The Japanese Sword Index - Every link page should begin with the granddaddy of them all, Dr. Rich Stein's Japanese Sword Index. This is the starting place for anyone seeking to learn about Japanese Swords online, and is hands down the most comprehensive resource available.

Japanese Sword Society of the United States - A good organization that has a good newsletter. They are also hosting the Nihonto Knowledge Base, an application I wrote to help with online smith research. This is the national organization that I recommend new collectors to join in preference to the other choices available.

Jim Kurrasch - Jim (lately passed away) gives a dissertation here in plain talk, no holds barred, about buying swords. He spares no mercy for those that will try to market your dollars out of your pocket and into theirs. In all, it is useful and put into the context of his experience, and everyone should read this before buying their first blade. And once again further down the road.

Nihonto Message Board - Brian Robinson's discussion board, a great place for new people to come online and ask questions and get the benefit of community wisdom... all without having someone stick a thumb in your eye for having asked a newbie type question. Ebay talk is not allowed.

Nihonto Kanji Pages - Rich Turner's most excellent reference on kanji used for swords and tosogu. A great resource for anyone who wants to learn to read inscriptions, it is organized to economize your efforts at learning the most important kanji.

Bladeshark - Excellent resource for getting started with reading kanji characters on swords.

Robert Benson - Bob Benson is a sword polisher and dealer in Hawaii that I often deal with. He and his wife Rita are straight shooters.

Grey Doffin is a long time collector who also has some good videos around about sword care. He's also contributed to some of the good free research materials at the JSSUS with his Index of Japanese Sword Literature.

Modern Tosho - Ted Tenold and Keith Larman run this commercial site devoted to high end work by modern Japanese swordsmiths working in traditional styles.

Alf Tan - Serving the underserviced segment of the sword market, Alf Tan's site has lower priced items and bargains a plenty.

Bugei - If you're interested in a modern made blade for cutting practice, Bugei has a good selection of swords made inspired by Japanese techniques which are robust, and appropriate for sporting use and very effective cutters.

Legacy Swords - Ted Tenold is a sword polisher and maintains his services as well as some antique swords for sale on his own website.

Moses Beccera - Moses Becerra is a sword polisher and dealer in New York. He has shown me swords he's polished, and they have been treated excellently.

Andy Quirt - Andy has some very fine blades on his site, and has access to high end Juyo Token. If you're looking for some important blades, have a look here.

Fred Weissberg - A dealer in California, active in the Northern California Japanese Sword Society.

Japan Sword - A Japanese site run by the Inami family. Friendly and good people, I often recommend people to go to them if in town, or in need of services inside Japan. They have treated those I've sent very well.

Satcho - Michael has a very broad selection of Nihonto related books, ships quickly and is a joy to work with.

Aoi Art - Aoi specializes in well priced pieces usually on the low end, but will sometimes have a great high end piece pop up.