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Post by kasim18 on Apr 14, 2012 22:41:43 GMT
I'm fairly new to katana collecting and i am at the very limits of my budget. :cry: i have dried bamboo and i was wondering if i could make my own mekugi? is there anything aside from cutting and shaping, any kind of sealing to be done? also, how quickly will they wear down and make the sword loose? do they really need to be changed whenever the sword is dasassembled? thanks in advance
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Post by ineffableone on Apr 14, 2012 23:13:23 GMT
Mekugi are not made from just any dried bamboo. Many people think they can get away with using bamboo chopsticks as mekugi but from www.toyamaryu.org/mekugi_replace.htmMekugi are not that expensive. $2 at Sword and Armory www.swordnarmory.com/Smoked-Bamboo-Mekugi-for-Japanese-Swords-2-Pc-p/z-mekugi.htmI bought some from an ebay vendor in the UK that have been working great. $1each + $2 shipping. www.ebay.com/itm/MEKUGI-FOR-JAPANESE-SWORD-/220534166410?pt=Asian_Antiques&hash=item3358dc538a He also sells 50 at $38 with free shipping. Raw 4 inch long piece of susudake for $25 at www.nihonzashi.com/diy_supplies.aspxAs for your question of do you need to change mekugi every time you disassemble your sword, no you don't. You only need to replace them if there is damage to them. If they are damaged you want to replace them immediately. Last thing you want it your mekugi to give way and your sword to wiggle inside your tsuka, this will cause damage to your tsuka and mean you will have to replace that. Much cheaper to replace the mekugi. If your mekugi are consistantly getting damaged then there is probably something wrong with your mekugi ana (the holes for your mekugi) either in the nakago (tang) or in the tsuka (handle) and this should be taken care of to stop mekugi damage see www.toyamaryu.org/mekugi_replace.htm for more info on mekugi inspection and correction of problems. Mekugi will wear out but they should last many months for a hard use sword, to many years with a sword that sees only occasional use. Hope this helps.
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Post by kasim18 on Apr 15, 2012 0:11:49 GMT
thank you sir, i'm glad to see they aren't all pricey. i had just looked at one site for $15 each about a month ago, $30 for 2 is too much for me but $3-4 total is just fine. my big concern was that i want to make sure my tsuka is not cracked and i wasn't sure if i had to order more first
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Post by kasim18 on Apr 16, 2012 19:55:55 GMT
ok i got the mekugi out (not fun, not easy, very tightly assembled). and the very next step has me stumped.my guide says to hold the sword in my right hand and hit my wrist to loosen it from the tsuka, my blade is stuck. i have tried hitting wrists, the tsuka and the tsuba. the polish is too smooth to grip with gloves? what am i missing? i just want to change my tsuba, is that so much to ask? :cry:
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Post by ineffableone on Apr 16, 2012 20:17:22 GMT
This happens on some new swords, usually due to drilling the mekugi ana with the tsuka on and then the metal shavings make the already tight tsuka difficult to remove. It can also be high humidity causing the wood to swell just slightly making it difficult to remove. There is a special tool made to help remove stuborn tsuka like this. See www.toyamaryu.org/katana_disassembly.htm for more about this. However we have a thread about this subject here on SBG forum.sword-buyers-guide.com/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=3623 and someone posted up some decent pictures and described how to make your own version, which really isn't too hard. Don't try the method of putting the sword between your legs and using your feet to push on the tsuba that one guy suggested from a video. That is a bad way, but creating a tool you can safely hammer on to work the tsuba and tsuka off is the way you want to go.
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Post by ineffableone on Apr 16, 2012 20:18:25 GMT
Here is a quote of the DIY removal tool
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Post by ineffableone on Apr 16, 2012 20:21:56 GMT
A decent video demonstrating a DIY removing tool in use. Hope this helps
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Post by Lobster Hunter on Apr 16, 2012 20:22:51 GMT
www.toyamaryu.org/katana_disassembly.htmIf you don't have a disassembly kit, you'll need to tap it off with a block of wood and hammer. Be sure to cover the blade with cloth just in case you accidently scratch it. Take it nice and easy... and slowly. It'll come off.
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Post by lamebmx on Apr 16, 2012 20:57:50 GMT
while its off, do yourself a favor and take a file to any metal burrs on the mekugi-ana in the nakago. It should come off with the wrist strike after that. also check for metal burrs stuck in the tsuka wood. you dont want to death grip the handle on the wrist stike either, that compression will work against it coming free. grip it firm enough to safely hold the sword, let the ito do the work of keeping your hand from moving on the handle.
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Post by ineffableone on Apr 16, 2012 20:59:15 GMT
Very good suggestions
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SanMarc
Senior Forumite
Posts: 3,193
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Post by SanMarc on Apr 16, 2012 21:53:18 GMT
Yep, get the Kit, I got one and it works great! Makes removing the tuska easy....
....SanMarc.
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Post by kasim18 on Apr 17, 2012 15:07:03 GMT
thank you guys so much. i'm gonna get the tools and get the stupid tsuka off. as of right now i have used all possible caution but i have still cut myself three times :cry: , this sword is definitely sharp. thank you for helping before i lost a finger
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Post by ineffableone on Apr 17, 2012 15:18:57 GMT
Sorry to hear you cut yourself a bunch. You can buy one of those tools or just as easily make your own like the pictures or the video I posted. Making your own will mean you have it a lot sooner and don't have to spend much money. The bought version will look nicer and be more traditional design. Either way, what matters is being safe removing your tsuka and not cutting your self more.
Don't worry things will get easier, as you get more knowledge and get used to your katana.
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Post by lamebmx on Apr 17, 2012 16:55:15 GMT
Please, do not attempt polishing before 2015 or purchase of a full chainmail suit. Whichever comes first of course.
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Post by kasim18 on Apr 17, 2012 17:12:32 GMT
it was actually three cuts from one slip. thanks for the reassurance, i can only hope
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