Rice glue?

[george trotter]

Hi all,

I am about to attempt a re-bind of my Type 3 gunto tsuka and I wondered if anyone has experience with gluing the same (celluloid in my case) onto the tsuka panels?

I thought I'd use rice glue unless someone knows of a similar testureed but better/easier modern glue?

If I make rice glue, I presume I just simmer a cupful of rice until most of the water boils off and then mash the rice into a gooey paste? Is this correct?...or just boil it, pour thye water off and then mash it?

 

Also, I think I've got it understood, but if anyone has an instruction for a Type 3 "how to bind" it would be helpful.

Regards,

[hybridfiat]

Boil till soft. Drain. Leave in covered container for 3 days. Mash with a minimum of water to produce a paste.

[Bazza]

On rice glue - from Bazza's archive, courtesy David McDonald's experience freely passed on in July 2000 via Chris Bowen's still-running discussion list...

 

Bestests,

BaZZa.

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

xxx wrote:

 

> Hello all!

> I need some advice on restoring a military mounting (nothing special AND of no artistic value!!)

> Do you have any ideas how to glue some lengthwise cracks in a gunto tsuka WITHOUT removing the ito and same? Binding is very tight and original wrap, so I like to keep the antique look.

> But the wood core has some lengthwise cracks and the splittet handle *moves* under binding and same if squeesed like a towel

> I do not want to do the re-glueing for swinging the sword (that might be to dangerous) but to keep the mounting from falling apart.

> Regards

> Andreas

 

From: David W. McDonald

To:

Subject: Re: How to glue a tsuka

Date: Monday, July 10, 2000 1:30 PM

 

Dear Andreas

 

Here are two thoughts.

 

1. If the tsuka is very loose then you might be able to:

a. If shingunto tsuka and the ito does not go through the kashira

try removing the wood core, after removing the screwed in

"holes" that hold the sarute, leaving ito on the same.

b. If this works then use a wood glue and carefully glue up all

cracks. Do not glue the two halves together. Wrap with a

small cord and and let dry over night. Do not tie to tight.

c. Now make some rice glue. Use cooked rice and take about

5 grams (0.5 teaspoon) and mush between two pieces of wood.

I use a wooden spoon and a piece of wood that has been dished

out to match the spoon. Add a little water until you have a

liquid paste about like the viscosity and thickness about like

warm honey.

d. Use this glue to add small amount on one of the wood core

pieces (one of the halves).

Use your finger to wipe off glue on the inside edge of the wood

core (next to the area were the wood was inletted for the nakago).

e. Use the small cord to wrap the the two halves of wood core together.

You might want to slide onto the nakago to make sure that it will fit.

Remove from nakago and let dry over night.

f. If all has gone well side wood core into same to see if it still fits.

If it works then remove and slightly wet the wood core and spread

a thin coat of rice glue onto wood core and then slight back into

same. Add the screwed in "hole" for the sarute.

g. Place onto nakago. It maybe tight and you might need to lightly

tap into place with a plastic hammer.

 

2. If the wood core does not slide out of same or same is in two halves

not a full wrap then:

a. Use a thin screw driver to force open one of the cracks. Use a

long thin metal spatula add wood glue. Do this for all cracks.

b. Slide tsuka onto nakago until it is snug but not tight. Let set for

about 5 min and then carefully remove tsuka from nakago.

Let dry over night.

You might want to only to one crack per day. Safer.

c. clean glue off nakago.

d. use thin screw driver to open up one side of the two halves of

the wood core. Use rice glue (see above) and add glue as far

back as you can.

e. Repeat with other side of wood core.

f. Slide tsuka onto nakago until it is snug but not tight. Let set

for about 5 min. Then remove tsuka from sword and let

dry over night.

g. clean nakago

 

Cross your fingers and see if tsuka still fits your blade.

 

Not sure if the above is clear but if not please email

me with questions.

 

This will works some times and some times it does not.

 

Good luck

david

--

David McDonald Collector of Japanese Swords and Old Iron

PO Box 265 WEB page - http://www.mcn.net/~jswords

email - xxx@mcn.net

I do tsukamaki (wrapping of sword hilts)

[george trotter]

Thanks all, I have made notes...very helpful.

Regards,

[David McDonald]

Dear George

 

If you have any questions I might be able to add to what I wrote

in 2000.

 

Good luck.

 

David McDonald Collector of Japanese Swords and Old Iron

PO Box 265 WEB page - http://www.montanairon.com

Sidney MT 59270 email - jswords@mcn.net

406-482-3243 evenings I do tsukamaki (wrapping of sword hilts)

 

 

 

Thanks all, I have made notes...very helpful.

Regards,

[george trotter]

Hi David,

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.

I've prepared the tsuka and everything fits well...I'm just waiting for the ito to arrive and then...whammo! (I hope).

Will take it slow and careful.

 

The pics show another Kanehide mounted in Type 3 identical to mine and the closeup is the pattern of tsukamaki in detail. I thought I'd keep it the same as a known example.

Regards,

[Grey Doffin]

The choice of rice also matters; some rices are stickier than others. I've used Kokuho with good results and have been told that the rice used to make mochi is another good one for glue. White rice, not brown.

Grey

[cabowen]

The choice of rice also matters; some rices are stickier than others. I've used Kokuho with good results and have been told that the rice used to make mochi is another good one for glue. White rice, not brown.

Grey

 

I think mochi rice is what is usually used....