A tsuka refurbishing project

[Robin]

Hello gents,

Because it's for an iaito of mine I was reluctant to post about it on this forum, but Steven/TETSUGENDO convinced me there's no issue.

I guess he's right. After all...it's all Japanese and about (mounting) genuine tosogu. 

 

 

After 2 years of intensive practise with sweaty hands, the cotton tsukamaki of my Nosyudo iaito had the best of it.

I searched for someone (in Europe) with the skills to do a new wrap for me...and now my tsuka is in Poland for a refit.

 

 

And why not a nice new look? 

I was shown several available tsuka-ito and samegawa options, from which I selected a very nice rayskin.

Since I had a specific tsuka-ito colour in mind, I ordered this from Japan myself. Uguisu green silk.

 

 

 

Together with the (infamous ) Edo period birds menuki...

 

 

...off to Poland

 

Today I received the first photo's of the work in progress....

 

   

 

   

 

More soon....it's work in progress

 

Oh, and waiting for a "new" tsuba to go with it...

 

Note: the fuchi/kashira are the original modern brass mass produced ones that came with the iaito. 

I keep them for now for a good fit....maybe next time.

 

More soon...

 

Robin

[TETSUGENDO]

Looking great Robin!

 

-S-

[Steves87]

Im glad you posted this Robin, great colour choice!

I think I know who is doing your Tsuka, they do good work

[Vermithrax16]

Super fun! Thanks for sharing. 

[Greg F]

Looking good. Cheers.

 

Greg

[Robin]

Thanks!

 

And a bit further now....

 

The green looks a bit bright on this photo...must be because of the work lighting.

It's more olive IRL.

 

Probably ready tomorrow.

 

Robin

[TETSUGENDO]

That was fast Robin, the green tsuka-Ito was a great choice.   I don't think the F/K is a big issue, afterall, it's a working sword.   Guess it will be a bit of a wait till it all comes together...we'll just have to be patient!

 

-S-

[Robin]

Yeah...well....Artur Drogamiecza finished the tsukamaki...

   

   

His humble comment: "I need more practise"...that's always the right attitude. I find the result beautiful and I don't see it as a problem to be part of a learning curve. More like an honour.   

 

Waiting for the tsuka...and tsuba to finish this project.

 

I know and understand anything iaito is frowned upon here and even more so... exposing genuine tosogu to the rigors of training.

That's me...deal with it...or not. To each his own. Peace and such.

 

Robin

 

 

 

 

[Ganko]

Nice.

[SAS]

I like the little green mejiro bird; I use to see those a lot in Hawaii. Tsuka looking good.

[Vermithrax16]

Love the color!

[Stephen]

Coming along nicely.

[vajo]

Nicles done by Arthur. Good job!

[Robin]

Yesterday the tsuka came back to me and I like it...a lot.

 

  

 

The tsuba arrived also

 

Iron chrysanthemum with inome sukashi...Shoami?

 

And so this project came to an end.

 

Robin

[Stephen]

copper tsuba is where? the iron fits/looks much etter

[vajo]

Looks great Robin. Congratulations!

[Robin]

The copper tsuba can enjoy it's retirement in peace now.

It looked nice, but a bit out of place and a perfect round tsuba isn't the most practical.

I think the "new" iron tsuba looks much nicer, has a practical shape and...for balance...the right weight.

 

Robin

[Stephen]

Retire to my place was the hint...lol

 

[TETSUGENDO]

Bravo, everything is just as you had imagined it, the iron tsuba is perfect!, tsuka perfect, even those 'ruined menuki look perfect.  I imagine your very pleased, did the tsuba differ greatly in weight, how did it effect the overall balance and feel?

 

  Cheers,

   

       -S- 

[Robin]

Thanks all.

 

Steven, 

The original tsuba that came with the iaito, was 90 grams...the balance was too much tip heavy to my liking. This made it hard to stop a cut and this put a nasty strain on my muscles.

The copper one is a whopping 165 grams. Balance more towards the tsuka...despite the extra weight much easier to handle, but a tad bit heavy.

The iron tsuba is 145 grams...this should be just fine for me.

 

Robin 

[TETSUGENDO]

Robin, so happy all worked out perfectly, Artur is a real treasure, fine work and efficient, the turnaround time was amazing.  Bet he'll be busier from now on.  Did you have to do much to fit the tsuba?

 

Cheers,

    

     -S- 

[Robin]

Since the work was done on the original tsuka...with the original fuchi, there was no issue fitting the tsuka. 

Just the usual "tap, tap, tap" on the underside of the hand while holding the tsuka.

However, I had to make an extra 0.4mm thick seppa for a snug fit.

Also made brass sekigane to make the nakago nicely fit the nakago ana.

And a new slightly longer susudake mekugi pin...just because it looks neat.

 

Robin 

[TETSUGENDO]

Your a wizard Robin, you could start a sideline making seppa!  AND you fitted seklgane, impressive.

 

Cheers,

    

     -S-