Looking for a WW2 shin gunto tsuka restoration service

[patrick7813]

All

 

Other than Fred Lohman, does anyone know who else provides a restoration service (applying new rayskin and the correct color silk Ito) for a shin gunto tsuka? I’m looking for someone closer to the US East Coast than Fred. I have a 1939 shin gunto was a near-mint blade by the 23rd generation Kanefusa where the rayskin on the tsuka is seriously eroded in many places and I want to replace it. Since the Ito must be removed to replace the rayskin, I'll have that replaced as well with a correct military brown color in silk.

 

Thanks for any recommendations.

 

Cheers,

[Kevin]

Me - but I'm in the UK, which is a bit further away than Fred I'm afraid.

 

Kevin

[patrick7813]

Yeah, just a little bit further (not much mind you but there's also that pesky Customs). Too bad!

 

Thanks anyway,

[Grey Doffin]

Patrick,

I can recommend Dave McDonald in Montana. He should be linked from the Board or you can google him. He does good work; he won an award in Japan last year.

Grey

[Curgan]

In Europe I would wholeheartedly recommend Kevin and Zenon van Damme. In the States there are many good craftsmen. Among them Randy Black does also good work, but he can be non traditional in making koshirae as well.

[patrick7813]

Patrick,

I can recommend Dave McDonald in Montana. He should be linked from the Board or you can google him. He does good work; he won an award in Japan last year.

Grey

Thanks Grey. I have contacted him via email to discuss options and capabilities.

Regards,

[patrick7813]

In Europe I would wholeheartedly recommend Kevin and Zenon van Damme. In the States there are many good craftsmen. Among them Randy Black does also good work, but he can be non traditional in making koshirae as well.

Thanks John. You're the second member to recommend Randy Black. I've sent him an email to discuss his options and capabilities as well as Dave McDonald (as recommend by Grey Doffin).

Regards,

[Curgan]

I recommended Randy Black, because I did business with him and was satisfied. DmcD has a great reputation and is a polite person as far as I know from my experience. Browsing through his site, I believe Grey's proposal is a "no miss" one as well.

[patrick7813]

John

 

This is certainly one of many benefits to me of membership in the NMB. Discussions with and recommendations from members who know more than I do and have first hand experience and satisfaction with the work products of various service providers. As far as I'm concerned, that's invaluable.

 

Thanks to both you and Grey for your separate recommendations as well as Jamie Dotson who also recommended Randy Black.

 

Regards,

[bmlusk1911]

Not sure if they've got the correct silk ito, but my dojo does some tsuka work.

 

http://www.nihonzashi.com

 

Currently they're working on a Shirasaya for me, so I'll report back with pictures of their work later.

[kusunokimasahige]

Brock, just a tip, i would go with the proper craftsmen which were mentioned by other NMB members on here.

You will be more than happy with the result, i can guarantee you.

 

I must say i was not that amused when visiting the Nihonzashi site.

But that is just my opinion.

 

KM

[patrick7813]

Thanks for the tip Brock (and conversely dissenting view KM). I'm developing nice working relationships with those previously recommended and believe I'm well set to move forward.

 

Cheers to all,

[bmlusk1911]

KM,

 

Just thinking to give another "East Coast" shop that I knew about, granted it's fairly simple but I have had them make mekugi for me and the work turned out great. I've also seen some of their work on Shinken for other members of the dojo. Granted it's apples and oranges compared to nihonto, but just throwing out another possibility.

 

v/r,

 

Brock

[patrick7813]

Patrick,

I can recommend Dave McDonald in Montana. He should be linked from the Board or you can google him. He does good work; he won an award in Japan last year.

Grey

 

Thanks for the heads-up Grey. Today, I received my restored tsuka (new but antiqued same' and period appropriate color Ito plus maintenance to the wooden core) back from David McDonald. Great looking result and very sturdy. I highly recommend his services to everyone.

 

Cheers,

[Bruno]

[Bruno]

Oups! Sorry I just wanted to ask for pics of the tsuka!!! I wasn't expected all these yellow round guys to appear!!

[patrick7813]

Hi All

 

I've finally gotten around to taking some pictures (see attached) of the tsuka David McDonald restored for me (sorry for the long delay). In my view, David provides an excellent service and results. Please judge for yourselves. BTW, he's currently working on another similar project for me (repeat customers are the best advertisement).

 

Cheers,