To Seppa Or Not To Seppa?

[Windy]

Having recently got my hands on a nice Type 98, the subsequent clean up (was liberally caked in grease) left the tsuba a little loose. I've bought a couple of brass seppa and also have some brown leather which makes a decent enough fix.

 

The trouble is, where either option does the job nicely, the extra spacing is rendering the saya latch ineffective. Is there a way around this, or just something I'll have to live with?

[Windy]

A couple of pics post clean up and with leather seppa added. (Brass pair arrived later and probably look neater).

[PNSSHOGUN]

Two options:

 

-*Carefully* filing down the latch until it matches the new seppa height.

 

-Shimming the saya, I have used wooden veneer method to great effect on many swords. The latch will still not work but the sword will be tightly fitted in the saya.

 

I have used both, but filing down the latch is risky, they are often a little fragile.

[Windy]

Thanks for your input. Just to be clear, if going down the filing route, it would be the on the area marked?

[Shamsy]

I'd not be making any alterations myself. To avoid the loose tsuka which may eventually cause damage if constantly rattling, I'd add the leather seppa.

 

Unless this is already a parts sword, I'd not consider altering it irrevocably for any reason. The saya latch is a small concern, unless you plan on throwing it around anyway.

[PNSSHOGUN]

Try the veneer shim method first, it's not permanent and retains the sword much better than the latch.

[Windy]

Cheers guys. To be honest, wasn't keen on making any permanent alterations to the furniture of the sword.

The brass seppa I bought tightens everything up just right, only consequence is that the latch won't engage, which is to be expected.

[Windy]

Try the veneer shim method first, it's not permanent and retains the sword much better than the latch.

Forgive my ignorance, how does this work?

[PNSSHOGUN]

http://www.instructables.com/id/Tighten-a-Loose-Sword-Sheath/

It's not permanent either and very easy.

[Windy]

Ahhh thanks. However the sword is quite a good fit in the saya. It's the tsuba that was a little loose.

[Dave R]

 How close a fit is the Tsuba round the Nakago? 

[Windy]

How close a fit is the Tsuba round the Nakago?

 

It seems to be a good fit, no play, but last few mm its tight. Needs a tap to get the holes to line up properly.

[Dave R]

 Just like it should be then. I wondered a little with you describing it as loose.

[Windy]

Once the tsuka is on tight, takes a couple of firm taps (onto a soft pad of leather), there is just a very slight wiggle on the tsuba.

One leather seppa or a pair of repro brass seppa (Nine Circles) seem to make it just right.....bar the latch no longer engaging.

[Rich S]

Try using thinner leather or only one leather seppa or one less brass seppa.  I've also used (I'll never admit it) black poster paper (edge blackened with magic maker) to get tsuba/tsuka to fit right.  Just a thought.

 

Rich