Early Type 95 Portepee Tassel - Pics and Questions

[Infinite_Wisdumb]

Hi everyone!

My leather tassel finally made it. 

Pics attached, seems in pretty good shape, any concerns from the pictures I should be thinking about?  How do we preserve the leather?

I would love if someone could share the proper way to thread this through my Gunto

Thanks in advance!

Jesse

[Infinite_Wisdumb]

[dwmc]

Not attachment instructions but at least a photo of how it is properly threaded . I personally haven't had good luck with leather conditioners, particularly on older leather and have actually done more harm than good. Others may have advice on a safe product. Happy to see the tassel/knot is in good condition.

 

Non-commissioned officers Gunto 1935 (Type 95 Guntō)/title> (ohmura-study.net)

 

Dave M.

 

[PNSSHOGUN]

I would inquire as to what museums or antique restoration businesses use. Unfortunately if it is fragile and brittle putting it on a sword may cause significant damage.

[Shamsy]

You can use something natural to condition and preserve the leather. Try this: https://www.accessiblepreservatives.com/

 

If you're in the US, easy. Cost me a small fortune to get it posted internationally though.

 

Do not leave the leather in any kind of sealed plastic though. That'll rot it or make it mouldy. Apply some preserver carefully and let it be.

 

To attach a knot, straight from the IJA (and provided by Nick).

 

[robinalexander]

Hi Jesse, 

 

I researched the same thing a few years ago and finally came up with a product called 'Renapur' Leather Balsam.  I also wanted to give my knots and combat sayas the best and while products like Dubbin are very good, I focused more on a product meant for conservation rather than one used for operational reasons.

 

My  recollection is that this product was used by more than one large museum for leather conservation.

 

I hestitate to recommend any product to be used in someone else's collection but I will say that I am very happy with it and will certainly buy it again when I need to.

 

By the way you dont use it on the suede side...its only meant for the smooth/treated side but it will soak in.  Apply with cotton buds (knots), or the sponge supplied jn the jar (sayas).

 

Good luck.

Rob 

 

 

[robinalexander]

PS I agree with John's comment.

Rob

[Infinite_Wisdumb]

Thank you Dave, John, Sham and Rob!  

[Kiipu]

On 2/27/2021 at 1:48 PM, Infinite_Wisdumb said:

How do we preserve the leather?

 

Collectors in the United States back in the 1980s and 1990s used a product from Pecard Leather Care Company.  There could be other alternatives though as I have not kept up with all the advances since then.

https://pecard.com/

[Infinite_Wisdumb]

thanks @Kiipu!!