Brandt

I apologize and don't mean to offend. I realize the members of this forum are specifically interested in Antiques and only original. Cabowen, the majority of the money raised will be used to make the casting. If by some chance I do raise $150,000 to restore the molds and do something for the school, I will need to make 1500 tsuba to give to the donators. Casting is not cheap. you would be looking at $65-80 per cast tsuba for a donation of $100. Remainder would go to the fundraiser to restore the molds make more durable molds and a display for the school which is a NON Profit...... Guido, the picture of the tsuba you referenced is a stock photo. I agree it is a little "blurred" I have no cast examples of the molds yet. Brian, I appreciate you noting that this effort is an attempt to create something to remember Ben Krieser Sensei. He was traditionally trained in both the use and making of the Japanese sword. He dedicated his life to teaching and preserving Japanese sword. He specialized in restoration and remounting of the sword. Ussually he was brought Blades that needed remounting but had no fitting. Or the fitting were beyond repair, in which case , he did what he could to replace them with casting of the originals. Hence the molds. I do understand that the member of this group collect and restore antiques. These castings would be reproductions and not Antiques. These are not items I would expect collectors of Antique Japanese sword fitting to desire for their collections.

Japanese sword art fitting restoration project - crowdfunder We started a crowdfunder on Indiegogo to restore a collection of Japanese sword art, a collection of molds of Japanese Tsuba, Fuchi Kashirea, and Menuki. The collection was gathered over 40 years by a sword master from San Antonio Ben Kreiser, who made his living by doing Japanese sword restoration. He passed in 2012. This project is to preserve his work and continue it if possible. The molds were all taken from antiques he restored over the years. The molds are in varied states but a lot of them are deteriorating , even just sitting on the shelf. The main goal of the project crowdfunder is to restore the molds and make master copies in a more durable mold material to preserve them. A side goal is to make a tsuba display at the school he founded. The goal is set high but the majority of the funding will go to the perks.... all the casting involved will be expensive but we are aiming to produce a high end piece for people to display or mount. Ben Kreiser dedicated his life to martial arts and the sword. He was a teacher and a good friend. It would be a shame to let his life's passion and legacy fall by the waste side. Please check out the link. Contribute if you can but more importantly share this by email or whatever social media you prefer: Facebook, twitter, etc.... http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/Japan ... /x/1579423

It is my understanding the Chris is/was NOT Ben Kreisers business partner.. He had / has no interest in doing Japanese sword restoration. I know this because I am the person that has most of Sensei Kreisers casting equipment and Molds. I purchased most of Ben's equipment and he left the molds to me. On that information Notlaw... Did you get your sword back from Chris yet? I don't know him personally and I don't live in San Antonio but I can try to contact him for you. I will be posting in another thread about trying to repair and preserve his collection of Japanese sword fitting molds If those interested can check it out. Brandt