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Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2009 1:05:33 GMT
Heyo, I recently purchases a Musashi brand Shirasaya, and have been very happy with it. Of course, like many of you here, I am a curious creature, and was wondering if it could be disassembled. There is only one mekugi, which seems to be bamboo. It is not loose at all. I worry that perhaps I would not be able to restore its current tightness should I disassemble it. The only loose part is the brass bit around the blade, the name of which I do not remember.
Any info on disassembling this sword or similar projects would be welcome.
Thanks! Komaru
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Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2009 1:14:10 GMT
Don't worry about the looseness of the peg. The larger end of the peg faces your palm when you hold the sword, so when you remove it, push on the smaller end of the peg and it should come out rather smoothly. After inspection, you can easily put it back together by doing the opposite. You can even make sure it goes back in tight and while the sword is dissasembled, you might also be able to fix that loose part! By the way, that part you're talking about is the habaki
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Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2009 1:38:42 GMT
Habaki, got it. As a Japanese major, I should probably learn these. My real concern is that perhaps there is an epoxy resin holding the nakako, I think it is, inside the Shirasaya tsuka. From how firm and tight the blade is, having used it for practicing kendo strikes, I wouldn't discount the possibility of the mekugi not being the only force at work.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2009 4:54:57 GMT
Keep in mind shirasaya are actually meant for storage and display, traditionally.
M.
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Post by kaijinbutsu on Oct 2, 2009 19:01:51 GMT
Habaki, got it. As a Japanese major, I should probably learn these. My real concern is that perhaps there is an epoxy resin holding the nakako, I think it is, inside the Shirasaya tsuka. From how firm and tight the blade is, having used it for practicing kendo strikes, I wouldn't discount the possibility of the mekugi not being the only force at work. I had the same shirasaya. They use epoxy to hold the habaki on. As far as the ho/tsuka be very careful when taking it off. The finish will chip where the koiguchi would be(if it had one). This happened to me, and I've seen others whom have this shirasaya as well, and they have the same chips.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 3, 2009 3:01:22 GMT
Habaki, got it. As a Japanese major, I should probably learn these. My real concern is that perhaps there is an epoxy resin holding the nakako, I think it is, inside the Shirasaya tsuka. From how firm and tight the blade is, having used it for practicing kendo strikes, I wouldn't discount the possibility of the mekugi not being the only force at work. I had the same shirasaya. They use epoxy to hold the habaki on. As far as the ho/tsuka be very careful when taking it off. The finish will chip where the koiguchi would be(if it had one). This happened to me, and I've seen others whom have this shirasaya as well, and they have the same chips. I'm one of those 'others' and let me tell you, protect that finish, it will chip. I have also contemplated a remount but not yet. It does not have epoxy inside the tsuka. Can't wait to see how your project comes out, keep us posted.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 3, 2009 6:48:52 GMT
having used it for practicing kendo strikes YIKES! that's not a good idea!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2009 6:41:19 GMT
having used it for practicing kendo strikes YIKES! that's not a good idea! I should clarify I'm not hitting anyone/thing with it when I do that. Just going through the motions to help build muscle and control. And I pay close attention to how well I can hold onto it. If these clarifications do not address your concern, I'm interested in what I may be missing. As for a remount, I haven't yet decided on that. I've got a spear in the works all ready and that will take up most of my time. If I DO remount it, it would be in a science fiction-esque mount, preferably with Kraton or such grips and some cords. I'd for for a very "tactical" look, like something The Operative from Serenity would use. Not sure how I'd do a tsuba in that case, but since it didn't have one to begin with, probably not a huge issue. Thanks for everyone's input. MY next question is, what tools should be used for disassembling it? Rather, how would I remove the mekugi. I have a huge assortment of tools available to me, and I can likely make anything I don't have.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2009 7:04:49 GMT
It doesn't matter if you are hitting anything or not, if the mekugi isn't sunk properly then it is dangerous, the fact that the shirasaya tsuka is not designed for that kind of stress makes it dangerous. Shirasaya are a way to store a blade and to not distract from the beauty of a blade, they are never intended to be used in any way. Use a proper japanese mekugi hammer to remove the mekugi.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2009 9:02:10 GMT
You can remove the tsuka by fixing the blade in a vice after removing the mekugi. Be sure to wrap the blade with something before it's fixed, I use a leather strap. The edge should face inwards for safety. The tsuka should be downwards, nearly to the floor. Place a small wood block on the top of the tsuka at the habaki and tap it gently with a hammer on either side. PS! I hope you aren't what your nickname says.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2009 17:21:29 GMT
I think he is, under his pic it says so.
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