WTB - Those little round mekugi ana shirasaya borders/rings.

[Brian]

Not sure what they are called. On many shirasaya the mekugi ana is bordered by a round ring of either white ivory or black horn. Sometimes square, sometimes round.

I have a shirasaya with the countersunk holes for the round rings, but they are absent. Does anyone know of a source of these rings that I can inlet into the wood?

I suppose I could make them myself or use wood, or square ones, but before I go that route wanted to find out if the round ones are available anywhere.

Here is an example in wood of the square ones:

 

 

Brian

[Ian]

Hi Brian

 

Try this http://www.namikawa-ltd.com/product/247

 

Best

[Brian]

Ian,

Ah, that's them. Thanks for the link and the name.

I see Kevin has them too: http://www.ryujinswords.com/horn.htm

Will have to decide whether to keep them round or inlay square wood. Hmmmm....

 

Brian

[cabowen]

Round is traditional and easy with a fostner bit...

[Kai-Gunto]

Ryuijin swords gets them from Namikawa.

Namikawa is cheaper and faster.

[Dr Fox]

While on the subject of hatome, a tip!

 

There are times when a blade in shira saya, does not exactly line up mekugi within the saya, (one of my pet hates) so a little cutting of the mekugi allows the peg through.

 

I fell on the idea of moving the ana in the saya, and then inletting a hatome over the new ana.

 

A circular or a square insert can be used, slightly oversized. The square is attractive as it can be set as a square or a diamond. the result is a pleasing look, covering the modification, but most important, now a round peg in a round hole.