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When you make a first choice of Nihonto, I suppose you will be unable to decide it easily. Not only Japanese Sword but all sorts of antiques are necessary to have a deep and proper understanding by come in contact with as many works as possible. But it seems that many people find difficult in seize every opportunity to see and touch the actual Nihonto.
So here is our guidance to initiate into the world of Japanese Sword. Our pleasure if this helps you in any way.

Wakizashi and Tanto

For biginners, Wakizashi and Tanto are much easier to handle than long sword "Katana". The maintanace is to get rid of old oil and put new oil to prevent blade from rust. It maybe a little difficult for beginners to maintain a long sword "Katana" without any accident such as cutting hand or breaking a tip of sword. On that point Tanto and Wakizasi are easier to manage as a whole for most people. When it comes to the price, there might be a gap between reality but the Wakizashi and Tanto are relatively cheaper. For one thing the nakago is usually shortened to answer the needs of the times or to get rid of damaged part. This could be a reason of low price compared to works that remains its original form what we call "ubu-nakago".

About polish

Rusted swords are selled in low price because of a cost-reduction, this does not matter if the rust can be gotten off easily. But it is difficult to imagine the condition underneath the rust that the fatally flaw might be hidden which is beyond polishing or any other method. For example, crevice made in the forging process is different from rust. It is considered a part of hadame but when you find those crevice too big, that makes the blade faulty.
So we would never suggest beginners to buy unpolished swords unless it has completely guaranteed by a seller.

Style

In koto times(before Edo period), there were definite differences came out from five main areas, which are Yamato, Yamashiro, Bizen, Sagami and Mino. "Gokaden" is a generic term for them. Make-up of the jigane, formation of hamon and tempering method are all on a firm basis of each.
After the Shinto times(since Keicho years) set in, the differences were no longer related to areas but many schools established a independent style. And this tendency continued since then.
And there exists swordsmiths live in nowdays. Only those people inherits the traditional making method formally are recognized professional swodsmiths. You may be able to become a first owner of a sword and are possible to order a particular sign to put in tang(nakago) that your name will remain as long as the sword exist.
To consider where to put a point of reference is very important thing to think about. In art world, there are as many ways as the number of people who enjoys it.

Find a trustworthy judge

Where you buy Japanese swords seems to be quite important thing for newcomers. Japanese swords are mostly selled in stores specialized in its field, sometimes seen in souvenir shops for tourists but hardly seen in a picture gallery or general antique shops even if they deal Japanese traditional pictures or other Japanese antique goods. That is because swords are not only a expression of beauty but needs good study what the swords tells us, the times that those had been through. And through those times, numbers of them had been shortened and changed their shapes and lack sign of maker. So the judgement has always took important part in this world since Muromachi times. The price of swords are based on several factors such as workmanship, name value, condition and so on. Judgement of each factors reflects in its price directly. That is why you should ask an expert in the field before you buy anything.
And also, we will suggest you to buy from shops where they have a list price opened to the public and make sure that they will take care of after-sales service. Swords never changes itself but altered by people who deal in it, so you must try to develop your powers of observation against surroundings not to make the wrong decision.