New sword done; The silver katana!
Mar 27, 2009 22:24:25 GMT
Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2009 22:24:25 GMT
When I started customizing my swords, the goal would be to do swords from scratch, starting with a bare blade. And I've come a step closer to the goal with my latest custom. I bought a sword some time ago which had an ugly tsuka and fittings, but a very nice 1095 clayed blade.
After I bought a full set of fittings from Marc, I decided to go for a full remake of this sword. I kept the blade and the saya, but ditched everything else. I've made a new tsuka for a tanto before, but it took three tries and three kinds of wood to get this one done. The two first were too hard to work with, so I ended up with aspen. Took a lot of work hours to get it done, but next time it's gonna go a lot faster. I'm very pleased with the tsuka shape.
I think it's taken about 30-35 hours to remake, but I've done everything by the book and taken my time to get it right.
I'm pleased with the result, and can't put my finger on anything this time.
Silver fittings from Oni forge, menuki from Yamato Budogu in silver and gold bamboo theme, ivory silk ito and ivory cotton sageo from Shadow Of Leaves. Black laquered same (with emperor node) The habaki is one I got nickel plated earlier, it fit perfect.
I'm pleased with the tsukamaki too, first time I've done it with traditional rice paper hishigami. And the last time I use anything else. Traditional hishigami definetly fills several functions and looks FAR better. With cardboard hishigami you also get a ridge which will show through the ito, the hishigami are invisible if done right. Took me about four-five hours to do the tsukamaki including folding and cutting the hishigame, and a couple of unwraps of the last half.
Bamboo menuki.
Kashira.
Tsuba and fuchi.
Since the fittings are quite big, I had to make the tsuka high and thin to get a grip that fit my hands. But this is also quite traditional, the chunky tsukas on production swords are less historical.
The tsuka shaping process.
This is the tools I use for tsukamaki, including a dulled knife and a couple of palette knives. I haven't heard of anyone using tweezers to place the hishigami, but I can tell you it makes it a lot easier.
This is how I use the palette knifes, they are invaluable for threading the knots. I pass the plastic threader between the blades, and it slides through with little effort despite hard wrapped ito. They are very thin and flexible, and can be pryed under the ito without damaging the samekawa or the ito. I also use them to lift and adjust the ito, and to lift the plastic threader for the ito.
So, on to the next project! ;D
After I bought a full set of fittings from Marc, I decided to go for a full remake of this sword. I kept the blade and the saya, but ditched everything else. I've made a new tsuka for a tanto before, but it took three tries and three kinds of wood to get this one done. The two first were too hard to work with, so I ended up with aspen. Took a lot of work hours to get it done, but next time it's gonna go a lot faster. I'm very pleased with the tsuka shape.
I think it's taken about 30-35 hours to remake, but I've done everything by the book and taken my time to get it right.
I'm pleased with the result, and can't put my finger on anything this time.
Silver fittings from Oni forge, menuki from Yamato Budogu in silver and gold bamboo theme, ivory silk ito and ivory cotton sageo from Shadow Of Leaves. Black laquered same (with emperor node) The habaki is one I got nickel plated earlier, it fit perfect.
I'm pleased with the tsukamaki too, first time I've done it with traditional rice paper hishigami. And the last time I use anything else. Traditional hishigami definetly fills several functions and looks FAR better. With cardboard hishigami you also get a ridge which will show through the ito, the hishigami are invisible if done right. Took me about four-five hours to do the tsukamaki including folding and cutting the hishigame, and a couple of unwraps of the last half.
Bamboo menuki.
Kashira.
Tsuba and fuchi.
Since the fittings are quite big, I had to make the tsuka high and thin to get a grip that fit my hands. But this is also quite traditional, the chunky tsukas on production swords are less historical.
The tsuka shaping process.
This is the tools I use for tsukamaki, including a dulled knife and a couple of palette knives. I haven't heard of anyone using tweezers to place the hishigami, but I can tell you it makes it a lot easier.
This is how I use the palette knifes, they are invaluable for threading the knots. I pass the plastic threader between the blades, and it slides through with little effort despite hard wrapped ito. They are very thin and flexible, and can be pryed under the ito without damaging the samekawa or the ito. I also use them to lift and adjust the ito, and to lift the plastic threader for the ito.
So, on to the next project! ;D