Ruslan T. Posted January 5, 2007 Report Posted January 5, 2007 Hi all, I am a beginner in world of Nihonto and Kodogo. I have some questions of the kind “you always wanted, but afraid to ask†:-). As far as I know in Meiji period quite a lot sword fittings (for instance menuki) was converted to jewellery (like brooches or cufflinks). I have seen some fuchi-kashiras converted to match-boxes. And quite often you can see kozukas as a handle of a table knifes. Sometimes these kozukas have quite a high quality. Here is a link to an eBay auction (hopefully this should not be a reason to move this thread to eBay-discussion ) where you can see one of the samples. http://cgi.ebay.com/GENUINE-Japanese-KOZUKA-SAMURAI-SWORD-PAPER-KNIFE_W0QQitemZ300065264843QQihZ020QQcategoryZ66841QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem I wonder, have someone tried to remove the knife blade and restore the kozuka? Is there any possibility of the success? How one can do this? Thank you in advance. Best Regards, Ruslan Quote
John A Stuart Posted January 5, 2007 Report Posted January 5, 2007 Hi Ruslan, Looks like it was a fairly nice piece. The patina seems to have been worn/washed off. If you can repatinate it it might be worth a go. John PS, Not knowing how the silver blade was installed I can't say how to remove it. If the pelican fellow can tell you it might be possible to suss it out. J Quote
Ruslan T. Posted January 5, 2007 Author Report Posted January 5, 2007 Hi John, :-) It is not mine I have ogled with the piece, but someone was faster. I wonder is there an “usual†way to remove the knife, or it is different pain every time? Ruslan Quote
John A Stuart Posted January 5, 2007 Report Posted January 5, 2007 If the kogatana was put in the kozuka using matsuyani glue then just heating it to about waters boiling temp. should loosen it to be removed. If just jammed it should pull out. If some other way was used it could be problematic. John see the following http://www.johnstuart.biz/new_page_22.htm Quote
Ruslan T. Posted January 6, 2007 Author Report Posted January 6, 2007 Dear John, Thank you very much! You are a great help, as always Best Regards, Ruslan Quote
Brian Posted January 6, 2007 Report Posted January 6, 2007 Let us know how it works out. I think the later it was done, the more complex the methods might have been to seat it firmly. I have heard about them being brazed/soldered in...and sometimes they can be tough to remove. I think heat will be the main method, but depending on the fixing method, you might need more heat. Jewellers would be the ones to ask....and I think by concentrating the heat on the blade and not on the kozuka, you should be able to release it. Since the blade is probably expendable, focus the heat there. Careful not to use too much heat or you might separate the kozuka joints Brian Quote
nagamaki - Franco Posted January 7, 2007 Report Posted January 7, 2007 Hi all, And quite often you can see kozukas as a handle of a table knifes. Sometimes these kozukas have quite a high quality. Here is a link to an eBay auction (hopefully this should not be a reason to move this thread to eBay-discussion ) where you can see one of the samples. http://cgi.ebay.com/GENUINE-Japanese-KOZUKA-SAMURAI-SWORD-PAPER-KNIFE_W0QQitemZ300065264843QQihZ020QQcategoryZ66841QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem I wonder, have someone tried to remove the knife blade and restore the kozuka? Is there any possibility of the success? How one can do this? Thank you in advance. Best Regards, Ruslan Greetings, This piece was clearly made as a kitchen utensil and it would be best to leave it as such. Franco Quote
Rich T Posted January 7, 2007 Report Posted January 7, 2007 looks pretty low end, and best used for butter I think, or maybe as a letter opener. Richard Quote
Ruslan T. Posted January 11, 2007 Author Report Posted January 11, 2007 Hi all, It is true, that one usually see the low-end staff. I just remember a few beautiful kozukas with table knifes attached (on eBay of course ). I promise to send a link if I’ll see one again. I have one kozuka with table knife – letter opener. It is low-end cheap piece form begin of the 20th century. I have used the heat on the knife and then again on the kozuka itself. It worked out perfectly and I was able to separate them. I suppose the heat will also work on the real ones . Thank you all for the support. It is a great pleasure to read (and post ) the forum! Regards, Ruslan Quote
kusunokimasahige Posted January 12, 2007 Report Posted January 12, 2007 almost looks like a hamon on the blade!! nice! KM Quote
Brian Posted January 12, 2007 Report Posted January 12, 2007 Many kogatana are forged and tempered with hamon and hada. I have one here with a lovely hamon that shows nie and hataraki. Not always the case, but there are some lovely blades out there that show some great skill in forging. Many aren't, but it pays to investigate those old kogatana before you assume they are just plain steel. Brian Quote
kusunokimasahige Posted January 12, 2007 Report Posted January 12, 2007 interesting!!! i will be careful whenever i come across one.. maybe off topic but i am still looking for some Japanese forged kitchen knives (high class) i once saw on a documentary... they also have hamon.... any information on where i could obtain such a set? KM Quote
John A Stuart Posted January 12, 2007 Report Posted January 12, 2007 Hi KM, Try here. http://sushi-knifes.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc Quote
kusunokimasahige Posted January 12, 2007 Report Posted January 12, 2007 THANK YOU!! thats exactly what i meant!! KM Quote
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