@jord505 There are plenty of sword polishing videos on YouTube. Rather than repeat what's already been done, I suggest you take your pick among those already produced.
@pastirot Look real hard. Sometimes they're hidden underneath the wrapping. If there truly aren't any mekugi, you've got a decorative sword not meant for use. There may only be glue or you have a threaded hidden tang that's held on with a nut which is accessible from the butt end of the handle.
@erniesbudolab I removed the wrapping(now i have new issue to wrap it again :) but there is no mekugi....only wood as one piece??? maybe it's only decorative katana as you said but can you please tell me more about "threaded hidden tang that's held on with a nut which is accessible from the butt end of the handle." idont get this
@RYUNOMI13TADEH It is permissible to touch the blade during maintenance as long as it is cleaned and oiled afterwards. Explain why Sugino-sensei touches his blade during his demonstration:
Search YouTube for video titled: "Sugino Sensei 10th Dan Master of Katori Shinto Ryu.flv" and watch the kata that starts at 2:18
Stop perpetuating the myth of never touching the blade.
I fibally bought my first sword to start my collection handforged ect but when drawing the sword from the sheath/saya it is very stiff to removve and put back, any i dea what could be causing that problem i think it might have somthing to do with the habaki.
i bought i nice sword and i noticed that i was able to slightly move the tusa or guard (encase i spelled it wrong lol) left to right a little. is it normal to have a little play there? its not much just wondering.
@nico27004 You can make the tsuba fit tighter by removing it and gently hit the inside edge with a punch and hammer. Go to IgaTengu's channel. He has a tutorial on how to do this.
@nico27004 Most mineral oils will do. The key is low residue. Thick oils can trap dust which absorb moisture and can leave stains on the steel. I'm not a fan of gun oil as they're designed for moving parts and are not organic.
@nico27004 I think you just answered your own question. Actually, a full and proper cleaning requires disassembly. But, a quick field cleaning, no. Depending on how and where you store your sword(s) will determine how often your sword should be cleaned. Use. Humidity. Temperature. Lots of factors that dictate how often your blade needs maintenance. Easy answer: Try every 30 days, at first. If it doesn't look like any crud is forming under the seppa, try every 90 days. Adjust...
hello can some one tell me how to care for Samurai short sword it was made in 1573, is there a way of cleaning the handle. and what oil for the blade. its in real nice shape. but i need to know how to care for it james_licha@yahoo.com
ok my dad gave me a sword and the hilt is wobbly now i looked on the hilt for the mekugi and cannot seem to find it the under the cord is cloth that the hilt is wrapped in could you send me a PM explaining how i might be able to find it plz and thank you
@MadAirsofterMatt The mekugi is made of soft material so it won't amplify shock and cause stress fractures along the tang. Like a car's shock absorbers, the mekugi should be replaced after extensive "mileage".
that's Wat happened to my sword. i sliced something ans the impact broke the handle in half,the handle and the metal piece too. can u help me with that?
@TOSHIROkid13 Hi. The term you're looking for tsuka-maki. The material is called "ito." And my friend Kevin has a great tutorial on how to wrap the tsuka. His channel is: Hyojinsama. The video is here:
watch?v=IZhNWU9cepM <-- add the youtube address in front of this.
I have one problem i sent my friend to have some one to sharpen it they used a knife sharpner on it and they messed my blade up and i custem made the the sword for class and its a very good one i will add i made the handle 12 inces with 12 lead balss melted in the handle but i need to get it resharpend so do you know some one dose that that can help me there.
Hi this is Dylan from the U.S.A. I have a question for you.Could you please make a video showing how to re-grip the hilt or in other words re-string the handle please reply and please try and make the video.If you can make the video and respond I will be very greatful.Thanks from Dylan
@PalomboDylan My friend Kevin has a great video here on YouTube that introduces the steps on how to re-wrap a tsuka. Check it here: watch?v=IZhNWU9cepM
@PalomboDylan My friend Kevin has a great video here on YouTube that introduces the steps on how to re-wrap a tsuka. Check it here: watch?v=IZhNWU9cepM
@PalomboDylan Hi, my friend Kevin has great tutorials on how to re-wrap ito on the tsuka. Visit his channel: HYOUJINSAMA. Video titled "Intro to Tsukamaki".
@mrkrishchetan More than likely, there is at least one mekugi holding the tang onto the tsuka. Pull up some of the wrapping, especially around the menuki (ornament). There is where the mekugi should be. If your sword actually doesn't have a mekugi, the tsuka must be taken apart and re-wrapped (Not an easy feat).
ok when i bought my sword.....i thought it was fine then one day the whole handle broke.......i was so mad.......all i want to know is how can i make or get a new handle for it
Thanks for the tip I'm finding as much info as possible before buying my first high carbon steel katana. I am willing to spend hundreds of pounds to get a fairly decent one and for a fairly cheap sword the one you used in the video actually looks pretty nice atleast in my oppinion anyway and has a full tange and not those "rat tail" tanges you see in cheap blades. Anyway nice work keep it up.
@ erniesbudolab hey, thx for reply, if your meguki are splitting maybe consider oiling them with lemon oil, like any wood they need nutrition, I know touching the blade is ok as long as cleaned asap, however proper respect for the sword should be observed IMO, regardless of quality.
@X3lectric My mekugi aren't splitting from dryness. I think the traditional tool itself isn't reliable. Sword makers and polishers use much larger tools. You can see that in some "factory" videos posted on YT. As for blade worship, that goes hand in hand with Shintoism which I'm not a practitioner. When performing sword maintenance, the safest way to manage the blade is to touch it. When sharpening, honing, and polishing the blade, the only way to do it is to touch it.
