LK Chen Magnificent Chu Jian modifications
Jul 14, 2024 22:12:12 GMT
Post by mspur on Jul 14, 2024 22:12:12 GMT
For anyone who is interested in modifying the look or grip wrap of their LK Chen Magnificent Chu Jian, let me provide an example.
To see the original sword, just check out the following link:
lkchensword.com/magnificent-chu-jian
It’s a lovely sword, fantastic handling, but a bit too flashy for my taste. So, I made the following alterations:
Scabbard:
1. Remove black cord. Dispose.
2. Remove brass fitting. Clean with alcohol, then darken/antique with darkening solution.
3. Strip paint from wood using Sunnyside citrus paint/varnish remover. Clean with alcohol.
4. Gently sand scabbard to remove any remaining paint.
5. Glue darkened brass fitting to scabbard.
6. Polish wood with wax.
7. Wrap brass fitting with thick cord. Fix ends of cords beneath wrap with strong fabric glue to hold in place.
8. Rub beeswax into cord, heat until it soaks in.
Hilt:
1. Remove black cord. Dispose.
2. Clean brass fittings with alcohol. Darken/antique with darkening solution.
3. Glue thin strips of leather, rough side out, to wooden handle, approximately where the cord wrapping will separate.
4. Using 3mm flat cotton cord, wrap handle following instructions provided by Peter Dekker.
5. Rub beeswax into cord, heat until it soaks in.
Notes:
1. Peter Dekker’s instructions:
archive.mandarinmansion.com/pdf/grip-wrapping.pdf
2. I hand-dyed both the scabbard and hilt cord using RIT fabric dye. I tried out several different color/dye variations. Always wait until the dyed fabric has dried before judging what does or doesn’t work for you.
Here are pictures of the results, beginning with pictures of the stripped wooden grip. Enjoy:
To see the original sword, just check out the following link:
lkchensword.com/magnificent-chu-jian
It’s a lovely sword, fantastic handling, but a bit too flashy for my taste. So, I made the following alterations:
Scabbard:
1. Remove black cord. Dispose.
2. Remove brass fitting. Clean with alcohol, then darken/antique with darkening solution.
3. Strip paint from wood using Sunnyside citrus paint/varnish remover. Clean with alcohol.
4. Gently sand scabbard to remove any remaining paint.
5. Glue darkened brass fitting to scabbard.
6. Polish wood with wax.
7. Wrap brass fitting with thick cord. Fix ends of cords beneath wrap with strong fabric glue to hold in place.
8. Rub beeswax into cord, heat until it soaks in.
Hilt:
1. Remove black cord. Dispose.
2. Clean brass fittings with alcohol. Darken/antique with darkening solution.
3. Glue thin strips of leather, rough side out, to wooden handle, approximately where the cord wrapping will separate.
4. Using 3mm flat cotton cord, wrap handle following instructions provided by Peter Dekker.
5. Rub beeswax into cord, heat until it soaks in.
Notes:
1. Peter Dekker’s instructions:
archive.mandarinmansion.com/pdf/grip-wrapping.pdf
2. I hand-dyed both the scabbard and hilt cord using RIT fabric dye. I tried out several different color/dye variations. Always wait until the dyed fabric has dried before judging what does or doesn’t work for you.
Here are pictures of the results, beginning with pictures of the stripped wooden grip. Enjoy:
