$1.3 Million

[hso]

http://robbreport.com/paid-issue/21-ultimate-gifts-2013-blades-glory

Salter Fine Cutlery is proud to have been chosen for inclusion in the 2013 Edition of The Robb Report Ultimate Gift Guide.
A very special, one-of-a-kind gift offering. Please see 'The Robb Report' for more information regarding the unique nature of this set, including historical battle and folklore inspiration for the gift.
Unique motif engraved on blades of 2 pc samurai sword set by Shigemitsu Ito, acclaimed Japanese sword maker
Matching motif in Makai style gold inlay on both black lacquer and plain wood shirasaya storage sheaths
Tsuba (hilt) designed by Gregg Salter and Dan Panoz of Panoz Automotive Development in 18k plated gold and decorated with platinum Japanese Akoya pearls and jade
Sword handles decorated with 18k gold and highest quality Akoya pearls
Take-down stand of premium grade old growth rare, Hawaiian Koa wood
Custom Case of curly Hawaiian Koa wood with leather interior & hidden compartments by Dan Panoz
Battle scene case inlay hand-carved by famous Japanese Shinto shrine maker in traditional wood-block with gold foil
Salter Fine Cutlery and Panoz custom logos made in white gold
18k Gold decorative 'samurai' crabs represented throughout various items on the gift
Special matching motif engraving on small dagger and hairpin called the Kogatana and Kogai
All necessary traditional cleaning tools

 

[Deltaboy1984]

My goodness that is a lot of dough for that Steel.

 

[Outlaw Man]

For $1.3 million, does it come with your own Samurai warrior to wield them for you in battle?

 

[hso]

No, just a dictionary with ostentatious and pretentious missing.

No, wait! The potential buyers and Salter (and the Robb Report folks) already have that.

 

[Outlaw Man]

Mine used to have pretentious in it, but I ripped that page out because I'm too good for that.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

Huh...only $1,299,200 more than what I shelled out for one I bought for a brother of mine earlier this year.

Bugger! If I'd only known!

 

[perado]

Cute, but a little out of my price range.

 

[Tejicano Loco]

俺にしては高い!

(Too expensive for me!)

 

[hipoint]

I can't believe I am sullying myself by belonging to a forum where ownership of this fine piece isn't mandatory. I suppose slumming it up a bit with you cheeky fellows can be my bit of charity for the month.

 

[CA Raider]

you guys are in rare form on this one

CA R

 

[Madcap_Magician]

Wow, for that price I could buy 342 bainite L6 katana blades by ABS MS Howard Clark... or something like 40 fully mounted Rick Barrett custom katanas...

 

[Outlaw Man]

Is it really that rare for us, CA Rider?

 

[hso]

Real Edo Katana - $33,000 http://new.uniquejapan.com/pdf/14_Japanese_Sword_Catalogue_Unique_Japan_Sale.pdf

A MUSASHI DAIJO KOREKAZU KATANA
signed, edo period (shoho era: 1644~1648)
Inscription: (omote)
Location: Musashi, Edo (Tokyo)
Length (ubu): 68.7cm
Curvature: 1.8cm
Hamon: Daichoji Midare (large waves and cloves)
Certificate: NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon (a sword designated as Especially Worthy of
Conservation issued by the Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword)
Included: Vintage koshirae, shirasaya (magnolia scabbard), silk carry bag,
sword stand, maintenance kit, printed care guide, DVD and exportation services
¥3,200,000 (~$33,684)
Korekazu was one of the very greatest swordsmiths during the Shinto era (16th to 17th
centuries). Korekazu was a member of the Ishido School and eventually became the
finest swordsmith of the Edo Ishido School about 350 years ago.

 

[Sharpdogs]

Do they take PayPal?

 

[Outlaw Man]

Real Edo Katana - $33,000

That one actually looks cooler (and is probably a better blade), anyway.

 

[Vonderek]

yeah but that one doesn't have a gram of gold leaf on the tsuba.

 

[Outlaw Man]

True, but with the money you save, you could buy about 30,000 grams of gold.

Or a couple hundred gold-plated 1911s.

 

[Vonderek]

I guess I shoulda added an emoticon for my feeble attempt at dry humor.

 

[hso]

I got it.

BTW, I don't doubt the blade is excellent.

It is the rest of the gaudy crap that knots my gut.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

Hso, that Edo blade is fantastic, though. I wonder if I can scrounge $33,000 from somewhere.

If I recall correctly, Japan is actually kind of strict about historical blades leaving the country.

 

[lemaymiami]

Yes, there probably are a few that not only could afford such an offering, but might actually purchase it. The info I'd like to read about is the cost of materials and the labor required to make this matched pair. If I were asked to guess those particulars I'd place the money cost to complete and offer this entry at around 33% of the asking price.... Be glad to hear other opinions.

 

[TimboKhan]

Ug. Are there really Mall ninjas with that kind of money?

I read the Robb Report once in awhile to see how the other .01% lives, and it routinely strikes me that the rich have really, really bad taste. Serious question about this, and answer honestly: If you had the money to buy this, and could do so without it causing even a slight bit of change in your lifestyle or overall financial picture, would you?

I can tell you guys with all the truth that I can muster, I would not. I think it's safe to assume that I would have some awesome swords, and it might even be within the realm of reality that I could have that much or more wrapped up in a cutlery collection. What I wouldn't have is that sword. Ever.

I could sail around the world on my yacht while drinking Cristal out of goblets made of thousand-dollar bill micarta while shooting platinum double ought buck at naval drones and not feel the need for that gaudy, pretentious (though presumably perfectly made) sword.

 

[Sam Cade]

For 1.3 million dollars, the mekugi peg better be made from a shard of the one true cross and the blade quenched in a barrel of virgin's tears.

 

[Sam1911]

goblets made of thousand-dollar bill micarta

Well, heck, Sam...there's one we haven't tried!

 

[Rollis R. Karvellis]

I, picked up a really nice one at a pawn shop in El Paso.