-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is available! Price is $250 ea (shipped within CONUS).
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/
ray skin online ?
- Thread starter laurent.b
- Start date
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith
ilmarinen - MODERATOR
Moderator
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2004
- Messages
- 38,587
Ebay has folks selling it. I would also check out the sword suppliers like shadow of Leaves and Japanese Rand Parts ( Fred Lohman). Other places to look are the tsuka-maki and ito suppliers.
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2011
- Messages
- 100
Just remember, some eBay ray skin is tanned like leather and flexible at room temperature. Traditional wrap is done with dried ray skin (Same), soaked and wrapped damp.
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith
ilmarinen - MODERATOR
Moderator
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2004
- Messages
- 38,587
The first thing you will discover about real rawhide same' is that it is HARD. You won't be cutting it with a knife or scissors. I use the metal cutting band saw. A pair of sharp bladed metal snips will cut it to trim to shape, but it takes some force. I have broken a pair of snipper handles cutting same'. When soaked in warm water for several hours to overnight it cuts a bit easier.
It sands well with a 120 grit belt for fitting the fuchi and kashira.
Tapering the same' where it will overlay makes the best joint. You sand 1/2" of the inside edge in a tapered edge, and wrap around the tsuka while wet. Bind the whole tight with cord ( paracord works well). Let dry for several days. Take off the binding, mark the cut for the outer edge, unwrap and trim the edge just a tad past the mark. Resoak to make pliable again. Apply the glue to the tsuka, re-wrap the same', wipe off any excess glue, re-bind handle tightly, and let dry for 4-6 days. Un-bind and let dry for a few more days. Sand the overlap joint smooth. I have used Tightbond II as well as Eco-flo leather weld for the glue. I prefer leather weld. If you are a purist, get out the mortar and pestle and boil up some rice.
It sands well with a 120 grit belt for fitting the fuchi and kashira.
Tapering the same' where it will overlay makes the best joint. You sand 1/2" of the inside edge in a tapered edge, and wrap around the tsuka while wet. Bind the whole tight with cord ( paracord works well). Let dry for several days. Take off the binding, mark the cut for the outer edge, unwrap and trim the edge just a tad past the mark. Resoak to make pliable again. Apply the glue to the tsuka, re-wrap the same', wipe off any excess glue, re-bind handle tightly, and let dry for 4-6 days. Un-bind and let dry for a few more days. Sand the overlap joint smooth. I have used Tightbond II as well as Eco-flo leather weld for the glue. I prefer leather weld. If you are a purist, get out the mortar and pestle and boil up some rice.
- Joined
- Aug 28, 2015
- Messages
- 25
Hey Stacy ! thanks for all the good and precious advises.
Good to read i's hard. I was a bit worry to deal with a soft but thick material, such as leather.
I have the metal bandsaw/skin killer )))
i'll come back if I have something decent to show, that won't put shame on me, my sons, and the sons of my sons...
Good to read i's hard. I was a bit worry to deal with a soft but thick material, such as leather.
I have the metal bandsaw/skin killer )))
i'll come back if I have something decent to show, that won't put shame on me, my sons, and the sons of my sons...