Tsuba on different blades?

[Joryc444]

Hey guys, I’m pretty new to nihonto, I’ve seen some

Folks selling tsubas, menukis , matching fuchi, and kashira. My question is are they being used as parts in a collection or, are interchangeable of different blades?

 

Thanks!

Jory Camille!

[DoTanuki yokai]

Both is possible.

But they are not in some kind of universial fit.

[Brian]

Often collected on their own.
They are not just interchangeable among swords. The handle/scabbard etc has to be made to fit. You can't just buy any fitting and have it work on your sword.

[Joryc444]

That’s what I figured. I didn’t know if different time periods of tsuba fit different swords. Thanks guys!

[Surfson]

Jory, if you accumulate enough habaki, seppa and tsuba, you can usually find ones that fit an unmounted blade.  Handles are tougher.  

[Dave R]

 If you look at some of the old swords you see a fair bit of evidence for pieces being reused, and made to fit. Fitting Tsuba to a larger blade was done by filing, and fitting to a smaller could be done by using copper inserts, or punching metal round the tang hole. http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/seppadai.html