Cost to remake a new Tsuka and Saya - $1,200???

[DaveM4P99]

Hi All - So I should be getting my wakizashi back from the polisher next week...and am looking into getting a WWII (shin gunto?) style tsuka made from scratch (new core, new wrappings, but using MY existing habaki, tsuba, end cap, fittings etc.) I am also looking to get a nice new Saya made along with the new tsuka.

 

I inquired with a pretty well respected polisher and tsuka/saya maker in Long Island (New York)...Nihonto Antiques...http://www.nihontoantiques.com/nurisaya_and_koshirai%20new.htm

 

So he is quoting me a cost of $1,200 to mount the sword...meaning he will remake the tsuka (using my shin gunto fittings) and make a custom black laquered Saya...He says that the $1,200 includes the following services:

New standard black lacquered saya.

New Handle core and Same (Shark skin).

Mounting and fitting Tsuba, Fuchi, Kashira, menuki and new Seppa if needed.

Tsukamaki new handle wrap in silk.

(Client must supply all fittings. Tsuba, fuchi/kashira and menuki

 

Turnaround time is 2-6 months too...

 

What does everyone think? Is this a fair price? Sounds steep to me, but I know nothing.

 

Thanks!

[pcfarrar]

Does you sword currently have a regular gunto saya? If so just get the wooden liner replaced and that should save you a load of money.

[Curran]

Actually, NihontoAntiques moved to Florida. Yes/No? Or is in the process of joining us in the sunshine and beach state.

I so take the beach for granted now that I miss snow and was excited to get snowfall in Dublin last Christmas 2010. Made the Cuban cigars all that much more enjoyable while walking around.

 

Cost of my tsuka alone a few years ago cost $800. West Coast work.

$1200 doesn't seem out of whack to me at all if you are getting a black lacquer saya with it. Shirasaya was running $300+ a few years ago.

[Jean]

Hi Curran,

 

300+$ for a Shirasaya was a gift, now it would be not far from 500+. The yen is incredibly strong. For the first time today 1 ¥ = 0,01003 €. 3 years ago, I bought a Mino Tanto for 450 000¥ roughly 2 780€. Now it is worth 4 500€ .....

[cabowen]

It is actually relatively cheap compared to what it would cost you to have it done by quality craftsman in Japan....

[DaveM4P99]

Does you sword currently have a regular gunto saya? If so just get the wooden liner replaced and that should save you a load of money.

 

Yes I do have the original gunto saya...but does it look beyond restoration? The leather is pretty beat up...the tip area is damaged, and I don't know if the leather wrappings can even be taken off without getting destroyed...

 

 

I also still have all of the fittings, except the menuki. (The Kashira/pommel is not pictured).

 

I know the WWII gunto style isn't the most desirable, but it is how I relate best to the history of the blade.

[DaveM4P99]

Actually, NihontoAntiques moved to Florida. Yes/No? Or is in the process of joining us in the sunshine and beach state.

I so take the beach for granted now that I miss snow and was excited to get snowfall in Dublin last Christmas 2010. Made the Cuban cigars all that much more enjoyable while walking around.

 

Cost of my tsuka alone a few years ago cost $800. West Coast work.

$1200 doesn't seem out of whack to me at all if you are getting a black lacquer saya with it. Shirasaya was running $300+ a few years ago.

 

Hmmm...according to their website, they are still in Commack, NY (Long Island).

http://www.nihontoantiques.com/contact_us.htm

[Curran]

Unless his plans got torpedoed, he was moving to Florida.

He announced this last fall, but not sure when he moves.

[pcfarrar]

Yes I do have the original gunto saya...but does it look beyond restoration? The leather is pretty beat up...the tip area is damaged, and I don't know if the leather wrappings can even be taken off without getting destroyed...

 

It shouldn't be a problem for someone skilled in gunto restoration.

[raaay]

Dave

 

If you are getting your sword back polished and in a new shira saya ! why don't you just pick up a

Gunto Tsuka and habaki of Ebay and use your own tsuba /sepa and repair the saya and have a tsunagi made

I think that would save you lots off $$$$

 

just my two cents worth

 

ray

[DaveM4P99]

Dave

 

If you are getting your sword back polished and in a new shira saya ! why don't you just pick up a

Gunto Tsuka and habaki of Ebay and use your own tsuba /sepa and repair the saya and have a tsunagi made

I think that would save you lots off $$$$

 

just my two cents worth

 

ray

 

Hmm interesting. I actually already have the original copper habaki which still fits- according to the polisher...But I figured the tsuka had to be custom fitted. No? I know a lot of WWII shin gunto were standardized, but still thought they needed a little custom fitting...

 

Or are you saying that I would just display the gunto tsuka (and gunto saya) separately, and not have them mounted to the blade?

 

So would this fit my blade? I assume no. http://www.ebay.com/itm/WW2-ORIGINAL-IMPERIAL-Japanese-NCO-SAMURAI-SWORD-TSUKA-GRIP-GUNTO-PART-/110797970980?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19cc12de24

 

Also, does that tsuka look fake to anyone else?

[Ruben]

Hi Dave,

 

1200 $ is a good price, but are you realy like the work on nihontoantiques page, ...juging from pics ?. :|

Tsuka- maki is quit beautyfully done.

 

Regards

 

Ruben

[DaveM4P99]

Hi Dave,

 

1200 $ is a good price, but are you realy like the work on nihontoantiques page, ...juging from pics ?. :|

 

Regards

 

Ruben

 

Looks like pretty good work to me...but what do I know?

[Brian]

Check with this guy, might have some stuff you can use.

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=11890

Traditionally, you would display your sword in the shirasaya, and with the fittings below it, held together with a wooden filler blade.

So buy a tsuka, rig up a wood blade, and display the complete fittingd with the sword in shirasaya.

 

Brian

[Ruben]

Look at the kojiri and koiguchi were its meets the laquer, I dont realy like this from juging with my beginners eye´s

 

greetings

 

ruben