slightly loose habaki (when blade is inserted in shirasaya)?

[faust1103]

Hello, 

 

I am wondering about two things about the habaki of my first nihonto.

 

1) The habaki is slightly loose when the blade is inserted into the shirasaya.

 

The blade itself does not move when in the shirasaya  but I can move the habaki about 1 mm back and forth.

The blade and the habaki both fit tightly and do not move at all when inserted into the tsuka though.

Is this normal?

Should I add a seppa when the blade is inserted into the shirasaya so the habaki does not move anymore?

Though that would probably make no sense since then the shirasaya would not close properly anymore.

 

 

2) Also the habaki consists of 2 pieces that are inserted into each other.

 

Is this normal as well?

 

Many thanks.

 

faust

 

 

[Dave R]

 Two piece habaki are not unusual, some photo's would be good.

 

[faust1103]

OK,

 

Here are some pictures. I hope this helps.

[SteveM]

Two-piece habaki are common.

 

Don't worry about a habaki moving 1mm in a shirasaya as long the sword is stable.