Self-made Habaki

[Veli]

I have a koshirae project going on, where I plan to build a low-cost koshirae for a blade with a hagiri, so that I can have a nice display piece with little value that I can use in lectures, and let also less experienced people handle it. Well, I realised that I did not have a habaki for the blade - probably lost it somewhere. Anyway, the original habaki was a battered plain copper one, so no big loss.

 

Being on holiday, I decided to give it a try and make one myself, although I had serious doubts about succeeding. So I bought some 2 mm thick silver plate, special brazing materials, a torch, watched a couple of youtube videos and started. I want to emphasize that I would not do this on a valuable blade; hammering a silver plate around the nakago is a little scary business. Why I decided to use 925 silver instead of copper? Well, it is more ductile, looks better, and the material cost me only 45 Euros. The first brazing trial was a total failure, but then I tried Bergeon 5337 brazing rods with flux core and then things started to go smoothly. 

 

I finished the project today, pics attached. Well, it is not perfect but does the job. Actually, I was rather happy with the result, since this project was more a learning experience than anything else. 

 

[Barrie B]

Veli,

 

Looks brilliant..! I think you have done a wonderful job; well done. You should be very pleased with yourself. I was going to add some clapping hands (emotocon), but I don't know how to do that now.. 

 

Barrie.

 

 

[Jean]

Splendid Veli

[Daniel]

VERY NICE!!!

[Gunome]

_{congratulation}

_{very nice job !}

[cabowen]

Bravo!

[John A Stuart]

Attention to detail, patience = a good result. John

[Jussi Ekholm]

Very nice Veli. I like the small detail you added with the grooves. I'll have to ask some crafting tips from you in Helsinki.

[Veli]

Thanks to all for your kind comments! I am not going to pretend I know more about habaki making than any of you. I just would like to say that silver is a very nice metal to work with, and not as expensive as you may think.  Secondly, lack of skill can partially be compensated by working more slowly.

[Marius]

        

[Ed]

You should be proud. It is very nice. 

[Darcy]

Surprisingly good results!

 

Probably no need to use 925 you can just use pure silver, it will work much much easier and won't crack, and it won't throw off all the oxides when you put it under the torch. It should work harden enough that it would be fine in this role as long as you are not going into battle or anything.

 

I used to make some stuff out of silver and it was night and day using sterling vs. fine silver.

[Jean]

Veli,

 

Don't be modest. You probably knows much more data about habaki making than the great people majority (members included). As we say in French "the day I am able to make one, hens shall have teeth"

[SAS]

That is a rocking' habaki; nicely done!