Advice for new koshirae in France / Europe

[francois2605]

Hello all,

 

I have a wakizashi whose koshirae ideally would need to be replaced. The sword is not a high-end one so I don't want to spend (much) more on the koshirae than on the sword.

 

I was wondering if you could point me to trustworthy people in France or Europe who could be commissioned for creating a new koshirae.

 

Thanks very much for you insights.

 

Edit: Just realized I probably posted in the wrong forum, admins, please feel free to move to the correct one.

[Gakusee]

Mike Hickman Smith in the U.K.

[francois2605]

Thanks Michael for the suggestion, this name led me to this older topic where you also mentioned Mike however I'm unable to find his contact information via Google.

 

Would someone be able to PM me with his contact info ?

 

Thank you very much.

[paulb]

pm sent

[TETSUGENDO]

Francois,

 

If you do not wish to invest too much, perhaps a Shirasaya should be a consideration.  I'm afraid you will find that the cost of a "new" Koshirae can easily exceed the value of a modest wakizashi.

 

-S-

[francois2605]

Hi Steven, yes that would be another option although I'm not sure that would be my first preference as I really like the tsuka, F/K and tsuba attached to the wakizashi. I would feel that having it shirasaya'ed would be a step in the "wrong" direction.

 

Obviously it all depends on the costs involved, at the moment I have no figure yet to decide.

[Gunome]

you could also go for a shirasaya and order a tsunagi to keep your original koshirae

[TETSUGENDO]

Francois,

 

From your comment it sounds like a new saya along with a bit of conservation to the other pieces may do.....mind you, all of this is highly skilled work that may still cost more than you expect.

 

Good Luck, 

       -S-

[francois2605]

Thanks all for being so helpful    

 

I'm currently in touch with Mike H.S. about my restoration needs.

[Ken-Hawaii]

Please show us photos once you've decided.

[francois2605]

Here are some pictures of the wakizashi and the damaged koshirae

[Gunome]

For me, you just need this saya repared and relaqued. No need of a new full koshirae

[TETSUGENDO]

Francois,

 

Since you will have the expense of a Koiguchi, Kurigata, and Kojiri(?), repairing the original Saya makes little sense.  As you can't know how stable the seemingly undamaged areas of lacquer are....why pay to have something "fixed" that has a good possibility of giving you trouble down the road.  If the Saya had some special artistic merit, elaborate decoration for instance, the risk would be one worth taking.  Since said Saya is easily reproduced by a skilled professional, going out on a limb to "save" it is unwarranted.

 

-S-

[francois2605]

Sebastien / Steven, 

 

Mike explained that he could try to save the original saya unless it's damaged beyond repair (which doesn't seem to be the case) or doesn't fit the blade (something frequent apparently). 

 

But the cost difference between repairing vs getting a new saya is only 100 GBP (less than I expected for this kind of work) so my preference would really go towards having a new one. I'll also have to pay for the koiguchi, kurigata and kojiri (as you noticed, Steven).

[TETSUGENDO]

Well done Francois, I think you'll be happy you made this choice.  Will look forward to seeing the result of your efforts.

 

Bonne chance,

         -S-

[parfaitelumiere]

quelles sont les dimensions de ton fourreau?
Je suis en France, j'ai peut-être un fourreau qui correspondrait.

[vajo]

Nice Waki. The fittings are good. 

[francois2605]

quelles sont les dimensions de ton fourreau?

Je suis en France, j'ai peut-être un fourreau qui correspondrait.

Just replied to your PM, Patrice 

[francois2605]

Nice Waki. The fittings are good. 

Thanks Chris 

[takakage]

Hi

Zenon can do it or Movilli.

[francois2605]

Update: the wakizashi is now in Mike Hickman-Smith's hands

[francois2605]

Update: I received the renovated koshirae today from Mike Hickman-Smith. Will try to post pictures of the end result here soon.

 

 

Thanks to Paul B & Gakusee who recommended hiring Mike for this work.

[Abaris]

I'm sorry for necroposting but... Did you ever post pictures of the new koshirae? I'm collecting fittings for my own wakizashi (which doesn't have koshirae) and would love to see Mike's work. 

 

Also if you could PM me the contact info, I couldn't thank you enough.

[francois2605]

Hi @Abaris,

 

Here are some pictures I just took of the renovated koshirae. As you can see it uses mother of pearl and the lacquer used has a green tint.

 

I was really happy with Mike's work. He renovated the koshirae before Brexit was a thing and when it was easy to ship swords to the UK.

 

As far as I remember, the shitodome were made by Mike

 

 

[Abaris]

What a beauty