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Post by darknovashin on Jan 15, 2024 0:02:37 GMT
Does anyone know of any craftsmen who still makes the Meji-era Kyo Gunto fittings that would custom mount a blade? I am fond both of their look and function but, outside of antiques, I haven't seen any modern craftsmen making them outside of replicas from Universal Swords. I have both an antique I would like to have repaired as well as to mount a bare blade.
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Post by larason2 on Jan 15, 2024 1:28:14 GMT
Any togisho who can make traditional fittings can also make a gunto. It's going to be a lot of money though! Aside from sometimes being poorly cast, most reproductions are actually pretty good for guntos. More important is proper polishing and patination, which you can also do yourself. If you have the money you can check out Marcus Chambers. If he'll go for it, he'll probably get some antique gunto furniture and repatinate it to match what you currently have.
Otherwise, you can talk to one of the tsukamaki providers that have been mentioned before. They can often do little repairs and such.
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Post by darknovashin on Jan 15, 2024 3:22:55 GMT
I am possibly wrong, but I think you might be referring to the later Shin Gunto from around WW2? The Kyu Gunto are a bit different from the Shin Gunto fittings unfortunately and more akin to western military sabers. The D-Guard is a bit bigger than most will do for casting and the wire wrap and back strap are not the norm. Doubly as to fit a longer nakago of an older blade over something forged specifically for this style of fittings. There is a decent bit of unique sizing to deal with between the D-guard, backstrap and pommel. The antique one I have needs a new tsuka core and saya as the wood of both have broken down over time, something a togisho can possibly handle. But I worry that the wire wrapping of the grip is out of the experience of a Togisho used to dealing with more traditional handles. Thank you for the mention of Marcus though, I have a separate project I might contact him about. www.samuraishokai.jp/sword/14126.html
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Post by larason2 on Jan 15, 2024 4:16:41 GMT
You're right, I was thinking of the shin gunto, but I don't think this will be much different. Traditionally, tosogi were able to take care of the construction of any type of sword, and there are examples, for instance in the possesion of the royal family, of them making hilts similar to the one you have.
If it's just the wood, then any tsukamaki practitioner should be able to restore the handle. The leather and wire can be removed, the metal fittings taken off, and a new wooden handle carved precisely to match. As for the saya though, you'll have to find a proper saya maker. That can run you $2000 for a new wooden core, depending on who does it and the quality. They may also just be able to shim the existing one, depending on where the looseness is (for instance, if it's just at the throat). For antiques, it often makes more sense just to do that. A sayagaki can restore damaged parts of the urushi as well, but that's where the cost is going to start to escalate! For instance, they can steam it and split it, add shims wherever necessary, then repair the urushi wherever it need to be after putting it back together. Not a weekend project though!
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Arlequin
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Post by Arlequin on Jan 15, 2024 5:15:42 GMT
Does anyone know of any craftsmen who still makes the Meji-era Kyo Gunto fittings that would custom mount a blade? I am fond both of their look and function but, outside of antiques, I haven't seen any modern craftsmen making them outside of replicas from Universal Swords. I have both an antique I would like to have repaired as well as to mount a bare blade. If you have an antique I suggest contacting Shiningmoon13, he does a variety of work. If you're looking for the more Western style style fittings, Jesse Belsky might be able to help you as well, tho the materials won't be traditional.
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Post by dhampird on Jan 17, 2024 2:54:13 GMT
Their is 3 handles on eBay listed under Kyu Gunto. two are 21cm or 8" 1/2, and one the guard is slightly bent forward and its a tad longer. they are all under $400 I have bids on at least one when I have the money. As I want for a project and template thing. As fellow person with taste
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