Removing a false signature

To remove a signature is not something to be taken lightly.  A sword should be completely researched and even submitted to a shinsa before removing a signature from a sword.  I will not remove a signature just by the request of a client, more info will generally be needed before I do this type of work.

This is  not my favorite way  of removing a signature but is commonly done by smiths in Japan.  The signature is basically filed off and then a layer of rust is developed on the Nakago.  I feel that this method removes too much material from the Nakago but again is common to see done in Japan.

I removed this signature by pushing the metal together with a special hammer chisel technique. Afterwards the patina is restored and as you can see by the picture only a small amount of the nakago is worked on.  This is a much more difficult and time consuming way of doing but the end result is much less noticeable.