tsuka ito

[roninjje]

I have a tsuka ito on a ww2 era tsuka that is dry rotting, any recommendations? other than getting it rewrapped :D

[angkorwat]

No one has ever answered this question... I have a similar question; what should one do if parts of the ito has come undone and want to keep it together prior to rewrapping is affordable?

 

Leroy U.

[Gunome]

Hello

 

maybe some picture will help to see the issue

[george trotter]

I hope this is not condemned outright as inappropriate, but in the past, and only on gunto tsukaito, I have used a diluted liquid binding solution painted onto the ito to "lock" everything in place.

It works like this...using a PVA liquid wood glue (aquadhere) greatly diluted with water (about 1:25+), i gently put the broken strands back in place and starting at the beginning of the bind and using an appropriate artists brush, I paint the ito strand from beginning to end. I DO NOT get the solution onto the same or metal parts. The solution is mostly water and although it is milky looking, it soaks into the ito and when it dries (clear), the binding is usually firm, and unlikely to fray or break any further. I usually leave it a few days to ensure total dryness.

I emphasise that this is only very occasionally done on a gunto ito only. I do it because it works and because I prefer to have the original binding in place, rather than rebind. It usually darkens the ito slightly and may give it a slight sheen...but usually the result is almost invisible.

Just an idea.

Regards,

[Kai-Gunto]

We use something we Call dope , its normally used on modelplane wings.

But sometimes its not possible to get nice complete look with the damaged ito, then a rewrap is done.