Tsukamaki

[Kohai999]

from a user/collector standpoint, I like the traditional wrap. silk, no epoxy. cotton is too rough and with epoxy it becomes too hard. With epoxy, it may be grippy, but it's also pokey, especially at the twist. that's just me though :grumpy:

I lacquer all my silk using sword tsuka...it gets a little harder, but it is spectacular at not a)absorbing sweat like a sponge during training, b)stinking like holy heck after a short time and c)when you work it in with gloves on, there is no shine whatsoever. I use Duplicolor clear spray. Use in well, well ventilated area, it will give you a splitting headache while drying.

You can build up the layers as much as you want. With a new wrap, I usually go through three cycles of spraying until saturated, working in with gloves on and then letting dry.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[Storm Crow]

Here's a video I did a couple of years ago that I just made public on how I do my wraps. It ain't the traditional Japanese style, but approximates it. It's actually based on a Mongolian sword I saw in a Genghis Khan exhibit.

[video=youtube;kIbfusHK8ss]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIbfusHK8ss[/video]

I no longer use Minwax Wood Hardener, but the West epoxy I mentioned earlier.

 

[J W Bensinger]

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I lacquer all my silk using sword tsuka...it gets a little harder, but it is spectacular at not a)absorbing sweat like a sponge during training, b)stinking like holy heck after a short time and c)when you work it in with gloves on, there is no shine whatsoever. I use Duplicolor clear spray. Use in well, well ventilated area, it will give you a splitting headache while drying.

You can build up the layers as much as you want. With a new wrap, I usually go through three cycles of spraying until saturated, working in with gloves on and then letting dry.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

I never thought of the spray lacquers. That's a good idea.
I have a "rescue" wakizashi I got at a show that would benefit from a slightly more solid wrap (it really needs to be redone, but I reeeaaaally don't want to unwrap it).

 

[Kohai999]

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I never thought of the spray lacquers. That's a good idea.
I have a "rescue" wakizashi I got at a show that would benefit from a slightly more solid wrap (it really needs to be redone, but I reeeaaaally don't want to unwrap it).

Give the lacquer a try....if it doesn't work, you can move up to epoxy.

The epoxy "feels" much different....it is much harder and allows a less tactile experience with silk ito in my opinion, hindering(this is going to sound so freakish/nerdly) your becoming one with the sword.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[Mecha]

Here's a video I did a couple of years ago that I just made public on how I do my wraps. It ain't the traditional Japanese style, but approximates it. It's actually based on a Mongolian sword I saw in a Genghis Khan exhibit.

[video=youtube;kIbfusHK8ss]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIbfusHK8ss[/video]

I no longer use Minwax Wood Hardener, but the West epoxy I mentioned earlier.

Thanks much for posting that video, Stormcrow. That method of wrapping works perfectly with the flat leather lace that I insist on using for sword grips. As a fan of the short-lived Mongolian empire, It's especially satisfying to know that you found it on a Mongolian sword! I'm gonna use the hell out of that on future blades!

Already tried it on a specimen slicer:

 

[Storm Crow]

Good looking specimen slicer, wrap and all.

The saber I saw it on actually had a small, round green leather cord for its wrap.

 

[Mecha]

Thanks~

Hey ya, I see that Southern Comfort's gray wrap at the beginning of this thread is similar, but with alternating cross-overs.

 

[Lycosa]

Thanks, James!
And, that's a nice knife that you are wrapping.
I am going to try this.
Hi Sam.
rolf