A Puzzlment

Walosi

Walosi

Joined
Jan 10, 2001
Messages
2,618
I had reached a point in the re-finishing of the Saatisal handle on my Bura GS, at which the grooves/rings, needed to be cleaned of the dust and oil that had collected from prior wooling and oiling. The other wood handles had grooves wide enough to admit the fine rat-tailed file I had in my list of finishing tools. These were too narrow. I have other files that are not readily available (in fact, I don't know where my dad found them) that will fit into a 1/64" groove, and had to use one of them to chase out the debris. When cleaned, the grooves still measure just under 1/32". They are precise, all around the handle, except for one small place where one groove wanders slightly off course. The wood is so hard at that place that the file (held just firmly enough to remove packed in sawdust) skipped as though it was on hardened metal.

So, the puzzle is - how the h..l did the kami cut the grooves in the first place? No one, not even the steadiest Newari, can cut these narrow, even grooves with a knife. The handle was oval when they were cut, so normal "turning" is out - the depth would be irregular, and deeper on the higher arc of the oval. The only thing that comes to mind is an abrasive string, or fine wire saw, held at each end while the "turner" turns the handle while it is mounted on a firm, level base. Even then, only a very steady hand could cut these grooves to as regular a depth as they are, and in a perfectly straight line (except for the one hard spot, which would deflect such a cutting device).

Unless Uncle Bill has witnessed the process, the only way to find out is to ask Bura. Why is it I get the feeling that he might only smile ('til his eyes crinkled) and look over your shoulder toward the hills ;)
 
Hi Wal how are tricks? One technique I've used in the past for delineating a perpendicular line around a round or oval cross-sectioned piece is to take a piece of string and tie it around the piece, snap it a few times so it finds the shortest distance around and use it as a guide for a marking knife or pencil. Nylon string works best because of its springyness? (I can't think of the right word this early) I'm sure there is a lot of hand/eye co-ordination from decades of doing that particular task. Have a good one. :)
 
Gary:

There almost has to be a marking trick, like the one you've described, but it still doesn't answer the cut - a slit 1/32" wide, by about twice that for the depth, and uniform, except for hard spots in the wood.

The edges of the cut are clean and true,and I haven't been able to see any tool marks on the inside (before I started the wool & oil), even through a high-powered machinist's glass under strong light.

If Gelbu reads our posts, and takes them back to the shop, this one will probably have them howling with laughter and slapping their legs :D
 
That's an interesting consideration, Wal. I've never watched how they do this. I was always more interested in the forging process so spent most of my time in the shops at the forge. Next trip I'll try to get some pix of how they get this job done.

When I was making handles years ago I used a bandsaw to do the job. Quick and dirty.
 
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