Uhlan
Member
Posts: 3,121
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Post by Uhlan on Dec 9, 2013 5:58:28 GMT
Hello to all.
A friend of mine gave me a Gunto for study and the habaki is split on the ,,sharp'' side, about half way, from the blade to the base of the habaki. I cannot post photo's due to lack of a camera and my friend is completely analogue, so no digital photo's also. Is it possible to repair the copper habaki? I thought about taking it off, cleaning it in acetone and silver soldering the seam again. Right now the split causes enough play between that side of the habaki and the seppa and tsuba, for the tsuba to come forward for about 1.5 mm on that side. The Mune side of the habaki is still tight and the tsuba fit is tight. Some help would be appriciated. Cheers, Ulahn.
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Post by frankthebunny on Dec 10, 2013 2:43:45 GMT
Can you see any reason it has split or do you think it was just mishandling? If it fits well and you can close the gap while it's in place, silver soldering should be fine. I tried this recently on a busted copper habaki but something was screwy with the machigane and it resplit after I sent it back out.
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Post by Robert in California on Dec 10, 2013 3:39:18 GMT
Or you could buy a habaki off Ebay. Cost w/shipping 5 to 12 bucks. And pray it fits...(good luck, I have bought 4 so far and none fit quite right). RinC
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Uhlan
Member
Posts: 3,121
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Post by Uhlan on Dec 10, 2013 6:27:01 GMT
Thank you for your replies. I found that the habaki was smashed into something, it has some dents right where it is split. So I tried to get the tsuka off. One mekugi I thought, but one of the menuki has a pin going through the nakago. Some sort of screw. Since I cannot remove or damage the ito, since this is sword is lend to me, I have to re-think the operation. The thing is build like a tank though! Thick, maschine made, blade. Still razor sharp too! Pity the tsuka is still stuck, because I would have liked to have a look at the markings on the tang. This is the first sword with a silk wrap instead of same I have seen and by the looks of it and the way various things are executed I do not believe this to be an ,, end of war'' production. Much to learn here. By the way, the owner got this, when 9 years old, from his mother as a present. Bought for 50 bucks at a pawnshop, right after the war. I kinda like the woman!
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