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Post by prabogh on Nov 30, 2023 13:11:55 GMT
Hi all, i recently purchased katana(price was cca 260 Eur), but from the first swing i hear 'creaking' noise in the Tsuka when i swing. Also I feel Nakago slightly moving inside Tsuka(i believe movement is kind of sideways, Nakago is not going up and down, more like left/right movement). All other parts like Tsuba, Kashira, Fuchi, Seppa and Mekugis looks and feels tight. I know I should not expect much form production katanas but im wondering will i damage the Tsuka by trying to disassemble it to put some paper around Nakago to try to fix the creaking and movement. Is it safe to use katana with Tsuka issue like this one ? I have video of cracking noise(not sure if I'm allowed to post links): Tsuba noiseThank you for the help
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Post by mrstabby on Nov 30, 2023 13:45:10 GMT
Hi, welcome.
Movement isn't good, depends how hard you use it for though. You should try to fix it either way. Damage is always possible when you do stuff like this, but unlikely when you have the right tools and are cautious. If you aren't sure you should contact the seller. But you should learn maintenance and repair, since the fittings can always get loose with use.
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Post by prabogh on Nov 30, 2023 13:48:34 GMT
I did indeed contacted the seller, they offered to pick up the sword to examine it in detail. I hope they will fix it or provide replacement.
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Post by crazyjons on Nov 30, 2023 16:19:13 GMT
It's pretty normal to have to shim the handle on a budget production katana like that. I think it's good skill to have to be able to take them apart and put it back together again because even if it doesn't move now it will later probably need to add some shims at some point.
Jon
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Post by prabogh on Nov 30, 2023 19:25:01 GMT
Ok, thx for the input, I agree it wold be good skill to know, but im afraid i received Katana with cracked Tsuka(or it is half-cracked), so it is little underwhelming to get first katana and it is already broken We shall see what will seller do, now comes the boring part, wait for them to pick it up, do a analysis and do a replacement or fix. Thx
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Post by wildv on Dec 2, 2023 14:48:31 GMT
Ok, thx for the input, I agree it wold be good skill to know, but im afraid i received Katana with cracked Tsuka(or it is half-cracked), so it is little underwhelming to get first katana and it is already broken We shall see what will seller do, now comes the boring part, wait for them to pick it up, do a analysis and do a replacement or fix. Thx Most production Katana's have a pre-made tsuka, so being split or having movement is a real possibility for most blades. It's just part of it. You can tape the nakago, but honestly I just make a new tsuka core... Or don't worry about it. You'll never be able to break the tsuka, it's tougher than you think, even a split one ( I know, I've tried).
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Post by prabogh on Dec 20, 2023 11:00:36 GMT
Hi, me again... I sent sword back to the store as requested, and they are of course claiming everything is fine, they talk some nonsense about 'no pluriball left inside the saya'!?!
So the question is do i ask for refund and try my luck somewhere else or to accept my destiny try to disassemble the sword and put tape/paper on nakago myself.
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Post by mrstabby on Dec 20, 2023 11:14:17 GMT
I'd ask: How much did you like the sword? If you felt it was perfect for you besides the creak, repair it. If you weren't completely happy, find something else.
Though the answer from the seller does not fill me with confidence. If you want to, you could post the sword you bought (a link or pictures), someone here might know if it's worth keeping.
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Post by prabogh on Dec 20, 2023 11:27:36 GMT
Hi, thx for reply. I did like the sword, it seems well built (i don't have previous experience with katanas, only longswords..) There were a few millimeters gap between Habaki and Seppa, but i didnt want to make big fuss about it in this price range. Blade is blunt and there were no visual defects, looks fine, furniture is pretty tight, also no rattle in Saya, it has a good fit. I intended to use the katana for practice, handling etc, before i start to cut with actual Shinken. No sure is it allowed to post the links here but here it is: www.yarinohanzo.com/Ishikawa-Katana-Samurai-Sword-Handmade-Iaito-sword.html
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Post by mrstabby on Dec 20, 2023 12:15:25 GMT
Ah, it isn't sharp and not intended for cutting, got it (sorry I thought it was a sharp). You can get away with more when you are only handling it. Yeah, if you really liked the feel/look of it, should not be that hard to find something to put in to stop it from moving. Have you handled other Katana? I ask, because some reproductions might look and feel good to someone who never held the real thing but are waaaay off in comparasion with a good one.
I do like the looks, but I am no expert in nihonto, quite the opposite in fact.
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Post by prabogh on Dec 20, 2023 12:37:33 GMT
No, this is my first experience with katana, i only have experience in handling longswords so i dont really know It is little bit on heavier side but that may be subjective feeling.
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Post by larason2 on Dec 20, 2023 20:11:59 GMT
It looks quite nice to me. Personally I would start by reworking the nakago. Most reproductions have a nakago that is too smooth in my opinion. It shouldn't hurt to touch, but it should be rough. Get a pretty coarse file and work away at all the surfaces of the nakago (tang) until it doesn't feel as smooth. Don't remove too much metal though, or it will make it worse! If that solves the problem, you're good to go. If not, you might need to shim it a small amount.
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Post by prabogh on Dec 21, 2023 11:38:59 GMT
Hi all and thank you for your inputs so far. I decided to keep the sword after all. Seller responded once again and told me that nakago movement is pretty normal if i swing sword too hard and that everything is pretty normal !? The also asked if i want for them to 'strengthen' Tsuka and Nakago connection. I said yes but i was clear that i don't want them to glue it.
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Post by larason2 on Dec 21, 2023 13:48:37 GMT
If the nakago has the right texture, and the tsuka is close fitting, there shouldn't be movement or creaking, no matter how hard you swing it. The Ronin Dojo Pro I have, I took down 5 lbs of reeds and the wooden stand with it (it only cut half way through), but it didn't creak! (Wouldn't recommend that, it was hard on the shoulders, but I can't imagine a harder swing than that). I've also hand carved my own tsuka, and test fit it last night. Even without a mekugi, it's on there really solid, no movement or creaking at all.
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