Sword found at resale store

[xreflections]

Sorry for the delay. I still haven't been able to get dismantled, but the blade is 1/2 clean now. I'm going to call a place that offers classes in Japanese swordsmanship, and see if they might be able to help me dismantle it. 

[Stephen]

We can walk you thur it. I dont think your taping hard enough.

Tell us what you have tried do far.

[Stephen]

Be sure you can see daylight thru the peg hole.

[Lareon]

46 minutes ago, xreflections said:

Sorry for the delay. I still haven't been able to get dismantled, but the blade is 1/2 clean now. I'm going to call a place that offers classes in Japanese swordsmanship, and see if they might be able to help me dismantle it. 

 

Yeah we should be able to walk you through it. 

 

1. Make sure the mekugi (peg) is fully out.

2. As Stephen says . Can you see through the hole? Make sure there isn't a sliver of broken peg or something.

3. Try holding the tsuka (handle) and pressing your thumbs against the tsuba (hand guard) then extending them so your pushing against it while holding the tsuka. 

The mechanical force should move the tsuka away from the tsuba.

4. If it moves a small amount you can probably then remove it by hand. 

5. (PS don't try and use any lubricants like wd40) 

 

 

 

 

 

[xreflections]

The peg is completely removed; I can see the hole in its entirety. The tsuba wiggles a little if I press against it, and each time I tried the tapping method by gripping the sword and striking my wrist, I heard a soft metal clang like it was going to come loose, but it didn't. 

[Stephen]

I think if you tried Grey's way it would come off.

Blanket or towel on a table or counter

Sword flat on the table slowly take tsuba up to the edge and let math do the work increase bump Force until blade releases 

Easy peasy

 

[Smee78]

The cosmoline could of crept down into the handle area and then resolidified. You may need to place the sword in the sun for a while for it to warm up to get things loose? 

[PNSSHOGUN]

For particularly resistant handles I wrap the blade carefully in a large towel so it can be held firmly (obviously be very careful and logical about this). Then holding the blade vertically, with a book or padded piece wood, tap each side of the Tsuba until the handle slowly comes away, letting the weight of the book and gravity do the work.

[Brian]

Always make sure there isn't a second peg at the bottom of the handle. There shouldn't be, and doesn't look like there is one...but best to check.
Also sometimes helps to get a second person to press in the catch at the same time, in case the tsuba is really tight and catching, and the button catch isn't the thing preventing movement.
Using wood/towels/books...there is little chance of damaging anything so repeated and regular taps will get results.

[Mark]

it is very rare but i have twice come across swords where the sarute' barrel nut goes through a second hole in at the base of the tang, doubt it is the case here but just mentioning

[Smee78]

Good point Mark, I have seen a one like that also.

[Stephen]

Striking your wrist is not the process for a sword that's been sitting around for x amount of years that's for shirasaya and swords that have been cared for when undergoing maintenance. If it's giving you that much pause maybe you should wait for somebody who knows what they're doing.

[Stephen]

Mark ive never heard of that in all my years.

Good to know.

If using the table method you don't have to worry about someone holding the button because you will be.

 

[george trotter]

I came across that sarute barrel second hole in the tip of the tang many years ago....unfortunately, I tapped the hilt off a bit too much and by the time I noticed this second hole, I had badly cracked/split/messed up the same/binding etc...dang!!!!

 

Very rare, but if a hilt doesn't come off with a few taps...always check this....just saying. I learned the hard way.

[Mark S.]

I didn’t want to state the obvious so as not to come across as talking down to the OP, but now that it has been mentioned… you usually (unless very loose) DO need to hold the button down when trying to remove the blade.  It may be the reason the tsuba is loose and you hear the rattling noise, but blade is not coming out?

[ChrisW]

6 hours ago, Smee78 said:

The cosmoline could of crept down into the handle area and then resolidified. You may need to place the sword in the sun for a while for it to warm up to get things loose? 

This. You can be surprised where cosmoline can work itself into. I've had a very nice carbine Mosin-Nagant that was packed in the stuff years ago and I still find cosmoline in the deepest recesses when fully disassembled.

[Stephen]

We're a funny bunch trying to be patient waiting for the other shoe to drop, will we see  that nakago?

For someone like myself who can't buy anymore I live in vicarious pulling the nakago to find what's there!! The thrill of the find or let down of oh well..lol

[Moley]

Me too - What Stephen said....

[Stephen]

[Lareon]

7 minutes ago, Stephen said:

I have a Gunto waiting for me at home that I haven't unpacked yet, not seen beneath the mounts so who knows what the blade will be, on saturday I'll unpack it and slowly add photos as I go just for you guys @Stephen @Moley

[Stephen]

A nice slow strip tease please...lol

[Lareon]

7 minutes ago, Stephen said:

A nice slow strip tease please...lol

 

I'll leave you hanging on nakago for a couple of days

[Stephen]

👍😆

[robinalexander]

Anyone every had a Tsuka that was glued on?

[Stephen]

Yep nasty mess, before he brought it to me to work on he decided to un lace everything and split the tsuka. Wood splinters stuck to the nakago.... Horrible mess, but we saved the patina!

[robinalexander]

Then I wonder if Aiden has found a similar problem?

[Stephen]

To me it sounded like he had the tsuba moved up a bit... Then poof he pulled the Keyser Söze

[robinalexander]

hmmmm Keyser Soze...had to look that one up.

 

[Stephen]

Not quite the right quote but it's hilarious

[robinalexander]

yes Stephen, I saw some with the Keyser Soze you were referring to but I just liked this one better