DaveM4P99 Posted January 5, 2012 Report Posted January 5, 2012 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! Quote
pcfarrar Posted January 5, 2012 Report Posted January 5, 2012 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. Quote
Curran Posted January 5, 2012 Report Posted January 5, 2012 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 $300+ a few years ago. Quote
Jean Posted January 5, 2012 Report Posted January 5, 2012 Hi Curran, 300+$ 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€ ..... Quote
cabowen Posted January 5, 2012 Report Posted January 5, 2012 It is actually relatively cheap compared to what it would cost you to have it done by quality craftsman in Japan.... Quote
DaveM4P99 Posted January 5, 2012 Author Report Posted January 5, 2012 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. Quote
DaveM4P99 Posted January 5, 2012 Author Report Posted January 5, 2012 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 Quote
Curran Posted January 5, 2012 Report Posted January 5, 2012 Unless his plans got torpedoed, he was moving to Florida. He announced this last fall, but not sure when he moves. Quote
pcfarrar Posted January 6, 2012 Report Posted January 6, 2012 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. Quote
raaay Posted January 6, 2012 Report Posted January 6, 2012 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 $$$$ just my two cents worth ray Quote
DaveM4P99 Posted January 6, 2012 Author Report Posted January 6, 2012 Dave If you are getting your sword back polished and in a new shira saya ! why don't you just pick up a Gunto Tsuka and habaki of Ebay and use your own tsuba /sepa and repair the saya and have a tsunagi made I think that would save you lots off $$$$ 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? Quote
Ruben Posted January 6, 2012 Report Posted January 6, 2012 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 Quote
DaveM4P99 Posted January 6, 2012 Author Report Posted January 6, 2012 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? Quote
Brian Posted January 6, 2012 Report Posted January 6, 2012 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 Quote
Ruben Posted January 6, 2012 Report Posted January 6, 2012 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 Quote
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