Repairing a Broken Shirasaya
Jul 4, 2020 19:12:51 GMT
Post by pgandy on Jul 4, 2020 19:12:51 GMT
Some months ago I noticed the grip on my shirasaya had split. At the leading edge I could see shinny metal where the two halves join. I had a few bad words to say about Musashi using improperly cured wood although the sword was old. Earlier in this week I picked it up to see no metal showing. Thinking back on it I detected the break during dry season and it is now wet season and the wood has swollen. But nevertheless the glue seam has let go.
To make a patch I disassembled the sword. I’ve done this before with difficulty but this time to my surprise it came apart easily but not so easy as to cause concern. A firm tug on handle and it was off. Plan A was to separate the two wood halves enough go get glue in there. I was not able to separate with what I called reasonable pressure which included attempting to drive a wedge made from a wooden clothes pin in. It was then to Plan B with me working in CA glue the best I could and hoped that enough was absorbed to work. I then wrapped tightly with dental floss after which I applied a cool flame to shrink more. This was followed by a cord wrap flaming off the fuzz.
I like this shirasaya although it’s not a true model as the saya is wrong from the beginning of go so I have less reservations about cutting with it. I bought it originally for street carry as it has no tsuba. I found it cut far better than my straight bladed Hanwei sword stick, also much faster and easier to control. The downside is with the curve it is awkward to carry as a walking stick. It’s also faster than my katanas.
I’ve only dry handled it since repairing and since the sun is out at the moment I think I give it a quick workout. The wrap though I wish wasn’t there does make gripping the sword more positive.
Only made one cut, a milk carton from breakfast. I had forgotten how beautifully this one handles. I prefer it to my favourite katana a Musashi Bamboo. There was a sshhhh, whack, and then the top half of the carton was on the ground and the bottom half exactly as I placed it on the cutting stand. Easier and faster than falling off a roof.
The floss wrap. What appears to be a split was not visible to the naked eye.
The cord wrap.
And then...
To make a patch I disassembled the sword. I’ve done this before with difficulty but this time to my surprise it came apart easily but not so easy as to cause concern. A firm tug on handle and it was off. Plan A was to separate the two wood halves enough go get glue in there. I was not able to separate with what I called reasonable pressure which included attempting to drive a wedge made from a wooden clothes pin in. It was then to Plan B with me working in CA glue the best I could and hoped that enough was absorbed to work. I then wrapped tightly with dental floss after which I applied a cool flame to shrink more. This was followed by a cord wrap flaming off the fuzz.
I like this shirasaya although it’s not a true model as the saya is wrong from the beginning of go so I have less reservations about cutting with it. I bought it originally for street carry as it has no tsuba. I found it cut far better than my straight bladed Hanwei sword stick, also much faster and easier to control. The downside is with the curve it is awkward to carry as a walking stick. It’s also faster than my katanas.
I’ve only dry handled it since repairing and since the sun is out at the moment I think I give it a quick workout. The wrap though I wish wasn’t there does make gripping the sword more positive.
Only made one cut, a milk carton from breakfast. I had forgotten how beautifully this one handles. I prefer it to my favourite katana a Musashi Bamboo. There was a sshhhh, whack, and then the top half of the carton was on the ground and the bottom half exactly as I placed it on the cutting stand. Easier and faster than falling off a roof.
The floss wrap. What appears to be a split was not visible to the naked eye.
The cord wrap.
And then...