Restoring a Tanto

[james_green42]

Hello all

New to Nihonto. I have this Tanto and at some point in its life someone glued the tsuka on. Is there anyone that can fix that? Can/should it be restored? any advice is much appreciated. 

 

 

https://imgur.com/GPvfL5N

 

https://imgur.com/Twr9yQF

 

https://imgur.com/f61rWFA

 

https://imgur.com/YTPnVHE

 

https://imgur.com/ePNx0Hi

 

https://imgur.com/Z4le7X2

 

https://imgur.com/OjLTn3u

 

https://imgur.com/067N0E0

 

https://imgur.com/GjeTKhb

 

https://imgur.com/zXS1fwq

 

 

[Tanto54]

Hi James,

 

Just checking to make sure you took the mekugi (small bamboo peg that holds the sword in the handle) out before trying to remove the sword (sorry if you already know that, but it's a mistake that many newcomers make).   I notice that it is still in place in all the photos.  It's the small peg in the handle about an inch below the blade guard (it only comes out in one direction).  If you have already tried that, how do you know it's been glued?  The habaki and some of the tosogu look like they've been spray painted black (a definite sign of a Western "fix it upper"...).   The hada (surface "skin" of the blade) looks like it's been "polished" (improperly too...)  I also notice a few fingerprints on the blade which can cause problems.  Look at the info linked at the top for how to care for a sword if you don't already know.  To answer your question, yes, there are several people who could help with these problems, but in general, it is expensive to get it done right and from what I can see of your tanto, it might not be economically worth it to fix everything...  Let me know about the mekugi and I can offer further info.

[james_green42]

yes I took the mekugi out, that's when I found out the tsuka is glued on as there was glue of some sort on the mekugi and i can see it in-between the metal and wood. "it might not be economically worth it to fix everything" can you tell me more as I'm a novice at this stuff. 

[Grey Doffin]

Hi James,

Try to find contact info for Brian Tschernega, who lives near Seattle.  Maybe he is linked above.  He should be able to help with the glued tsuka without doing damage.  If someone tells you how you can fix this yourself, don't listen; this shouldn't be left to an amateur.

Grey

[Tanto54]

Dear James,

 

First of all, congratulations!  Many new collectors bought fake swords or total "dogs" for their first sword.  Based on what I can see in the photos (it would be better for someone to see it in person...), the blade is legitimate but not very old and is probably not very valuable.  In order to properly fix the blade, you'd need to get it polished and that would most probably cost more than the sword is worth (it costs several thousand dollars for a polish).  However, if the sword has special meaning to you, then you might want to do that anyway.  As Grey said, don't let an amateur do anything to the blade or fittings - it will definitely ruin any of the current value.  Only a properly trained polisher (who has trained for many years in the Japanese polishing tradition) could polish this without reducing its value.  The fittings tell us that this was cobbled together by someone who did not know what they were doing (outside Japan - probably in an effort to get a higher price).  The fuchigashira (the pommel and collar on the handle) look like they were pretty good at one time; however, someone has painted them black in places to coverup worn patina.  Similarly, the habaki has been painted black (and may not be from this sword), and one of the menuki (the decorations under the handle wrap) is missing (and the remaining one may be a modern copy).   Correcting all these problems would cost several thousand dollars and in the end, you probably wouldn't be able to recover that cost if you sold it.  Having said that, it would be a good idea to take a look at the nakago (the tang under the handle) to see if the sword is potentially more valuable than it appears.  Someone like Brian (who Grey mentioned) or Ted Tenold could probably help you get the handle off without causing damage and give you an honest idea of the value of the sword (I do not have any commercial connection to either of these gentlemen - I just know that they have very good reputations for work and honesty).  Finally, like I said before, you've done better than many of us on your first sword, and you can keep it like it is and enjoy it for a long time (please do look at the care instructions and keep it properly oiled).

[james_green42]

Thank you everyone for the insight. I will try getting ahold of Brian Tschernega to see if he is willing to take on this project. At this time I'm willing to spend the coin to restore it. It's my first and plan on keeping it.