Type 98 repair?

[Bridges]

I’m considering branching out from type 19s as I’ve just about exhausted the category and now I’m considering shin gunto! I’m on a budget so a pristine model for the collection will have to wait and I am considering this type 98 with damaged tsuka. The first question is, can I merely wrap over the samegawa or will the whole tsuka need to be replaced? The bid is currently at 500 USD and a nice type 98 as many of you know is appreciating up to 1500. This seems like a good entry for me until I can save up for a nice one but is the type repairable?

*edit* guy claims his father brought this back from WW2 so that may explain the reprehensible condition, blade also has a small chip*

[ROKUJURO]

25 minutes ago, Bridges said:

......The first question is, can I merely wrap over the samegawa....

Yes indeed, the question is 'Can you really make a correct TSUKA-ITO'? If not, it will look really bad.

[Bridges]

@ROKUJUROhey Jean, you’re right. I’m going to find some resources and give it a go if I win. I’m just apprehensive on the cost/benefit of this buy if it turns out looking bad as you eluded. Thanks!

[cju777]

Hey Bridges,

 

Are you just looking for a nice set of mounts? There’s a nice set (I think) in for the for sale section at about $500.
 

Otherwise there can be incredible variety of what comes for the blade to determine if that is a good buy or not—traditionally made gendaito, oil quenched, machine made, old family blade of good quality, swords bought up by the gov’t including mass produced Muromachi era stuff, etc… Plus condition—does it need a polish, chip as you note, etc…

 

I’m not mainly a wartime focused collector, just a couple pieces but don’t want you to end up with junk and the tsuka-ito then is the least of your worries. Would welcome photos of the blade to make a better call. 

[Bruce Pennington]

Thanks to Guy, over on Wehrmacht-awards for this list.  For $300-400, you can get the re-wrap done by an expert.  

 

"Any recommendations for a tsukimaki wrapper here in the US of A? I'm already aware of the following:
Thomas Buck https://www.tsukamaki.net/services.htm
Moses Becerra https://nihontoantiques.com/sword-restoration/
Fred Lohman https://www.Japanese-swords.com/pages/restore.htm"

 

another:

"Walley Hofstetter of Satsuma, Fl ( https://shiningmoon13.com/# )

He is a friend. Is very talented, reasonably priced, and turn around is super fast.

https://shiningmoon13.com/#"

[Bridges]

@cju777hey Chris, seller took extremely poor pics so this is the best he had. As you noted condition is everything. Thanks @Bruce Penningtonfor linking the re-wrap experts. Much cheaper than I was expecting. Chris, the chip does have me worried. I’ll ask the seller if he can take pictures of the nakago and I’ll update if he follows through. I’m trying to limit my budget due to my upcoming wedding while also dodge junk as you mentioned. It’s quite the task!

[Tensho]

Im betting the blade is showato just based off the WWII period made habaki. I've only owned a few gunto, and the prices are rising. By the time you get done dumping money into it, you could have spent the money on one in decent polish with everything there. 

 

From what I can see you need:

Chuso $75-100

Menuki $50

Sarute(not needed) $75

Ito/wrap +/- $300

 

You are already at $1k(with sword if it sells for its original bid) and you haven't even got to the blade condition issues. 

 

I have owned enough to know that you will get sick of looking at a blade in rough shape thinking I should've just coughed up the extra $$ on something better and be happy.

[PNSSHOGUN]

Be patient and save your money, this isn't a difficult task. 

[Bridges]

Thanks guys, I’m going to take the advice and wait it out.

[Dave R]

The "chip" is the killer, there may very well be a hagire as well.

[vajo]

The sword is assembled from parts.

 

 

 

 

[dwmc]

On 2/13/2023 at 5:21 AM, Bridges said:

Thanks guys, I’m going to take the advice and wait it out.

 

Agree, take John's advice. Restoration (Basically a nightmare) Locating proper fitting parts, chuso, fuchi, etc, is difficult, if not close to impossible in some cases. Below is an example I've been working on for close to a year, chuso, fuchi, menuki, wiring. Seppa still aren't correct... Dave M.