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Post by Frank on May 31, 2012 16:59:19 GMT
Hi, I happened to see this demonstration of how to tie a tsuka ito and the end result looks really nice. I wouldn't mind using this method myself, but I can't follow along. My result looks nothing like this person's. For one, I get zigzags along the sides of the hilt, rather than solid ito. Does anyone know this style and have a diagram of how this works? Also, it would be nice if it included the method of using the paper strips to get the placement right. My triangles are not quite even. A similar method would be fine; something easy. With two menuki. Thanks.
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Post by Lobster Hunter on May 31, 2012 17:57:19 GMT
It appears the video you linked shows how they do the tsukamaki for Ryansword. Under 6 minutes to do a whole tsuka... wow, that's pretty impressive. I like the hook method he uses for doing the end knots. I hadn't seen that before. The only downside to the method shown is that the ito crossovers don't alternate and the wrap looks tight enough to look good but not tight enough to stand the rigors of use. You'll want to take your time and get that ito to wrap around super tightly. This video has been very informative. Thanks for posting. Here's a tutorial that frankthebunny made that should help: forum.sword-buyers-guide.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=6825
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Post by Frank on Jun 1, 2012 1:05:47 GMT
I haven't seen your video yet, but one thing I found that works nicely for that hook method for the end knots (I actually was able to do that part pretty well): Chinese food box handles. They are a little weak, but they can be shaped to do the job pretty well.
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Post by Lobster Hunter on Jun 1, 2012 2:33:15 GMT
Hmm... interesting. As it happens, I've found that wooden chop sticks are very useful for a number of katana maintenance tasks. You can cut one at a angle to make a chisel tip for tucking in ito ends, cut the skinny end off to make a peg that you can hammer to remove the mekugi with minimal damage, glue on a thin strip of sand paper to one for sanding inside the koiguchi of your saya... etc. You just have to order some Chinese take out and you've got some basic sword tweaking tools. Nice.
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Post by Kumdoalan on Jun 1, 2012 10:37:47 GMT
the odd part about that video....the car horns.
I mean , in my whole life I have used my car horn only once to warn a parent their child was running out into the street.
yet there is a constant use of the horn some places?
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slav
Senior Forumite
Posts: 818
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Post by slav on Jun 1, 2012 13:50:34 GMT
Here's a video I made that shows the basic technique more clearly: Now, to get an ideal wrap job, there is more to it than what I did. You should clamp your ito, use hishigami, etc... But if you want to know the basic motions of what you do with the ito, I hope my vid helps.
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Post by whitefeathers on Jun 1, 2012 19:58:22 GMT
What I cant believe is how FAST it was done even with the the diamonds small and even.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2012 21:51:46 GMT
A regular symphony of auto horns! I thought it was going to break out into the Star Wars theme. :lol: And I bet when the knot lets go... It will unravel at light speed. This gal is fast because she is getting paid by the piece and has 1000's under her thumbs. Bet she could deal out a mean pinch.
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Post by Frank on Jun 2, 2012 3:47:50 GMT
Yes lots of horns. Must be a big city. I assumed NY, but maybe China in some city? Lol funny to hear people saying it takes an hour to do one (in the one tutorial posted), when this was one of the first I'd seen. I actually had seen Slav's video also. Makes my attempts much more understandable.
Despite these tutorials I simply can't figure out where to start the first twist. If I do it very slowly, I can fold over the ito so that it makes a 45º angle, then fold it again so that it runs horizontally again. That seems to make the most sense. But these tutorials don't really show that (slav's sort of does). And what happens to work most practically, is just twisting. I'll post my first attempt with my final ito soon. My main problem is my diamonds are too close to the edge of the handle. Is this helped with the little pieces of paper?
Good idea on the chopsticks, Lobster.
FYI I found that eyebrow tweezers for plucking hairs work nicely for pushing the ito under the previous triangle.
I have two menuki that I might like to use; they have small, 3 mm pegs in the back. Should I cut those off for a sword with no peg holes for those?
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Post by Lobster Hunter on Jun 2, 2012 5:56:58 GMT
Yup, using hishigami (paper wedges) will definitely help you keep the diamonds small and close to the center. It also helps if you use some double-side tape on the spines of the tsuka core and a clamp. The "folding" action as opposed to simply twisting is important if you want your crossovers to have a clean shape. The whole process, including the time it takes to make the hishigami, takes me several hours. It's kind of a pain but well worth the effort. Good luck!
Edit: As for those menuki pegs, you could either start the ito wrap, figure out the exact placement of the menuki and cut holes into the rayskin or just file them down. It should be fine either way.
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slav
Senior Forumite
Posts: 818
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Post by slav on Jun 2, 2012 6:29:16 GMT
Frank,
It's more of a double-folding action than an actual twist.
Starting out, it helps to lay your ito across the tsuka straight. Then pin it to the tsuka with your off thumb just off-center. Keep it pinned with your off hand while you make your first fold with your other hand. Now you can make your first 45 degree angle fold without having the diamond creep out toward the edge of the handle. Hishigami definitely helps and I recommend always using it. The easiest way is to just cut triangles out of thick card stock.
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