removing menuki

[beedeepotter]

How is it everyone gets their menuki off there tsuka? I want to take mine off to clean them (they are filthy). This sword that i just bought has really been abused in comparison to all the nice pics I've been seeing here. I want to clean my wrapping, maybe replace the skin, and clean the menuki. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

thank you,

 

Brian Potter

[Surfson]

Brian, most people have specialists take care of that. As to the menuki, it is usually ok to gently use a little soap or detergent diluted with water and brush them gently (I might take some heat for this suggestion). Once you take them out, you will probably have to have the handle rewrapped. There are some Americans that can do a fine job with this for two or three hundred dollars or you can send the handle to Japan. In the process, they will usually clean up or replace the ray skin (same) as well.

[beedeepotter]

Thanks Robert,

That makes much more sense now. I was thinking there was a magic way to get them off without removing the wrap. If someone were to rewrap would they be using the same strip of cloth that's there now or must you discard once removed? The rayskin is in pretty bad condition. It is split down the middle on one side and a little bit is missing towards the back. It's good to know someone could replace it.

 

Brian P

[John A Stuart]

If removed the ito should be replaced. It doesn't lessen value if it is good quality. Most same have a split down the side and replacement will add to the cost, again, if you want the best quality same, more. John

[runagmc]

Brian, if you are talking about the tsuka you posted w/ the Bishu Osafune sword, mabey you could use a dry soft bristle tooth brush to brush in between the ito (wrapping). That way you can get the menuki and ray skin clean from dirt and grime without disassembling anything. This would be much easier and cheaper... and probably sufficient in this case.

[b.hennick]

There is a child's soap that comes in a bottle that foams when leaving hte bottle. The type I have is called "softsoap" by Foam works. It has a picture of sponge Bob on the bottle. It is a colgate palmolive product and should be easily available. I too use a soft used toothbrush with the softsoap to clean same and menuki etc.

[CurtisR]

Mr. Hennick,

 

I don't have a sword w/old Samegawa (although I have done a full-wrap on an Iaito...wow, what a chore!). I will however, be on the hunt for Spongebob softsoap tomorrow and tuck it away. Little tricks like this are gems - thanks for sharing!

 

Curtis R.