Source needed for Tsunagi

[Ed Hicks]

Another unusual request...Source needed for ready made Tsunagi...I have had custom made ones for swords, of course, but I have several sets of old mounts that need tsunagi for display and other than butchering a tree or two to make my own would anyone know of someone who offers such a thing? It seems that spare mekugi and tsunagi are items commonly needed and someone must make them...Sources, ideas? Could be an opportunity here for an able craftsman. Thanks. Ed

[b.hennick]

HI Ed:

I have seen them for sale on ebay. One seller had many. I just checked and didn't find any. I think that you would have to check often.

[seattle1]

Hello:

I would expect little of ready made tsunagi as a proper one is a perfect match for the blade, including niku. Both Brian Tschernega and John Tirado make excellent tsunagi, but of course they can be costly and there is wait.

Arnold F.

[Dave R]

http://www.namikawa-ltd.co.jp/cgi/item_ ... te=15&no=9

[Guido]

I know that Noshû Tôken (http://www.nosyu-token.jp/) sells Tsunagi (and Saya and Same and horn parts and so on), they always have bundles of them at the DTI.

[george trotter]

Ed, Just thinking out loud...you don't say if you only have the mounts or you also have their blade?

If the former, I'd think about making a tsunagi that is only say 12" of blade plus an adequate nakago...this way you don't have to interfere with the saya or tsuka. You can make the short blade/nakago tsunagi and it will hold everything together just fine for display (I used to make them out of good dry balsa wood...worked fine and being softer than the saya and tsuka wood they would compress a little and sit "firm" in the saya/tsuka).

If the latter, and you have a blade then I don't have to tell you you can order the tsunagi blanks from one of those sites and trace out the blade on it and then shave the blank until the sori, niku and nakago etc are a snug fit.

Good luck,

[Ed Hicks]

George and all who replied, thanks for the advice.. I have several sets of complete mounts languishing that would benefit from an inexpensive tsunagi and nothing that requires a custom made one... I'll try a couple ideas presented here and see what happens. Ed

[b.hennick]

I have used paint stir sticks that I whittled to do the job. Not a full tsunagi but it did do the job - available free at most paint stores.

[David McDonald]

Dear Ed

 

Here is a thought.

 

Set the saya onto a long strip of paper.

This will allow you to trace the shape/curvature.

Use a long thin rod to determine the length inside the saya.

Use a caliper to measure the thickness and width at the koiguchi.

 

Use this information to modify the tracing from the saya.

 

Then use the thin rod to measure the length inside the tsuka.

Use the caliper to measure the thickness and width at the fuchi opening.

 

Add this information to the modified tracing from the saya.

 

If the length on the saya is reduced by about 1-3 cm then a blank tsunagi

can be easily made.

 

You then take the blank and file to fit. Takes a little bit of time but works.

 

I have ho-wa and can make the blanks if you are interested.

Cost $50 each or you buy a stick of ho-wa ($100 each) and you cut??

 

You can also use popular or ash.

 

later

david mcdonald

jswords@mcn.net

[Dave R]

I have also been told that a Lead (as in the metal) wire can be used to gauge the inside of the Saya and Tsuka.