How to affix a tsuba?

Ferret

Ferret

Joined
Jan 20, 2000
Messages
1,749
Someone local is after a tac sword and, after speaking to his kendo pal, would like a tsuba. Out the window goes the catching guards I had planned and suddenly I'm adrift in a world of tradition and terminology.
In plain english, can someone point me in the right direction re attaching a tsuba to a cord wrapped full tang sword. Any help appreciated, thank you :)
 
Well, if it is a traditional sword, jsut pop the peg out of the handle, pull off the handle (traditionally, all of the wrapping is held intact on the handle by the fuchi and kashira).

Next, remove any spacers (seppa, small oval copper or brass washers)

At this point, only the habaki (copper or brass collar that fits onto the blade base) should be on the bare blade, and the tang is totally exposed.

To fit the tsuba on, you may need to file the hole in the tsuba to fit snugly on the tang, behind the habaki.

Now, after the tsuba hole is properly profiled, you have to put it all back together again. if the sword had the sepps (spacers, they go one on each side of the tsuba. so putting the sword bact together you have, from point to pommel (kashira):

blade+habaki+seppa+tsuba+seppa+handle.

depending on the thickness of your tsuba, you may need to do one of the following:
1. Drill a new hole in the tang, to align the hole inthe handel with the tang hole.
2. Drill a new hole in the handle, which looks bad unless concealed.

Hope this helps!

Keith
 
Ferret how you doing if this sword is a full tang tac style where the cord is wrapped around the steel tang itself without a wood handle that slips over the tang then do it like any other guard just make sure it has a tight fit then silver solder it to the tang if the solder job is done right the joint between the tang and tsuba will be as strong if not stronger than the sword itself hope this helps

Lee Brooks
Knifemaker
BROOKSKNIVES.canada


brooksknives@hotmail.com
 
Of the two, I'd definitely say "SILVER SOLDER!" Much less headache and hassle. (Not to mention expense!)

Just don't ask the guy which he prefers, he might say; "Traditional!"
:D
 
It is becoming like that! I wish his kendo mate would shut up. As soon as he mentions clay tempering I'm oughta there! :D
 
Dave
How can you not clay temper it. Its a sword not a knife. It won't have any kama if it goes in a vacuum oven.
I was told by a Japanese lady in the sushi shop that cats piss works well for quenching so as to imbue a stong spirit into a sword.
All the best :-}
Pinpoint

PS: If you need any cats piss I understand the RSPCA can do a deal for you. :-)
 
Burning cat piss is second only to burnt automatic transmission fluid as the most disgusting smell on the planet. I sure as hell ain't gonna eat no sushi in Oz!
Dav- Are you going to use a Habaki? What will the sheath system be?
You could solder the Tsuba on, then do a Turk's head knot behind it, like Walley Hayes does on his Tackanas. No matter how you do it, I'll wager his kendo mate will slag on it anyways. What was it Orwell said about "smelly little orthodoxies"?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top