Is willow suitable for sayas?

[Alex Topfer]

Hi
Has anyone used willow to make sayas?
The traditional woods like poplar and magnolia aren't really available here in Australia, but an arborist acquaintance has a supply of willow
(If only i lived near where i grew up, I know of a patch of poplar i could fell)

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I think willow would be fine. What you want for a saya is a soft by reasonably sturdy wood. Make sure it is fully dried before making the saya. I would say less than 10% moisture content.
Split the wood and then let it sit for several months to assure all the internal stress is gone before flattening the pieces and making the saya.

One of the main things about a saya for a Japanese blade is that the edge does not ride against the wood. The niku (fat part) of the bevels is where the blade rides against the wood. It is a "just loose enough" fit ... not too snug, not too loose. The retention of the blade is at the habaki where it fits the koi-guchi (saya throat).

 

[Alex Topfer]

Thank you, I'll process it into slabs and leave it to dry
Yeah, it's to protect the edge so you don't want it to rub

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

In Iaido you learn to draw the sword on the spine, not the edge. Katana and wakizashi are worn and displayed edge up.