Multiple Habaki Questions

ddavelarsen

ddavelarsen

Joined
Dec 7, 2000
Messages
5,179
How do you form habaki? Do they start out as a single piece of metal that's formed around the blade, or are they built up/soldered from parts? Which is more appropriate, copper or brass? Which is fitted to which: saya to habaki or vise versa?

As you can see I'm totally ignorant on this one, and probably shouldn't even be considering this project yet. I've searched the archives and haven't found any info on this, hoping someone has some ideas.

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Dave Larsen
--
Love is said to be blind, but I know lots of fellows who can see twice as much in their sweethearts as I can.
-Josh Billings
 
Most are made from one piece that wraps around the tang and meets at the edge area of the blade. A wedge (very small piece) is placed in between the two adjoining sides and soldered into place.

Copper is the metal of choice. It is easy to work and not too hard so that it wears away the wood of the scabard. The Japanese prefered it because of it's ability to be colored with patinas and the fact that it will take gold foil applications. It also is mixed with gold (for shakudo) and silver (for shibu-ichi).

The habaki is made right after the blade is complete. Then the rest of the sword or tanto is finished.

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Phillip Jones
Jones Knives
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=126319&Auth=false
 
Phillip gave the right answer from what I've seen. A lot are also made from copper pipe, driven on and shaped but this is really second class work. On one I used the copper pipe method and sweated a saddle of brass over it. I polished the brass untill you could not feel the ridge where they met. It was neat looking but a lot of trouble.
 
Thanks, that makes a lot of sense. Sounds like copper pipe is about the right gauge to use, so it should be easy to find and cheap to replace the first couple.
smile.gif


I wonder about annealing -- how is that done? Sounds like the copper would have to be worked pretty soft to wrap around the blade.

Any pointers on annealing copper?

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Dave Larsen
--
The greatest prayer is patience
-Buddha
 
:
Phil:
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Most are made from one piece that wraps around the tang and meets at the edge area of the blade. A wedge (very small piece) is placed in between the two adjoining sides and soldered into place.</font>
Click to expand...

Phil is this one long rectangular shaped piece of copper that's fitted to the blade and then the small wedge piece lain in between where the ends meet and then soldered?

I assume it must be fitted tightly to the blade to keep it from slipping or is there something else that keeps it from moving around on the blade?

I have never seen a nicely done one up close is the reason I am asking for clarification. Thanks.


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&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;---¥vsa----&gt;®

Each person's work is always a portrait of himself.

---- Samuel Butler.

Khukuri FAQ
Himalayan Imports Website
 
It has to fit TIGHT in order to keep it from slipping.
This is the only one I have made so far. Hope to do more, though.
View

I centered the rectangular copper piece along the back of the blade and forged it around so that both ends met at the edge with some overlap. Once I had it tight I filed a small wedge to place in between the two ends and soldered it. I have to force it up into place.
The habaki must taper from handle to blade and from the back of the blade to the edge.
Hope this answers the question.

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Phillip Jones
Jones Knives
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=126319&Auth=false

[This message has been edited by Phillip Jones (edited 01-01-2001).]
 
Dave, Check out <a href=http://www.knives.com/frameset.html>this page</a>. Click on the how to section and they will have step by step images and instruction on making a hibaki and other projects. Hope this helps.
Rob
 
It doesn't get much better than this. Thanks for all the help, my questions have been answered. I noted with interest on Bob Engath's how to that silver could also be used for habaki. I like that idea, potential for patina there too. This is fun!

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Dave Larsen
--
The greatest prayer is patience
-Buddha
 
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