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Post by Deleted on Jun 21, 2009 16:03:04 GMT
Hello folks, I can't seem to quit messing with my blades so here is another one for you to critique. As this is a learning process I welcome your comments, good or bad. My goal is to someday give Ichiban a run for his money since he's an everyday guy like myself and not a professional but does incredibly professional work. He has inspired me, like he has inspired many others. Materials: Kaze Ko-Katana-- from P. Southren Ito-- black and gold silk from shadowofleaves Same-- black, from a local boot making supply company Fittings-- Mon theme from ebay Tsuba-- Mokko in turbulent wave theme, from japan          The tsuba is my favorite part. Got it from a friend in Japan from his personal collection. Shakudo with gold dots, circa 1850. It did not include any certifying papers so I cannot be sure. Irrelevant to me since I am very satisfied with it. As I said, I welcome your comments. Thanks for viewing. Troy/Shoboshi |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 21, 2009 16:15:44 GMT
By the way.............
Happy Father's Day to all.
If you are not a father, I highly recommend you go and practice the steps immediately preceeding the 9 month waiting period!
If you are already a father, Congrats! Now go try again without the Ooops!
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Post by shadowhowler on Jun 21, 2009 19:33:20 GMT
Very, VERY nice... I like, and I'm not a fan of gold or yellow and I still like it. Very attractive.
+1
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Post by Deleted on Jun 21, 2009 21:37:11 GMT
I'd say you're giving me a pretty good run for the money already! That's an awesome customization, I've actually thought of the exact same myself... the black/gold ito from Shadows, the mon fuchi/kashira from Hypercafe... you beat me to it! The tsukamaki is nice and even. I almost cried when I saw the tsuba, it's almost like one of my favourites and one I've been trying to get hold of for a while. Im mighty envious of you now, it really adds to the sword!  If I should critizise anything it's the choice of seppa, I would go with a pair of brass seppa with whole ridge. I would also shaved the tsuka a little bit to get the fuchi in line with the ito, but that's no big deal. The fittings from Hypercafe are very small. If you want a simple decoration on the saya that goes with the fittings, you can use my trick and order two or six of these makie kamon stickers from Japan and put one on each side about right between the end of the sageo and the tip, or three on each side with equal distance down the saya. They stick really well and are made of laquer, not plastic.  www.strapya-world.com/products/32330.html And +1 to you! |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 21, 2009 21:57:45 GMT
Shadow-- Thanks man. I appreciate that. Can't say I'm a great fan of the black and gold myself. I bought the ito for a different project and it was just sitting there waiting to be put to use. When I got the fittings, it seemed like a natural match. Wish I could say I visualized this all in my head before I ever started but my head just isn't that big. I am very happy with the way it all turned out though.
Ichiban-- Thanks for the compliments. Means a lot coming from someone of your accomplishment. A matching Mon on the saya was an idea I also had to finish it out. Now if I do it, everyone will think it was your idea! Well, that's okay. I'm not too big a man to accept guidance from someone with more experience.
On the seppa, I agree. I just went with what I had. I was thinking of smoothing the edge out and bringing it in closer to the fuchi, but some brass ones would likely look good too.
Thanks for the link. Sure I will make good use of that. Was thinking of having my father-in-law, a painter, put the mon on, but it might be a couple years sooner if I just buy the stickers, if you know what I mean.
Again. Thanks to everyone.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 21, 2009 22:08:34 GMT
Ichiban-- Actually I did shave the tsuka down. Since its a Cheness and already fairly slim, I didn't want to go down too much and risk weakening it, since this isn't a wall hanger and I like to cut with it. Compounding that, I did a full wrap, so I couldn't quite get it down where I wanted it. Live and learn. I was actually trying for smaller diamonds but that silk was pretty stretchy and there was just no way to make it happen. Does all silk stretch that much? I had about 6 ft left over from 15. I did my best to make them as even as I could. It's a semprini over the menuki. But overall, I'm pleased. I really, really like the tsuba too. You probably will cry if I told you I traded twenty dollars of leather decorated with about 8 hours of labor for it, so I won't tell you.  |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 21, 2009 22:30:14 GMT
Silk is very stretchy. I used 12ft on my last 11" tsuka, and ended up with two 1,5 inch bits. The only way to make small diamonds with silk is to make and place the hishigami to the diamond shape you want, the ito follows the hishigami. The shoelace ito diamonds can be made small and quadratic because the ito is stiffer than silk. And no, I ain't crying. If you traded it for a piece of decorated leather, it means you must have done a very, very good job on the leather! If you had only paid a hundred bucks or two, then I would have cried. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 21, 2009 23:14:39 GMT
You have an eye for detail, but that's what makes you good at what you do. I appreciate all your input. 9 ft is what I ended up using too. I read your thread on hishigami and it was excellent. Not sure I'm ready for that but I do intend to give it a whirl at some point. Maybe when I mount my full size Kaze.
By the way, how in the world did you find those cool stickers in such an obscure place?! Never would have found them in a million years where you did but they are just the ticket to finish out the saya. Thanks. +1.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 21, 2009 23:49:14 GMT
He-he, pure accident I came upon those stickers. I was trying to find info on maki-e laquering technique when I found out that the japanese actually had started to produce maki-e stickers out of laquer to easily decorate items. I guess this is the only shop selling them outside Japan. The kamons was actually added quite recent, and may sell out soon. I see Lohman is selling similar, but I believe they are made out of vinyl, and can't be comparable in detail and looks. These are really nice, and the price is not too bad. If the saya is going in and out o fan obi, I would recommend covering the saya with a layer or two of clear laquer. I recently put two such kamons ona tanto saya, and it really made a difference.  When I see how well you perform without hishigami, I'd definetly recommend you to use them. For me it was the difference between a mediocre tsukamaki and a tsukamaki I was contempt with for the first time, at the same level of skill. The 30 minutes you use once you get the hang of it is definetly worth it! |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2009 1:44:41 GMT
Thanks for posting that pic. It really does look great and give the project all sorts of character.
You've talked me into the hishigami. Partly because I really like the feel of a silk ito. Partly because I try to learn from others mistakes. You were just learning at some point too and if that's what you do now, then I need to step up. Then there is the fact that whether anyone thinks I did a good job with my tsukamaki or not, I'm not satisfied with it.
I look forward to seeing more of your work. I think you've got this customization itch even worse than I do and I've got it really bad. All sorts of projects lined up in my head, if not already underway.
That was one badass naginata you did. So impressed with that. Thinking of doing one myself at some distant future point. Hard not to when the price of that blade is so good. Maybe a naoshi. Not sure.
Thanks again.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2009 20:00:59 GMT
wow that looks great, nice customization job there. Especially if that is your first try. Really inspires me to want to try something like this some day. Hmmm Keep up the good work and good inspiration guys. LOL
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Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2009 0:58:41 GMT
Gman-- Thanks. I really learned a lot on this project and am pretty happy with the way it turned out.
It is my second custom. I did a PK Elite with some interesting same. Take a look and let me know what you think.
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