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Post by doubleh87 on Feb 19, 2021 8:09:14 GMT
I'm trying to buy a cheap chinese Kill Bill Bride's katana and mod it so that it's more movie-accurate. I've been reading articles, tutorials, videos for weeks. This is my very first time customizing a katana, let alone owning a katana, so there are still a lot to learn but I think I'm getting some ideas, thanks to tons of posts in this amazing community. I just wanted to make sure if I'm planning this correctly, before I make purchases and start my journey. I also understand that this is minimal customization that I'm planning, and even after doing all these, the final product will be far from the great replicas, but this is best I can do with my resources. My plans:
1. Buy the katana. Remove tsuka and disassemble/throw away Kashira, Menuki, Fuchi, Ito. 2. Generally clean the surface (Same), file here and there if necessary to fit my new Kashira and Fuchi. 3. Make Ito template and prepare Hishigame, and plan where the new Menuki will be placed. 4. Wrap with new Ito and torture my thumbs. (ofc, during this step, place Menuki and Kashira) 5. Reassemble the blade
These are what I've been simulating in my head for days. Are the steps correct? Am I missing anything? And few questions:
A. I understand that there is a risk that Fuchi and Kashira won' fit at all. If they are too small, I can just file the Tsuka a bit, right? But what if they're too big? Is there any solution other than remaking tsuka from the scratch? Or is there any material that can fill the gap?
B. How do I make sure that my new Ito wrap doesn't accidentally cover Mekugi-ana? Do I need to adjust the length of Tsuka first in order to avoid it?
C. Many tutorial contents replaced Same as well. But is it necessary? Also, after they removed the Same, they sanded the wooden surface. It's only to make the surface clean and smooth for glueing new Same?
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Feb 19, 2021 12:52:50 GMT
I don’t know your skill level in general and you say your first katana. Reading your plan I take it you plan to extensively modify the tsuka. I do not discourage anyone from experimenting around but I have the following suggestions. Remove the tsuka as planned, but leave as is and do not do any filing on the tang. That way if your plan fails you can simply reassembly and be wiser for your efforts. With the tsuka removed make a new core from scratch, or buy a blank for a starter, as according to your plans the only thing remaining of the original is the core. You might want to figure in the shipping costs of each of the items needed for the rebuild as well as the products cost. Here are two other katanas you might consider. The company at present is out of stock so some patience will be in order. Both are made by reputable manufacturers and cheaper than the one you are considering. I assume you live in the US. kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=SS028BK1C kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=SW320DXE Good luck on your project.
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Post by doubleh87 on Feb 19, 2021 13:30:06 GMT
I don’t know your skill level in general and you say your first katana. Reading your plan I take it you plan to extensively modify the tsuka. I do not discourage anyone from experimenting around but I have the following suggestions. Remove the tsuka as planned, but leave as is and do not do any filing on the tang. That way if your plan fails you can simply reassembly and be wiser for your efforts. With the tsuka removed make a new core from scratch, or buy a blank for a starter, as according to your plans the only thing remaining of the original is the core. You might want to figure in the shipping costs of each of the items needed for the rebuild as well as the products cost. Here are two other katanas you might consider. The company at present is out of stock so some patience will be in order. Both are made by reputable manufacturers and cheaper than the one you are considering. I assume you live in the US. kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=SS028BK1C kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=SW320DXE Good luck on your project. Yeahhh I've been waiting for them to restock Masahiro replica for months. And judging by its availability in other stores, I concluded that it won't happen any time soon. I found one but it's even more expensive. I don't plan to modify the tang in any way. All I want is better fittings on the tsuka, and I was thinking of filing a minimal amount on tsuka for better fittings if necessary.
Thank you for your suggestions
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Feb 19, 2021 16:25:20 GMT
Yeahhh I've been waiting for them to restock Masahiro replica for months. And judging by its availability in other stores, I concluded that it won't happen any time soon. I found one but it's even more expensive. I don't plan to modify the tang in any way. All I want is better fittings on the tsuka, and I was thinking of filing a minimal amount on tsuka for better fittings if necessary.
Thank you for your suggestions
I’m afraid the pandemic has messed many things up. I don’t hear much regarding Masahiro but I have one of their blades, I think. The source I’ve forgotten but am sure the blade is a Masahiro. I had accumulated the parts and put that katana together. That katana replaced my Musashi as a backyard cutter. It was heavier, that I liked, I don’t like the false hamon and in short considered it expendable. 15 years or so later it’s still going and has proven to be an invaluable learning piece. I learned how to sharpen with that one but must not have take much metal off as I can still see traces of the hamon.
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Post by doubleh87 on Feb 19, 2021 23:16:57 GMT
I appreciate your input. Do you also happen to know the answers to my questions? Or is there any other forums I should post this?
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Feb 20, 2021 2:21:05 GMT
I appreciate your input. Do you also happen to know the answers to my questions? Or is there any other forums I should post this? If you are talking about A,B, and C in your OP it’s really hard to say with certainty about something you don’t have, only speculating on. A. There is an excellent chance the parts won’t fit and your correction method will work within limits. How far off is it from fitting? Filing and shimming will work but if too far off there will be a step. If you start remaking the tsuka from scratch this will be easy enough to correct. B. The only way I can think of preventing the wrap from covering the Mekugi is to drill your holes after wrapping. But there’s a chance this won’t be necessary. Wrapping is no easy job regardless what you see on YouTube. C. It would probably be best to remove the same. But again you ask and you have no idea of the condition of the same that you yet don’t possess. I expect it won’t come off cleanly and sanding will be necessary. There are two methods applying the same, one a panel which in all likelihood will be on a katana in the price range you are looking at. And the other, the better way is a wrap. I hope this helps some. Keep in mind I am no expert in this field and perhaps someone else will chime in that can better answer your questions.
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Post by doubleh87 on Feb 20, 2021 9:46:35 GMT
Thank you for your help! I'll take it slow and try not to rush anything This will be my great learning experience
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Feb 20, 2021 12:41:39 GMT
Thank you for your help! I'll take it slow and try not to rush anything This will be my great learning experience That is the best approach. Work a little at a time, thinking much about what you’ve done and the best way to continue. Do not try to race the clock or do it in a single weekend and it will be a great learning experience indeed. I would like to know the outcome regardless of success. Best of luck.
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Post by nebulatech on Feb 23, 2021 5:22:09 GMT
In regard to replacing the ray skin, sanding the tsuka core is to remove old glue (which won't bond well to new glue) and providing a rough surface for the new glue to adhere to.
My ito wrapping skills are inadequate so no advice here.
Regarding the kashirea, if they are slightly too big, you could build up the tsuka with thickened epoxy and sand it to fit. My thickener of choice is colloidal silica, but its dangerous and expensive.
Good luck!
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Post by doubleh87 on Feb 23, 2021 8:52:35 GMT
ooh I see. Thank you very much. Epoxy to save the world again!
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Post by bradc on Feb 26, 2021 19:03:42 GMT
Not directly answering your question but for resource material Adam Savage had a video of his replica that might be useful for design cues.
For sizing of fuchi/kashira. try to make sure the fuchi you buy is close in size to the koiguchi on the saya. If it is much smaller it just won't look right. There are a wide variety of sizes out there so just look carefully for specs.
For ito wrapping check out Thomas Buck or Cottontail customs online tutorials/info. It's an art so practice with some scrap is a good idea before jumping into you final tsuka.
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