Swords Posted January 23 Report Posted January 23 I have a question regarding the Tsuka When I move it back and forth there’s a little bit wobble The menuki isn’t that tight maybe a thicker one would work? I read that others say the tsuka may shrink over time ? Maybe it’s not a big deal but it really bothers me Then I’m thinking is it the original tsuka Is this normal for these navy swords? Steve Quote
Paul G Posted January 23 Report Posted January 23 I think you mean, you may need a thicker Mekugi (bamboo peg). Also, if the wooden handle was shrunk over time, the fit would be tighter, not looser. Nice looking Kaigunto. PG- 2 Quote
Swords Posted January 24 Author Report Posted January 24 Yes thicker mekugi That makes sense tight rather than loose so I’m back to square one Quote
KungFooey Posted January 24 Report Posted January 24 Anyone can see that mekugi is waaay too small. But why does the wobble bother you so much? It's not like your gonna swing it around Steve (I hope 😳) Dee 1 1 Quote
Tohagi Posted January 24 Report Posted January 24 Hello, This is not the original mekugi anyway, it doesn't matters to change it. When you take it off, check if the mekugi ana of the nakago is slightly out of the line of the mekugi ana of the tsuka. It should be 1mm out focus in the direction of the top of the sword. If it's not, a bigger mekugi is useless, you will have to slightly open the mekugi ana of the tsuka...or put some craft paper in the back side of the nakago one... Non orthodox but will fix the issue. Best regards, Eric Quote
robinalexander Posted January 24 Report Posted January 24 On 1/23/2025 at 10:22 PM, Swords said: When I move it back and forth there’s a little bit wobble Expand Steve when you say this, do you mean sideways rather than length ways? If so, a 'fold' of paper/light cardboard inserted into the Tsuka (with Mekugi ana) will tighten it up. Just play with paper prototypes to get exact shape/length before deciding on thickness. I had a civilian Wak the came back from New Guinea with 'the local paper of the day' (1945?) inserted to tighten things up. I have always believed that where there is a fair amount of 'sideways slop' in a Tsuka, it is more often due to a replacement Tsuka rather than any shrinkage ... but that is only my belief. Your fittings appear to be nicely matched if not original. If it's a Mekugi peg the they are easily made and 'aged' to match ....as Eric indicated, yours is probably not the original....they are a replaceable item. PS ..I also cannot stand a 'wobbly Tsuka' 1 1 Quote
Swords Posted January 24 Author Report Posted January 24 I will try both the mekugi and craft paper Its not a excessive wobble but it still bothers me I hope its not a replacement tsuka I don’t plan on swinging around I just get hyper focused on things but I will use the comments and hopefully it will work Thanks for the help Any one know where I can get a thicker mekugi Steve Quote
KungFooey Posted January 24 Report Posted January 24 On 1/24/2025 at 1:48 PM, Swords said: Any one know where I can get a thicker mekugi Steve Expand Steve, it's just a piece of bamboo!!! 😳 You take a chopstick, work out which end is the right thickness and saw off a length to match the width of your tsuka. It's not rocket science. Dee 1 1 Quote
Tohagi Posted January 24 Report Posted January 24 If you practice sword kendo, use a broken shinaï to make one, the hard part of the mekugi back side. If not, good old bamboo chopsticks will work... Quote
Swords Posted January 24 Author Report Posted January 24 Thanks for the advice but even the chopsticks are too small it’s a good size tang hole I’m considering another seppa but it already looks tight as it is Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted January 24 Report Posted January 24 On 1/24/2025 at 1:48 PM, Swords said: Any one know where I can get a thicker mekugi Expand Several choices here: Google Search showing Mekugi for Sale Quote
Swords Posted January 24 Author Report Posted January 24 Thanks Bruce I found some on amazon hopefully they are thick enough and will work If not im screwed Quote
KungFooey Posted January 25 Report Posted January 25 Hey Steve, You strike me as a knitting kind of guy so how about bamboo knitting needles? Available in many different widths - thickest I've got is 6.3mm. Dee And "if not im screwed" ......seriously?!! You're screwed because you can't cut a little piece of wood? 😳 1 Quote
Jim P Posted January 25 Report Posted January 25 Hi Steve, Making Mekugi https://cottontailcu...s.com/making-mekugi/ 4 Quote
Swords Posted January 25 Author Report Posted January 25 Dee Im a little upset Probably the wrong word to use Anyway Do you know where I can obtain knitting needles ? Thanks to both you and Jim for your good ideas Steve Quote
Swords Posted January 25 Author Report Posted January 25 Never mind Dee Amazon has them I just have to know the diameter I think you graduated to a pebble Steve 1 Quote
Stephen Posted January 25 Report Posted January 25 Miss Dee Maybe lighten up on the new not so informed members, I know you mean well but kind of coming off overbearing there are other ways of assisting other than browbeating. NMB Gpa Quote
KungFooey Posted January 26 Report Posted January 26 On 1/25/2025 at 6:59 PM, Stephen said: Miss Dee Maybe lighten up on the new not so informed members, I know you mean well but kind of coming off overbearing there are other ways of assisting other than browbeating. NMB Gpa Expand Dear Gpa Stephen, I got Steve his knitting needles and made it from sand to pebble, didn't I? All is well! 😉❤️ 2 1 Quote
Swords Posted January 30 Author Report Posted January 30 I got some different size mekugi and seppas from Japan I took the thicker one cut it to length sanded it and put it in the tsuka No more wobble didn’t even need seppas The dealer fro Japan sent them no charge Thanks for all the support Steve 3 1 Quote
KungFooey Posted January 31 Report Posted January 31 I'm real happy for you Steve - that's great news! By the way, you've got one amazing gunto collection going on there in the background!!! Do you mind me asking how many you have? Best, Dee Quote
Swords Posted February 1 Author Report Posted February 1 Dee I have 7 now I had sold many so I’m trying to keep it at that current number with the nicest ones Unless I find a good price on a higher end I will sell my least favorite Now I have more Mekugi pegs different sizes I need and seppas 😆 Steve I got some different size mekugi and seppas from Japan I took the thicker one cut it to length sanded it and put it in the tsuka No more wobble didn’t even need seppas The dealer fro Japan sent them no charge Thanks for all the support Steve 1 Quote
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