Mekugi
Jun 17, 2008 14:39:01 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2008 14:39:01 GMT
What do you use when you replace your mekugi (those little bamboo pegs in the handle)? Suggestions and comments would be greatly appreciated
I just deburred the mekugi ana (peg holes) of my new iaito and put it back together. I used the originals this time as they were in decent shape. However, they will not last forever, so thoughts of replacement parts lead me to a little research on the subject. I thought I would share since I didn't find much here when I searched. Hopefully, this can help another newer sword owner with sword maintenance.
Interestingly, I have learned that mekugi ana (peg holes) are not all the same. Supposedly, in an ideal world, all blades should have a smoothly tapered mekugi ana drilled through the nakago (tang) fitted with a precisely shaped cured bamboo mekugi (peg). On production blades this is not usually done. Some companies making katana drill straight through (hole sizes vary), while others (like Hanwei Paul Chen blades) have drilled the hole in a stepwise process to create a semblance of a taper. So obviously, when considering the replacement of your mekugi you need to know the size and shape of the mekugi ana on your blade, and be prepared to do some trimming and shaping.
Some acceptable materials for mekugi:
Susudake or Cured bamboo (expensive and time consuming)
Broken shinai (bamboo sparring sword)
Bamboo knitting needles
Good quality bamboo chopsticks (not the take out kind, as these are made of a softer bamboo)
Delrin
Resources and References:
Mekugi replacement:
www.nihonzashi.com/diy_mekugi_replacement.aspx
Excellent Info on the replacing of mekugi and shaping of mekugi ana (holes) on production katana.
On the making of mekugi:
www.shadowofleaves.com/mekugi_rods.htm
www.ausblade.com/images/articles/Bingo_Mihara_Shinken.pdf
pg 22
Sources for susudake (cured bamboo):
www.namikawa-ltd.co.jp/cgi-bin/item_e.cgi?cate=14&no=35
www.nihonzashi.com/sword_maintenance.aspx#Susudake%20‚·‚·’|
Precut mekugi:
www.swordsofmight.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=518
Delrin suppliers
www.usplastics.com
mcmaster.com
See this thread for info on mekugi replacement or skip the rants and read some of the relevant info I culled from the threads and copied below.
forums.swordforum.com/showthread.php?t=83935&highlight=mekugi+source:
forums.swordforum.com/showthread.php?t=86691
I'd consider instead, purchasing a chunk of aged and smoked bamboo from Nihonzashi (Mike Femal's e-store) and carving your own out. Another option is to acquire a good piece of Delrin and carve your mekugi out of that. Tough stuff.
Yet another and easier option is to go to a knitting store and buy an appropriately sized/oversized set of bamboo knitting needles and carving them down. Chopsticks are a bad option, though pieces from an old and damaged kendo Shinai are useful.
I purchased a bunch of premade mekugi from one e-tailer and wasn't able to use them. They were too small for all my swords. This is why I choose to make my own from oversize stock.
I just deburred the mekugi ana (peg holes) of my new iaito and put it back together. I used the originals this time as they were in decent shape. However, they will not last forever, so thoughts of replacement parts lead me to a little research on the subject. I thought I would share since I didn't find much here when I searched. Hopefully, this can help another newer sword owner with sword maintenance.
Interestingly, I have learned that mekugi ana (peg holes) are not all the same. Supposedly, in an ideal world, all blades should have a smoothly tapered mekugi ana drilled through the nakago (tang) fitted with a precisely shaped cured bamboo mekugi (peg). On production blades this is not usually done. Some companies making katana drill straight through (hole sizes vary), while others (like Hanwei Paul Chen blades) have drilled the hole in a stepwise process to create a semblance of a taper. So obviously, when considering the replacement of your mekugi you need to know the size and shape of the mekugi ana on your blade, and be prepared to do some trimming and shaping.
Some acceptable materials for mekugi:
Susudake or Cured bamboo (expensive and time consuming)
Broken shinai (bamboo sparring sword)
Bamboo knitting needles
Good quality bamboo chopsticks (not the take out kind, as these are made of a softer bamboo)
Delrin
Resources and References:
Mekugi replacement:
www.nihonzashi.com/diy_mekugi_replacement.aspx
Excellent Info on the replacing of mekugi and shaping of mekugi ana (holes) on production katana.
On the making of mekugi:
www.shadowofleaves.com/mekugi_rods.htm
www.ausblade.com/images/articles/Bingo_Mihara_Shinken.pdf
pg 22
Sources for susudake (cured bamboo):
www.namikawa-ltd.co.jp/cgi-bin/item_e.cgi?cate=14&no=35
www.nihonzashi.com/sword_maintenance.aspx#Susudake%20‚·‚·’|
Precut mekugi:
www.swordsofmight.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=518
Delrin suppliers
www.usplastics.com
mcmaster.com
See this thread for info on mekugi replacement or skip the rants and read some of the relevant info I culled from the threads and copied below.
forums.swordforum.com/showthread.php?t=83935&highlight=mekugi+source:
forums.swordforum.com/showthread.php?t=86691
I'd consider instead, purchasing a chunk of aged and smoked bamboo from Nihonzashi (Mike Femal's e-store) and carving your own out. Another option is to acquire a good piece of Delrin and carve your mekugi out of that. Tough stuff.
Yet another and easier option is to go to a knitting store and buy an appropriately sized/oversized set of bamboo knitting needles and carving them down. Chopsticks are a bad option, though pieces from an old and damaged kendo Shinai are useful.
I purchased a bunch of premade mekugi from one e-tailer and wasn't able to use them. They were too small for all my swords. This is why I choose to make my own from oversize stock.