(rather urgent) How to remove a stuck habaki?

[Drago]

It is time to take proper care of my sword again. I only bought it not so long ago, and this will be the second time I do it.

 

When I cleaned and oiled my blade the first time (my first time doing sword maintenance as well) I didn't try to remove the habaki. It is stuck really good.

 

What can I do to remove it without damaging the blade and habaki?

 

(Nagamitsu blade with silver-coated copper habaki)

 

I found one topic here where the person used extreme measures (http://www.nihontomessageboard.com/nmb/ ... f=1&t=6651) and on other website it says to take a piece of soft wood and slightly hammer on both sides.

 

But I'm really afraid of damaging the habaki and blade, so I'd like to hear your opinions first.

 

Thanks.

[pcfarrar]

Soak the habaki with some oil and then just hammer it off using soft wood. I've used that method a few times on gunto with habaki that were rusted on.

[Bazza]

The trouble with hammering on silver foil, even gently with wood, is that the silver foil will most likely be damaged - a great pity if it has nice work on it. A method I have used very successfully without damage is to slowly pour a kettle of boiling water over the habaki (tang down) whilst rotating the blade. When the water is all gone take a piece of thick cloth (have it ready to hand), wrap it around the habaki, grip it tightly on the habaki, and gently (more or less...) bang the tang down on a largish block of soft wood (eg., pine in a 4 inch x 4 inch x 12 inch length). The habaki usually comes off fairly easily. If this doesn't move the habaki then one is reduced to hammering directly on it. Again, here one can still use the hot water, but use a piece of soft wood as a drift (i.e., intermediary block between the hammer and habaki).

 

Regards,

BaZZa.

(aka Barry Thomas)

[Veli]

If the copper habaki is silver-coated (by e.g. electrolytic coating process) you can very carefully try to tap the habaki off with a hammer, using a soft piece of wood in between. But if the habaki has a silver (or gold) foil glued on the copper core, hammering will easily inflict ugly damage, like Bazza mentioned.

 

Veli

[Drago]

From taking a closer looks at my habaki I'd say it's electroliytically coated. (it's silver on the inside as well and the rubbing doesn't look like it's just plated)

 

Anyway, thanks for your help. Turns out it wasn't necessary in the end. I found a nice piece of hard rubber in my toolbox that had a perfect notch for the habaki and hammer (so I won't accidentally hit the blade) and it worked like a charm.

 

I took my time properly cleaning the inside of the habaki as well, to avoid it sticking or rusting on later.

 

But I will keep what you said in mind should it become necessary later.

 

Thank you again.

[Lindus]

Easy to remove without damage,put a little penetrating oil on and then gently heat,it should come away without damage to either blade or Habaki. Have done this many times.

Roy