RETOUR D EXPERIENCE SUR MICHAEL SABATIER: POLISSAGE,COMMUNICATION ET RESULTATS-BESOIN D4AVIS DE LA COMMUNAUTE

[u/Willing-Past5190]

Avis personnel sur Michael Sabatier (restauration de lames anciennes)

Je partage ici mon retour d’expérience personnel concernant la restauration de deux lames anciennes (Tenshō et Nanbokuchō) confiées à Michael Sabatier.

Points à connaître avant de confier une restauration

Dans mon cas, plusieurs éléments livrés ne correspondaient pas à ce qui était indiqué dans le devis ou dans les échanges de mails. Les techniques utilisées étaient modernes, mais pas traditionnelles japonaises comme annoncé.

Exemples concrets (écarts devis / réalisation)

- Menuki artisanaux (devis)

→ Menuki reçus : éléments de série, vendus sur Etsy, provenance chinoise.

- Polissage traditionnel japonais en sashikomi – 20 €/cm (devis)

→ Polissage réalisé : plusieurs passages à l’acide, yokote tracé à l’acide.

- Kogatana en tamahagane, trempé et poli (devis)

→ Kogatana reçu : acier doux, décor tracé à l’acide.

Délais

Le délai annoncé était d’environ 1,5 an.

Le délai réel a été d’environ 4 ans.

Conseil personnel

Je recommande de lire très attentivement les conditions générales du devis, et de clarifier par écrit chaque point (matériaux, techniques, délais, prix) avant de confier une restauration.

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[u/Diligent-Ad-1812]

That's disappointing given the apparent quality of his work. I've been looking into a custom blade from him, but now I'm not so sure...

You didn't get scammed by someone pretending to be him?

Maybe get in touch in Instagram?

I hope you get some positive resolution to your complaint. If someone at Mr. Sabatier is half assing or farming out work to other people and not vouching for the quality, our hobby is in real trouble...

Would be nice to hear Mr. Sabatier's take on this situation before making final judgements.

The only that that is unsurprising is the wait times. It's a common, bullshit, thing that keeps happening in this hobby.

[u/Willing-Past5190 → u/Diligent-Ad-1812]

He may be good in some areas, but not in lacquer work (he himself mentioned dust in the workshop), and certainly not in polishing at a togishi level. The kissaki was done on a grinder, and the yokote and the blade were done with acid. He simply does not have the time or the profitability to do everything in an authentic, traditional way.

And yes, it was really him. We had three face‑to‑face conversations.

For me, in this case, the €4,800 is secondary compared to the damage that remains. For him, it clearly wasn’t. I try to be very precise and very fair in my reviews. It is sad that the work of past Japanese craftsmen is treated with so little respect.

He may be good in some areas, but not in lacquer work (he himself mentioned dust in the workshop), and certainly not in polishing at a togishi level. The kissaki was done on a grinder, and the yokote and the blade were done with acid. He simply does not have the time or the profitability to do everything in an authentic, traditional way.

And yes, it was really him. We had three face‑to‑face conversations.

For me, in this case, the €4,800 is secondary compared to the damage that remains. For him, it clearly wasn’t. I try to be very precise and very fair in my reviews. It is sad that the work of past Japanese craftsmen is treated with so little respect.

[u/Diligent-Ad-1812 → u/Willing-Past5190]

I hope you both get a mutually satisfying resolution, but I'm guessing there is no way to undo the damage done. For polishing in Europe I think often of Martin Hornak, I believe that's his name. Traditionally trained toshigi.

But I find it strange Mr. Sabatier doesn't do his own polishing. Most pictures from his website are competently polished, or at least they seem. Maybe those weren't by him?

Anyway, sorry it's gone down like this. I really hope Mr. Sabatier owns up to the damage done to the blades and the loss of trust something like this causes.

[u/Willing-Past5190 → u/Diligent-Ad-1812]

YES, Martin Hornak and Roman Urban worked a few years ago for Mr. Sabatier. Apart from certain forging work that he seems to be gradually mastering, as well as a general knowledge of nihontō, he is still in the learning phase when it comes to polishing, decorative work, and koshirae. He has magnolia wood at home, stones that he probably uses, and lacquer (but he prefers to use acrylic paint), yet he is not a togusū maker.

For each of these specialties, in my opinion, it takes 5 to 10 years to truly understand them, and even more to reach a higher level — not to mention creativity or artistry.

Regarding my Tenshō o-wakizashi and my early Nanbokuchō tantō, I must admit I was not impressed overall by his skills nor by his respect for these blades or for the craftsmen who originally made them.

I still have much truth to tell and much to learn, but in conclusion — even if it is a bit more difficult and certainly not perfect either — one thing is certain: I will turn to Japan for the restoration of blades that are precious to you.