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Post by Neovenetar on Sept 20, 2011 16:27:37 GMT
I've had this idea in my head for a while now; What if you got some ito and wrapped the tsuka of a hanwei tactical katana or wak? I mean, with white ito it would look quite nice right? I was thinking I should try this when I buy one, anyone else ever tried? cause a pic to see what it looks like would be appreciated.
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Post by chrisperoni on Sept 20, 2011 16:37:13 GMT
I would at least want to reshape the grip before- bring it down a bit in size so the ito does not make it too bulky
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Post by Neovenetar on Sept 20, 2011 16:38:16 GMT
depends on the thickness of the ito
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Post by Hiroshi on Sept 20, 2011 16:46:01 GMT
Good quality ito is pretty much uniform in size. So guaranteed you would have to re-size the handle.
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Post by Elheru Aran on Sept 20, 2011 18:06:17 GMT
Yeah, you may even have to file down the full tang a bit. Not saying it's impossible-- it'd probably look quite nice, really-- but a.) the point of the original tac-kat was to NOT need ito as that's a potential point of failure (otherwise why have the 'battle wrap'?) and b.) it'll involve extra work. If you want to do it, go ahead by all means, though... I'd just glue it down or epoxy it in place if I were you, to make sure it won't come off or whatever.
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Post by Neovenetar on Sept 20, 2011 18:17:18 GMT
Well I suppose I can see when I try, maybe rather than buying ito, I'll use some kind of thinner material..... sailcloth time! Really, I want to make the sword look good and traditional to an extent, but still be tactical. anyways, if the ito fails, I shall take it off.
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Post by Kilted Cossack on Sept 20, 2011 20:09:32 GMT
Never let common sense get in the way of a good idea unless a) it'll cost you more than you can afford, or b) you figure it's likely to get you killed.
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Post by Neovenetar on Sept 20, 2011 21:01:45 GMT
Noooooo, the cotton will kill me! XD
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Post by steelhound on Sept 20, 2011 21:42:45 GMT
To help the ito stay in place along he edges of the grip, it might be a good idea to cut some strips of 3m anti-slip traction tape and put those along the edges before applying the ito.
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Post by chrisperoni on Sept 20, 2011 22:17:35 GMT
What if you ground out channels for the ito in the grip in the maki pattern? Countersunk ito??
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Post by steelhound on Sept 20, 2011 22:30:11 GMT
This is a good idea, but it will change the grips permanently so you have to be committed to keeping the ito on. Although it might wind up offering a good grip without the ito as well.
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Post by chrisperoni on Sept 20, 2011 22:37:04 GMT
I'll tell you this is a great feeling grip when I've seen it done with leather in between micarta (in alternating stripes). You just have to round the top edges of each channel a little so there is no sharp edge pressing into your hand.
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Post by Neovenetar on Sept 21, 2011 6:47:38 GMT
hmmm, I think rather than editing the handle, I could somehow make use of the holes in it to secure the ito. the countersunk ito would be pretty damned awesome, but it's too much work for me.
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Post by Student of Sword on Sept 23, 2011 7:44:41 GMT
How's about paracord wrap? Like Strider Knives. There are several interesting and attrative wraps using 550 cords.
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Post by Neovenetar on Sept 23, 2011 10:01:31 GMT
hmm, well maybe. But I have no idea where I can get some paracord!
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Post by chrisperoni on Sept 23, 2011 13:13:55 GMT
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Post by Student of Sword on Sept 23, 2011 14:04:54 GMT
You can buy them on Amazon or simply type "paracord" or "550 cord" on google. www.paracordmaster.com/www.paracord.com/They come in many colors and they cost a fraction of ito -- 25ft = $2.00. I bet if the pre-modern Japanese had paracord, they would use it.
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Post by Neovenetar on Sept 23, 2011 14:53:23 GMT
hmmm, I might just buy some, though I'll try with the materials I have at hand first
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Post by Larry Jordan on Nov 15, 2011 18:25:10 GMT
Barry Dawson for his Millennium series of tactical katana and waks has reduced the size of the handle (micarta panels) and then wrapped it. It is a very effective design (that "feels right"): It is not sunken into channels. It's epoxied on, as you might be able to tell from the last closeup.
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Post by Neovenetar on Nov 15, 2011 20:37:38 GMT
hmm a good idea, however now I'm not getting a tactical katana! XD
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