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Post by chrisperoni on Aug 7, 2011 15:52:03 GMT
Recently I've been talking about gilding, a.k.a. gold leafing, in a couple of different threads as I have tried it out for the first time just last week. A few of you were wondering about how durable the stuff is so I made a video last night for you.
Sorry for my rambling in the video- that's what happens when I make a video while I'm half asleep. Also, forgive the somewhat simplistic scratching tests as I really didn't plan ahead beyond fixing up a test piece- I just sort of grabbed some stuff I had lying around and tried to damage the leafing with it.
For those of you who don't care to watch the video, the upshot is that gold leafing looks great but is delicate. It's fine to handle provided you have laquered it but it will scratch rather easily so treat it with care. I'm sure it would work well on katana fittings such as highlighting parts of a tsuba or even on menuki before a rewrap- just don't expect it to last if you bang it up.
(fyi- this is not authentic gold- it's the imitation stuff)
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Post by LastGodslayer on Aug 8, 2011 12:00:49 GMT
Very through test Chris. Its a shame it isn't any more durable, but you're right it might work for a tsuba. I'm worried it might not work for a fuchi since handling the sword can put some friction on it. Still, thank you. Karma for you!
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Post by etiennehamel on Aug 8, 2011 19:35:26 GMT
i'm happy you made this test now i know i'd better not do it on my fuchi thanks!
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Post by chrisperoni on Aug 8, 2011 19:39:37 GMT
I'm not sure just how much wear the fuchi would get from handling. The leafing I did on my scabbard is holding up fine so far and I've been grabbing it by the gold parts as I stain the wood.... but with a strong grip and the forces/torque from swinging/cutting I just can't be sure if it would hold up.
It is easy to fix/cover a scratch with more leaf though.
Technically, isn't the correct grip of a katana supposed to be just below the fuchi anyway?
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Post by etiennehamel on Aug 8, 2011 20:13:55 GMT
you're right it's right under the fuchi but i'm still thinking that plating would be more appropriate and more beautiful a higo fuchi with some nickel or silver accent by plating, black same and green ito :drooling:
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Post by chrisperoni on Aug 8, 2011 21:18:16 GMT
Oh heck yes plating would be very cool indeed!
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