Fred Lahmon (SP?) Supplier for Japanese Wrap material??? Need a link

[Hankins]

Fred Lamon (SP?) Supplier for Japanese Wrap material??? Need a link Friend of mine told me about him.
Not sure of the spelling says they are based in San Fran
Found it: http://www.japanese-swords.com/

 

[Pinoy Knife]

Robert
Fred Lohman of Portland ... Here is a Link to his web site http://www.japanese-swords.com/
used to be able to walk in then had to make appointment .. all avail by web

 

[ryan9977]

i like the look of the leather wrap?.....how hard is it to wrap a handle like that?.....ryan

 

[wnease]

I've heard only good about Fred, and supposedly that leather ito is easy to work with

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Leather ito is pretty easy to work with if it is good stuff.....and Fred carries only the good stuff.

All tsuka-maki is a product of practice, but the main ingredient is time.
If you want a leather wrapped handle, get some regular 10mm silk or cotton ito and tie and un-tie a handle several times before you do the final wrap in leather.

Make some sort of "knife Vise" to hold the handle or knife/sword so you can rotate it as you do the wrap. You have to be able to move from side to side without loosing your grip. If you try it freehand it will drive you nuts....and probably not come out even.