D McCutcheon Posted October 30, 2014 Report Posted October 30, 2014 I have a lovely new Gendaito its in reasonable polish but has a lot of surface markings and scratches probably come up well with a light polish. but the shirasaya while a historical artifact is cracked completely through the handle is too though somehow its still holding together. So I will need everything if I decide to go for koshirae including a habaki and its prettier than the shirasaya though im thinking shirasaya would be cheaper option just wondering what the prices of the work and the procedure would be for either option. Im in UK too so thats probably a big crimp on things too. Danny Quote
hxv Posted October 30, 2014 Report Posted October 30, 2014 Daniel, When it comes to habaki, koshirae, and shirasaya, everything has to be custom-made for your sword. You can't purchase them and fit them to your sword. So, you will need to get in touch with qualified craftsmen to get estimates for the work. On average, habaki is about $400-$500 and shirasaya is $500-$600. Regards, Hoanh Quote
D McCutcheon Posted October 30, 2014 Author Report Posted October 30, 2014 Thank you Hoanh Yeah I figured everything would have to be bespoke and ill probably need to send the sword too going to be a bit of a palaver to get it done I imagine. danny Quote
pcfarrar Posted October 30, 2014 Report Posted October 30, 2014 Habaki and a shirasaya would be around £250-£400 in the UK depending on what you want. There are a few people who can do it. Richard Adams: http://www.habaki.co.uk/home.html John Bolton: 0151 625 7971 Quote
D McCutcheon Posted October 30, 2014 Author Report Posted October 30, 2014 Thanks Peter so around 800 for both thats not too bad but still a decent chunk of change, as for what I want im torn I like the two part habaki with copper outer habaki with the gold washed inner habaki, but when you look around online theres some simply beautiful designs out there. Quote
pcfarrar Posted October 30, 2014 Report Posted October 30, 2014 No from John Bolton for instance it would likely be around £300 for a shirasaya and copper habaki. Quote
Jamie Posted October 30, 2014 Report Posted October 30, 2014 Daniel, If you plan on having the sword restored (polished) then you might consider shirasaya at that time. If you have one made prior, you'll need to have new one made for the fresh polish. So you might just do them at the same time. Please use a properly Japanese trained togishi. Quote
D McCutcheon Posted October 30, 2014 Author Report Posted October 30, 2014 Wow Jamie didnt realise id need to get a totally new shirasaya after a polish glad you said that and yes im planning to get this sword polished its actually not bad but it could do with a light polish. So it seems ill be waiting till the polishing to get new shirasaya but if I do that how will I post the sword to the maker of the shirasaya if I cant use the old one? Quote
Jamie Posted October 30, 2014 Report Posted October 30, 2014 Many times the togishi can be involved. It's a common practice to get new shirasaya at the time of polish. Again please use a Japanese trained polisher. Not sure where you are but if you're in the us, Bob Benson is a solid choice he's located in Hawaii and one of the very few polishers properly Japanese trained residing outside Japan. Jimi Hayashi is another and I think he is in SF,and Kunitaro San on this board also can send your sword to Japan for polish also. People here seem to be happy with his service as well. I've tried to list everyone so as not to leave anyone out. Quote
Grey Doffin Posted October 30, 2014 Report Posted October 30, 2014 Hi Danny, You can very easily make the old shirasaya useable until it's time for the polish; it will work fine for shipping the blade also. The saya has its smallest circumference at the bottom and the smallest of the tsuka is at its top. Cut a strip of paper about 1" wide and long enough to wrap around the saya and then some. Tightly wrap masking tape around the paper. Now force the paper/tape towards the top of the saya or bottom of the tsuka. As the circumference increases the paper/tape will get very tight and lock the 2 halves of the saya/tsuka together. It will take about 3 strips for the saya and a couple for the tsuka, spread out as best as you can (it will take also some trial & error). Your shirasaya is now sound and better yet, this fix is reversible and will leave no tape residue on the wood. Grey ps. I always place one of these strips at the top of the saya and bottom of the tsuka when shipping a sword in shirasaya. It protects the saya from splitting in transit. Quote
D McCutcheon Posted November 1, 2014 Author Report Posted November 1, 2014 thanks grey good points those sadly the shirasaya that came with the swords been wraapped directly to the wood with gaffer tape that said at least its holding together so I can ship it safely, ill need to ask the polisher then about a new shirasaya and habaki at the time its polished, ill probably hold ontop the old one as its got the original ww11 surrender tags Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.