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Post by Deleted on Mar 14, 2010 6:56:02 GMT
So I had this idea for one of my cheaper katanas. I'm sure someone has thought of it before. I'm a Kumdo practitioner, and a ridiculous Star Wars fanatic. I'd REALLY love to find someone who could machine me a lightsaber style hilt for this blade. It's not a bad blade, but the furniture is horrendous (it was a gift). I figure the hilt would be done in two halves, custom machined to fit snugly on the nakago, bolted through the mekugi-ana and finally closed with another set of bolts. I think this would be just badass. Does anybody out there know of someone who could do this kind of work?
This idea has got me thinking a bit... I love traditional looking katanas, of course. But I'd love to see a company come out with some really good quality, usable blades mounted in a more modern style. The samurai and hwarang of old had their swords custom made with furniture that represented something about themselves. It seems to me that us modern day warriors who practice sword arts should feel compelled to do the same. I have seen a few things out there that lean in this direction... martialartswords.com has some really cool fittings, and there is another company (I cant recall the name) that has a skull themed katana available.
That leads me to other, more practical ideas as well... for example, in modern times, is it really necessary to have tsuka-ito to help with grip? I bet there are some better materials out there; there may be a better way to construct a hilt. I know to the purists and traditionalists these ideas might seem blasphemous... but as I said before, I do love traditionally mounted swords. But it's 2010, not the 1400's... for those of us who are martial artists, there might be a better way. Any other thoughts on this?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 14, 2010 7:01:32 GMT
Katana mounted with a light sabre hilt? It'd have to be done just right to not look like a tacky wallhanger, also you would need to think about how you keep the balance where you want it, because a machined hilt would be heavy and throw off your PoB which would then make the sword useless as anything but a wallhanger.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 14, 2010 7:06:57 GMT
yeah, you're absolutely right, it would be all too easy to muck it up and make it look cheesy. I'm not sure what kind of materials would be best, possibly carbon fiber?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 14, 2010 7:41:00 GMT
Eh. Carbon fiber'd probably be too lightweight if you're using the standard blade and nakago from an existing sword. Also, on a somewhat related note, carbon fiber's been done before for a "modern" katana, and I'm not a fan. Even at its best (and most expensive) it looks kinda dumb. www.petestacticalknives.com/swords.htmLots of makers have gone for more "modern" materials on grips for katana or katana-like swords. One of the most common ways is to beef up the nakago to get the balance right and to use a paracord overwrap for the grip. tinkerswords.com/swordarchive.htmlOr use various materials as scale grips over a beefier nakago, like micarta: www.swampratknifeworks.com/In the end, I think a lot of people stick with the tsuka-ito and 'normal' koshirae because (a) it represents a long and respected tradition (b) it works quite well, and (c) if it's done well, the end result is f*cking gorgeous (click on the picture twice): The lightsaber-handle's also been done before, but always in an idiotic manner: www.trueswords.com/samurai-3000-futuristic-katana-sword-p-3599.html............................................................................. HOWEVER, I think if you went about this project with care and level-headedness and removed any possible ounce of fanboyish "wouldn't that be EPIC!!" idiocy, this * could* be pretty cool if you pulled it off. Ryan and Dorkman of "Ryan vs. Dorkman" use aluminum shaped on a lathe and mill for their lightsaber hilts--I think that would be your best bet as far as decent weight with an existing blade. My $0.02 >>P.S.> Welcome to the forum! There's also a new members welcome wagon at the bottom of the main page if you want some personal hello's and a warm fuzzy feeling inside. /index.cgi?board=newmembers Glad to have you aboard.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 14, 2010 8:40:12 GMT
Good Lord, why am I still awake and/or thinking about this so intently?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 14, 2010 8:49:33 GMT
Yeah I've seen those samurai 3000 pieces. Not a fan. What I see in my head would be smoother and more elegant looking. I'd want to keep away from over doing elements that looked "techy" just for the sake of looking techy or futuristic. Obviously there would have to be a bit of that, or the whole lightsaber theme would kind of get lost in translation. But definitely no buttons or fake power cells or anything like that. And, as much as this would be just for fun, I'd still want to be able to use the sword, if not for cutting exercises, than at least for demonstrations, forms and such. And I agree with you 100% that traditional mountings are things of beauty... I'll always love them and I could never imagine a world where that wasn't the prevalent way. I do have great reverence for the rich history behind In fact, what I'm thinking of wouldnt even stray as far away from traditional as some of the examples you posted. Mainly, its in the styling of the fittings. But I've also wondered for a long time what could be done to improve on tsuka-ito. It's the bulkiness of the twists and how they feel in my hands that bugs me sometimes. Now, to be fair, I have never handled a high-end sword with a really really nice, low profile, genuine silk or leather ito. But on all the swords I own and have used, I've just wondered if there could be a way to have that attractive, beautiful look and have something that helps with grip, without the bulky feel in my hands. As for the cord wraps on some of those one piece tactical type swords, they probably work well for those kind of blades, but aren't much to look at. I would still want to keep the tradition of an aesthetically pleasing work of art. Thanks for the welcome too I've been visiting SBG for two years but finally decided to get in on a conversation on the forum here.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 14, 2010 9:48:19 GMT
Happy to help. 'S far as non-traditional materials with a traditional look, Kris Cutlery has some interesting methods on some good-looking swords. As I understand it, they use plaster-soaked guaze as an under-wrap instead of rayskin, color it black, and then wrap silk ito over it and finish it off with machined fittings: Of course, that won't help you if the bulk of the ito twists is what bothers you..... You know, you could always get a sword with a "battle wrap" like the Hanwei Raptor series, where the gripped area doesn't have the ito crossing over itself, it's just wrapped around tight: Also, those blades have simulated rayskin under the wrap and a synthetic seude-like material for the ito that is SUPER comfy in your hands if you're not hung-up on wanting traditional materials. Might be something to look into.
