CS Chisa Katana v2.0

[HolyRoller]

Just traded for this puppy. I used to have a CS O-Katana, and I've been missing its cutting ability and indestructibility. This is all that, in a shorter package.

The wrap was loose, and the tsuka core was cracked. With some liberal epoxy, I fixed it right up. I painted the entire core, along with the samé, matte black with high-heat stove paint, and a quick coat of matte clear protective spray.
I reapplied the ito, only with simple crossovers as opposed to the average twisting type of wrap. I tied it tight, added a few drops of superglue, and then applied shellac to the entire cotton ito wrap, saturating it. Not that it's all dry, it's nice and solid and offers a terrific grip. The diamonds aren't perfect, and there's a few spots where you can see the wood of the core (which is black, so it's not too obvious) since the diamonds are wider on this type of wrap. I don't care, it's a user.

The saya was sanded down to bare wood. I reapplied the wooden kurikata with epoxy, then hit the ENTIRE saya with paint-on truckbed liner. This is heavy duty shit, meant to coat the bed of a pickup truck. It leaves an awesome texture, and it tough as friggin' nails.

Without further adieu...

Before:

After:

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Quite interesting, though my tastes lean more towards the traditional side of things.

 

[wnease]

it's a nice fix-up job... and i've always found a flat crossover wrap way more comfy to my hands after a day of breaking granite...

 

[Bors]

It looks nice however, I have a question.... OK several questions.....did you dis-mount (remove) the handle? if so why are there no pics? where were the cracks? are there pics of the handle prier to refinishing?


I own one of these so I have an interest.....

 

[HolyRoller]

It looks nice however, I have a question.... OK several questions.....did you dis-mount (remove) the handle? if so why are there no pics? where were the cracks? are there pics of the handle prier to refinishing?


I own one of these so I have an interest.....

Maybe "crack" wasn't the right term. One of the glued seams of the core came undone. I stripped the whole thing and used a strong epoxy to put it together.

Yes, the handle removes relatively easily. I didn't take any photographs of it dismantled because there's nothing worth noting. I just snapped a few after I got her all put together.

I did not take the initial pictures, those were taken by the previous owner. I only have intermittent access to a decent camera, otherwise I would've documented the rebuild.

 

[HolyRoller]

Quite interesting, though my tastes lean more towards the traditional side of things.

Me too. Alas, since the sword really only has a veneer of tradition to it, I felt I had nothing to conform to. An open canvas, so to speak.

She still needs a little work; shimming the throat of the saya to tighten the fit to the habaki.

I'm also considering a simple, painted accent on the saya. Just to break up the solid black, and steer a little further from the "tacticool" look I accidentally ended up with. Heh. I'm trying to think of WHAT, though, and what color...

 

[Bors]

Maybe "crack" wasn't the right term. One of the glued seams of the core came undone. I stripped the whole thing and used a strong epoxy to put it together.

Yes, the handle removes relatively easily. I didn't take any photographs of it dismantled because there's nothing worth noting. I just snapped a few after I got her all put together.

I did not take the initial pictures, those were taken by the previous owner. I only have intermittent access to a decent camera, otherwise I would've documented the rebuild.

OK...

documenting the whole rebuild would have been more informative however, it appears to have turned out well....

 

[gregorio]

Glad to see it turned out ok for you.

Greg

 

[b.c.molin]

Good to see that the sword has gotten a facelift that makes it a much more appealing as a user! :thumbup:

 

[Don Park]

As long as the tang is two holed, probably 8 /1/2 " long, fully forged with the blade...then it should be good to go. The toughness of the blade or it's brittleness is another thing.