Tsuka making questions OR maker in Germany suggestions?

[Drago]

Hi,

 

after spending 700 Euro on a new tsuka and then finding out it is too thin (the rest is perfect (fit of nakago, ana, fit of fittings)) I decided to try to save some money and make a new tsuka myself. I worked with wood before. I'm not perfect, but I know the basics.

 

To anyone who has done this before or know how professionals do it:

1. I heard the mune and ha side of the nakago should be almost completely covered by one half of the tsuka so the gluing seem is not direcly on the mune. Is that correct? After looking at the original (broken) tsuka I have, that was not the case...

2. The nakago ana on the blade and tsuka are always very slightly displaced. Any tips on how to to that properly?

3. What glue? I know rice glue is originally used, but to make some from a not readly available rice-type and just fo a tsuka... I was thinking normal wood glue (Holzkaltleim for our German members).

 

---OR:---

If you can suggest a good and reasonably fast tsuka maker in Germany, preferably Bavaria... Feel free to give recommendations. I had to drive to Hamburg for the old one and it took 6 months!

 

Thanks!

[Geraint]

Hi Tobias.

 

Making a good tsuka looks easy but the subtlety of shaping is trickier to achieve than you might think. Making everything fit well and achieve harmony with the rest of the koshirae is an interesting challenge.

 

1 I have seen both tsuka split on the centre line and some with the split off set as you describe, the second might be stronger but Given everything else that will go to strengthen the completed tsuka I would doubt it.

2 Once you have inlaid the nakago into the tsuka, whichever method you chose, with the tsuka open you can mark and drill the mekugi hole on one half, then when you have glued up the tsuka complete the drilling. (I think that has been mentioned in another thread recently).

3 We have a saying, "Why spoil the ship for a hap'eth of tar?" Meaning if you are going to go to all that trouble surely a bit of rice isn't going to hurt? Modern glues are not good for shirasaya or koshirae because they tend to promote rusting.

 

Once you have made your tsuka you are going to have to fit same and carry out tsuka maki, you are into a whole world of interesting times here but there is a book by Thomas Buck on Tsuka Maki which would certainly be worth buying. If you have a go you will probably develop a whole new level of respect for the craftsmen who do this work and start looking at tsuka in much more detail.

 

Have fun.

[Kai-Gunto]

Heres a drawing , hope it helps.

 

I use white wood glue.

[Drago]

Thanks.

 

I ordered two sets of honoki wood and I'll get one or two new chisels.

 

Well, I know it's much more difficult than it looks. And if I screw both up I'll have a new one made by someone who's done this before.

 

One more reason why I think about doing this is that it was a pain living without the sword for half a year. I was always worried I'd get a call he dropped it and the tip broke or that it was rusting...

 

You know: I was thinking about having the nakago scanned and a plastic model printed. We talked about this before. But unfortunately I don't know anyone here who can do that.

[Kam]

Hi

 

The diagram supplied by gunto is the best approach.

 

A couple of rules to work with in regards to tsuka.

Firstly fuchi determines the size of the tsuka including naturally the thickness of the walls on all sides.

Secondly view the idea that the timber is to act more like a wrap than a solid "handle" in the western sense. This traditionally was reinforced via same and Ito.

Thirdly mekugi are there to stop the blade from sliding out not to "pin it in place" this seems to be a common mistake esp with the international tameshigiri crowd thinking that double pinning is stronger where as it actually creates a weak point as the timber will split along the grain between the 2 points.

 

Hope this helps..,.goodluck

 

Kam

[Teimei]

Hi,

 

after spending 700 Euro on a new tsuka and then finding out it is too thin (the rest is perfect (fit of nakago, ana, fit of fittings)) I decided to try to save some money and make a new tsuka myself. I worked with wood before. I'm not perfect, but I know the basics.

 

To anyone who has done this before or know how professionals do it:

1. I heard the mune and ha side of the nakago should be almost completely covered by one half of the tsuka so the gluing seem is not direcly on the mune. Is that correct? After looking at the original (broken) tsuka I have, that was not the case...

2. The nakago ana on the blade and tsuka are always very slightly displaced. Any tips on how to to that properly?

3. What glue? I know rice glue is originally used, but to make some from a not readly available rice-type and just fo a tsuka... I was thinking normal wood glue (Holzkaltleim for our German members).

 

---OR:---

If you can suggest a good and reasonably fast tsuka maker in Germany, preferably Bavaria... Feel free to give recommendations. I had to drive to Hamburg for the old one and it took 6 months!

 

Thanks!

 

 

Hi,

 

just a suggestion:

http://www.nihonto.eu/de/restauration/t ... on/katana/

 

 

 

Regards,

[ROKUJURO]

......after spending 700 Euro on a new tsuka and then finding out it is too thin.... I decided to try to save some money and make a new tsuka myself.....

 

Tobias,

 

before any attempt to start making a TSUKA (or having one made), read here: http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/kosh ... shirae.htm.

 

It is not so difficult to make a 'handle' on a sword, but you may want an aesthetically and technically satisfying solution. The style and the age of the KOSHIRAE should be respected, and this requires a lot of special knowledge and long experience.

[Kam]

Hi,

 

after spending 700 Euro on a new tsuka and then finding out it is too thin (the rest is perfect (fit of nakago, ana, fit of fittings)) I decided to try to save some money and make a new tsuka myself. I worked with wood before. I'm not perfect, but I know the basics.

 

To anyone who has done this before or know how professionals do it:

1. I heard the mune and ha side of the nakago should be almost completely covered by one half of the tsuka so the gluing seem is not direcly on the mune. Is that correct? After looking at the original (broken) tsuka I have, that was not the case...

2. The nakago ana on the blade and tsuka are always very slightly displaced. Any tips on how to to that properly?

3. What glue? I know rice glue is originally used, but to make some from a not readly available rice-type and just fo a tsuka... I was thinking normal wood glue (Holzkaltleim for our German members).

 

---OR:---

If you can suggest a good and reasonably fast tsuka maker in Germany, preferably Bavaria... Feel free to give recommendations. I had to drive to Hamburg for the old one and it took 6 months!

 

Thanks!

 

 

Hi,

 

just a suggestion:

http://www.nihonto.eu/de/restauration/t ... on/katana/

 

 

 

Regards,

 

Hi

 

I did not view the whole website but I did click the link and trying not to be too critical the Tsukamaki on the home page has the first basic mistake of not alternating the twists

[Kai-Gunto]

 

Hi

 

I did not view the whole website but I did click the link and trying not to be too critical the Tsukamaki on the home page has the first basic mistake of not alternating the twists

Thats true ,I saw it too

[Drago]

He has a Facebook link to a current project and it's correct there.

 

Besides, I'd only get a new wooden core. I don't have menuki yet so wrapping would be done later and by someone else.