|
Post by Alexander on Dec 12, 2015 19:06:14 GMT
How difficult is it to replace one? What all is involved with switching one? I see ebay has number tsubas for sale some antiques. I would guess their authenticity is always suspect but if its iron and I like it and the price is ok. Is there another good reputable source for them?
|
|
|
Post by DigsFossils-n-Knives on Dec 12, 2015 21:12:54 GMT
The obvious answer is that you might need to fill the gaps with copper or lead if the tsuba hole is too large. Or file the tsuba hole larger to fit your blade. If you're putting a tsuba on a chinatana then you might have a challenging time taking the sword apart as the lower end ones are sometimes (many times?) have epoxy.
|
|
|
Post by Timo Nieminen on Dec 12, 2015 21:13:05 GMT
Easy to replace, assuming you can remove the grip without difficulty (not ridiculously tight, not epoxied on, mekugi (pins) not covered by wrap or menuki). If the new tsuba is thicker, remove a seppa (spacer) or two. Or even shorten the grip a little. If the new tsuba is thinner, use more or thicker seppa. If the hole for the tang is too small, file to fit. If the hole for the tang is a little bit too big, punch the edges of the hole to narrow it. If it's a lot too big, the usual solution is copper inserts. You'll see both punching and copper inserts on antique tsuba - look on Google Images - and that should give you some idea of how to do it. More details here: sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/29105/tsuba-newbie
|
|
|
Post by LG Martial Arts on Dec 12, 2015 21:18:26 GMT
You need to take the blade's width/height into consideration - you will most probably have to file the tsuba to fit the blade in the nakago-ana (which will decrease the value of an antique tsuba), and/or add copper (sekigane) if it's too loose. Also, you'll probably have to switch out the seppa unless the new tsuba is the same width as the one your katana came with. Here's a link that was made a while back for replacing/fitting a tsuba onto a blade: How To Fix A Loose Tsuba. BTW, here's a good pic of a tsuba with Japanese names on it... The only place I've bought tsuba before was from Aoi Japan, they are pricey, but very well documented though. Good luck!
|
|
Mikeeman
Member
Small Business Operator
Posts: 2,904
|
Post by Mikeeman on Dec 14, 2015 20:49:48 GMT
Here's what I find in (non-antique) eBay tsuba. They are just fine and will serve their purpose. And there are many varying styles and metals for them to be made out of so you can match the weight of your fittings to the balance you prefer on your sword. If you don't care about balance and just want a display sword, there are also many very detailed fittings just for that.
Also, it seems that eBay tsuba come with small nakago ana. (the hole that the tang passes through) Which I think is a good thing. It is MUCH easier to take a set of needle files and file it out to the perfect shape of your tang than to go through all the trouble of trying to shim it with another type of metal and THEN file it all down to shape.
On a sword, especially now that nobody really sword fights, the material matters a little less. So you can get any metal, weight, style, or flavor you please so long as it makes you happy in the end. And eBay has a plethora of tsuba/fittings for you to browse and find something nice.
|
|
|
Post by Alexander on Dec 14, 2015 23:52:05 GMT
Hi Mikeeman, I am looking for a tsuba that will keep it well balanced. I have seen some nice modern ones but the antique ones just have look I really like. As it is I wont be using it for the sword I intended anyway. The sword I was looking to put it on was the Huawei heavy cutter I just bought. I wasnt really thrilled with the tsuba on it. As it turns out the sword is amazing and the balance is sweet. It has a very noticeable blade presence. That is until you start to swing it then it and it just seems to spring to life. So I'm not going to do anything to mess that up. But I still may get one for a future sword.
|
|
addertooth
Member
Working the tsuka on two bare blades from Ninja-Katana, slow progress
Posts: 458
|
Post by addertooth on Dec 16, 2015 13:58:40 GMT
The thing I really like about antique tsuba which are available on Ebay, is the ability to find Wakizashi and Tanto sized tsuba. I moderately dislike the look of a Katana-sized tsuba on a Wakizashi, I really dislike a large tsuba on a Tanto.
|
|