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Post by egumpher on Jan 20, 2013 20:36:13 GMT
Hello all, I'm new to Katanas and I am eager to learn proper methods of practice. My first Katana is a Paul Chen Hanwei Practical XL Katana - SH6000XPF. I've had this Katana about one week now and so far I have learn and practiced proper grip and just stared to swing the sword. I know that this Practical XL uses a lower grade Tsuka and I am OK with that but I notice that the Same close to the Tsube moves down after moderate swings. It is easy to move the wrapping back up the handle but: 1. Can/ should I glue the Same to the wood handle? 2. Do more traditional Tsuka's hold up better to aggressive swinging? A bit about me: I was involved with the martial arts from 1979t ot 1985 (Taekwondo) , and 1992 to 1994 (kick-boxing). I still stretch to stay limber but don't train. I want to start Kendo soon. Thank you for your interest and this wonderful site. Best regards Eric
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Jan 20, 2013 21:22:05 GMT
Welcome to SBG! Hmm, the ito sounds like it is very loosely wrapped if it's all sliding around like that. Yes, you can glue the samegawa, and I'd suggest you do so. It should have already been glued from the factory. You can do so by removing the tsuka, lifting the fuchi(collar at the top of the tsuka) and slipping some glue under the samegawa panel. It's not ideal, but it'll keep it from moving around. Ideally, you should remove the ito, secure the samegawa, and then re-wrap the ito so that it doesn't slip. It's a pretty big pain to do so, though, and you can't be assured of a good, tight wrap if you are not practiced in doing so. If you want to try, here is a great tutorial on it. forum.sword-buyers-guide.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=6825If you want to get it done, the author of the tutorial, frankthebunny, is a greatly gifted customizer, and doesn't charge you the sometimes outrageous rates other customizers do. You could shoot him a PM. Hope this helps, and be sure to post any questions that may occur to you, and congratulations on your new sword!
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Post by egumpher on Jan 20, 2013 22:00:54 GMT
Thanks Adrian....I appreciate the guidance...being a new-bee I don't want to make it worse or get in over my head with the Tsuka so I will start off by applying some glue under fake samegawa. I was thinking about using a syringe to inject glue where needed.
Thanks again Eric
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Jan 20, 2013 22:07:38 GMT
No problem. One of my first katana had a very loose wrap as well, and I removed the ito to re-wrap it. Long story short, it remained unwrapped for many months until I sent it in to get done by a pro, hahaha.
Hadn't thought of a syringe to inject glue before, but it sounds like it could work out well. Let us know how it goes. You shouldn't need much.
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Post by johnwalter on Jan 21, 2013 13:39:35 GMT
Welcome to the forum.Thats a good first sword.Pretty sure I still have pk XL.
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Post by egumpher on Jan 22, 2013 23:03:36 GMT
Hello and thank you for the warm greeting.
Does your Tsuka wrapping move down the handle (probably 1/16 to 3/32 inch) exposing the wood after moderate to aggressive swings?
Just check-in.....I don't know if this is normal because I've never done this stuff before....
Thanks Eric
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Post by lamebmx on Jan 22, 2013 23:42:28 GMT
Some may have to do with grip. As I became more comfortable , being more sure of my grip and stopped over powering the swing stock wraps lasted longer. Can you wiggle the diamonds or do they feel really firm?
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Post by egumpher on Jan 23, 2013 1:31:34 GMT
Thanks for the reply....I appreciate it...
Well.....I have to admit that I am a mechanical engineer with over twenty years experience.....so wiggle is a little subjective but that's OK...
Yes, I can grasp the twisted section of wrapping between the tips of the diamond between my index finger and thumb and move the wrapping up and down approximately 1/32 of an inch (.032-inch) but the wrapping springs back (does not take a set or move permanently into a position).....so yes....its wiggly......not rigid.....but then again I don't want a overly rigid (painful) wrapping...
Thanks again.....
still figuring this out Eric
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Post by johnwalter on Jan 23, 2013 4:50:22 GMT
Thanks for posting this,it reminded me I have an XL,lol. It could do a little with your grip.But the ito Hanwei uses on that model and the Raptors isnt the best of quality and isnt wrapped very well.Even when it is,that ito stetches and loosens just enough to slide down the tsuka a bit.You could laqcuer the entire tsuka which would help aleviate the problem,but Ive never laqcuered that type of ito.
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Post by egumpher on Jan 23, 2013 22:28:25 GMT
Thanks for the information........yea......I think you nailed it.......my New-Bee death-grip swing can't be good....as with most other martial arts.....you got to slow-down-and-go-smooth-N-controlled to work well and be fast and accurate.....
Thanks again Eric
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Post by johnwalter on Jan 24, 2013 4:57:59 GMT
Well with a proper grip there is a motion called shibori,which is like ringing the water from a wet towel.This is done to insure a true path of the blade thru the target.It does put stress on the itomaki.This is one thing I test in swords and talk about when I test one.There arent many that are true dojo quality on the Chinese production market when it comes to this.Its the details like this that make a true dojo level sword.
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