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Post by shadowhowler on Mar 14, 2010 13:26:46 GMT
As a side note... I LOVE Ryan & Dorkman... ;D
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Post by Deleted on Mar 16, 2010 17:32:12 GMT
I know few if any agree with me, but I love my Samurai 3000 Katana, the heavier than usual cast aluminum handle does make the sword feel lively in the hand, and it sharpened up to be one of my sharpest swords ;D It cuts through bottles like a...Lightsaber! I don't cut anything heavier than bottles or milk jugs with it. If I got to have a custom Katana built for me, I would definitely have a Kraton handle molded around the tang. Kraton is the best handle material of all in my opinion I would also let a little bit of the tang stick out past the Kraton, kind of like these swords that I have a set of budk.com/Swords/United-54-Full-Tang-Samurai-Swordthese have a very interesting non-traditional kind of handle. These swords also sharpened up real nice and make great cutters ;D
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2010 5:41:05 GMT
I'm a HUGE fan of the raptor series, and in fact, that particular model you posted could very well be my next sword. But I always say that about a cool sword I see, then remember that the one sword I want more than anything else on the planet is SBG's Kuramono with a fullered blade. It will be mine. Oh yes. It will be mine. I actually got some inspiration looking at some of the Storm Shadow replica swords available out there. If I could figure out and get my hands on the right materials, there's an idea I have in my head that I think would really work. On the subject of handles and comfort, I own one of the swords from the musashi line that includes the Bamboo model that Paul just recently reviewed. The ito on that is quite comfortable. I think part of this is a sociopathic need inside me to take whatever I'm involved in and create my own thing out of it. lol. But also, The spirit of my particular martial arts tradition is change, adaptation, and improvement. My school is descended from the Jidokwan, one of the original Korean schools that later unified to become taekwondo. We also have a full Hapkido and full Kumdo curriculum. The reason for this is that the Jidokwan, while adhering to the requirements for taekwondo curriculum, advocates and encourages constant adaptation in the interest of making sure that the art remains relevant in todays world. Maybe that spirit is just in me so deeply that I'm always seeking ways to improve on every aspect of my training. If there is a way to make a sword that handles better and feesl more comfortable, I want to find it.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2010 7:55:35 GMT
Here ya go; have your first karma for posting this thread! ;D *EDIT* Okay, now that I've got my giggles out, I'll actually make a post. First of all, welcome to the forum! ;D There are actually skull fittings that are traditional, as they have their roots in Buddhism. Even the skull and bones menuki stemmed from this. Don't ask me how I know this. I take it you've never had the opportunity to try out Tsunami ito? It's a modern synthetic made to look like suede, and it feels nicer to the hands than anything I've handled. Leather isn't bad, but besides Tsunami, I like cotton and silk. As many color options, fitting options and customizers there are out there, it isn't difficult to make a sword your own. Many of my swords have a personal touch of some sort, and most are slated for complete refits. I like to personalize my blades; that way, they don't look like every other sword on the market. I think a lot of the problem with the 'bulky ito' is that you haven't had the opportunity to handle a sword with a properly trimmed and waisted tsuka. There is really no comparison, and the ito never feels bulky on a proper tsuka. when both the tsuka and the ito are done right, the sword handles like a dream. Love the Raptor Nabokucho. I'd love to get one, tear it apart and rebuild it! I'm sure you could find somebody to mold you a handle. You may want to consider some of the options other posters have given you. Me, while I love making a sword my own, I still like to keep it mostly traditional. Good luck!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2010 18:10:44 GMT
well, the tsuka on my musashi is actually quite nicely waisted. (especially for an $80 sword!) I've thought about giving it a rewrap with synthetic silk to make it more comfortable, but I can just about imagine the nightmare I'd be getting myself into, not having any experience. I know there is a guy who works for sword-n-armory that will do a handle wrap, but that would involve sending my sword off and I don't trust the postal service . Speaking of my musashi, I'm having a slight problem with it. I'm gonna post the question in the repairs thread too, but you guys are all so darned nice I figured I'd ask you first The problem is the habaki,. or something to do with it. It seems to slip ever so slightly up the blade when I take a few swings, making the seppa beneath it wiggle round a little bit. So I typically just tap it down with my brass awl and hammer. It only seems to slip up to a certain point, maybe 1/16th of an inch (probably even less) and it really isnt that big of a deal other than that it annoys the living s%&! out of me. But for that reason, and also because I don't know if there is an underlying problem, I wanna fix it. I've never disassembled the sword. Karma points for all of you for getting in on my silly lightsaber hilt idea
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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2010 14:31:01 GMT
Funny idea... and possibly very interesting ! Perhaps you should go for an "early lightsaber" or " protosaber" look. Like these or better, this one. Granted, these "Expanded Universe" thingies don't have as much "Holy Original Trilogy" mojo as Luke's lightsaber from Ep. IV, but - pardon the apostasy - I find them better-looking than the very "tubular" lightsabers seen in the Original Trilogy (or in the prelogy). It also seems to me that they would be at less a risk of looking tacky, if mounted on a katana blade. Anyway, good luck with that project !
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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2010 2:17:44 GMT
oh dude, the EU is where all the good stuff is at!!!
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