I understand, if you dont practice, however you do mention that what you posted was result of your research, which I believe for some tricks about replacing the meguki with chop sticks, a cushion is used to place the blade while removing the meguki or inspecting blade. Since for the longest time tradition is what brought us these swords, I believe keeping tradition alive is our way of honoring this art.
no, no, no, please dont make videos that show bad habits, like the way used to remove the meguki. Then to add insult to injury grab the blade with your bare hands? OMG.
1st the meguki are removed using the little pin at the top of the brass hammer, which unscrews that is similar to mekugi-nuki.
the blade should then be placed tip facing right hand side, the meguki can be tapped that way out on the handle which is on your left hand side.
Even if the sword is not worth the metal its made in.
@X3lectric On the next page of comments, you'll find that I addressed all your concerns. I don't use the small pin at the end of the hammer because it tends to split my mekugi rather than remove it. And, not touching the blade is a myth. As long as the blade is cleaned before storing, it's OK to touch the blade.
watch?v=LbTrKhvxRvA (add the youtube url in front)
The angle at which I did all the work, at the time, was best for photographic clarity. I do, however, appreciate your input.
@tattooman420666 Sorry, I don't have extras. Truthfully, even if I did, chances of it being a perfect fit for your sword would be marginal since each sword, even factory swords require some custom fitting.
Another common cause for tsuka to come loose is improper unsheathing. You may see in movies the action of popping the sword out with the thumb slightly before the actual draw. This is done to not yank upon the tsuka while the habaki is tightly snug in the saya. Once the habaki is clear of the saya the draw should be easy and smooth. Yanking directly on the tsuka to draw your weapon is just as bad as slamming it into the saya.
Not touching the blade is a myth. As long as the blade is cleaned properly after each use, the blade can be touched, especially for blocking techniques. Watch this demo:
watch?v=LbTrKhvxRvA (add the youtube url in front)
ok cool. im realy new to all this so i wont doubt what you say. i see you have a (remounted) WWII katana, i also have one but with a blood groove, but there are pre WWII katana's with blood groove, and im getting two more katana's were i know nothing about soon. thnx for the video this helped me remove my tsuka.
getting in the meaning that my granddad brings them with him, he has them on his ettic and he has them there for years and years. one is in a black laquered saya witch some very stupid old iron seller thought it was metal so he steelbrushed it and chipped a big piece out of it. but i havnt seen the blades yet. so they remain a suprise
The gunto that I have, isn't mounted. It was given to my sensei by his teacher. Not having the knowledge to maintain/restore the blade, when he retired from teaching, my sensei gave it to me. I intend to eventually remove the rust very carefully.
The "blood groove" is known as bohi (bow-hee). And, it's not meant to drain blood away. It's actually there to make the sword lighter in weight and add rigidity.
@firefox8192 If the chip is large, it would have to be reforged. But the sword will never have the same quality as before. Very expensive, not practical. If it's a rare collectible, then maybe worth restoration.
@thesamuraikuma Yes, the round ones. Tap them into the ana (hole) and mark them for trimming, or if you have large enough snips, just cut them in place.
i have that modle sword got it today for 42$ sale ofcores i may post a responce asking how do i repair a diffrent modle i bent it right now i got to wait for a chance to post it
@NathanDewey Goza are not cheap. That's why so many "backyard cutters" resort to cutting plastic bottles. If you want to purchase goza, simply shop for them on the web. Use the search words like: tameshigiri, goza, and tatami.
@NathanDewey I think the term you're looking for is "tameshigiri." This term should only be used in reference to cutting "goza" or the tatami mat. I'm not a fan of cutting plastic bottles. Granted they're cheaper than goza, but don't represent a gentlemen's target for practice and from where I'm from is a waste of water. Less water is wasted with goza and tatami can be mulched whereas some plastics cannot be recycled or end up in landfill.
I made the same mistake when I started practicing with my wakizashi. I actually bent the blade doing that, but fortunately I was able to flex it straight. It's a sword, NOT a meat cleaver.
I have that Exact same Katana and I was curious to know if the hamon is actually part of the metal like a traditional functional Katana's would be,or if it is just purely for looks...meaning if I try to sharpen my blade,will that hamon be removed?
My demo sword cannot be sharpened. It is a practice sword. The hamon on my demo sword is acid etched for looks. If your sword is like mine, it will not hold an edge. Mine is completely blunt for practice and safety.
Sometimes the mekugi can be hidden underneath one of the folds of fabric. Just gently lift up some of the wrapping and peek underneath. Be aware that some swords have more than one mekugi.
Are you familiar with oxhide covers on the handle and sheath? i have a old katana from ww2 and idk how to remove the tsuba when this is covering the handle.
I've seen this type of wrapping for WW2 era swords. The process to remove the tsuba is the same. Expose the mekugi by carefully removing the leather. Due to age, the leather may fall apart. If the mekugi is visible, or if you can feel where it/they are, and you can lift up the leather without tearing it, you can tap them out without unwrapping the leather. Once the mekugi are out, the tsuka should slide off and give you access to the tsuba, habaki, and any spacers that may have been used.
umm i dont know if you knew this or not but that top part of the little brass hammer unscrews and it liikes like a nail thats flat on both sides and you use that "nail" and the brass to take out the pegs.
dude i have a question please msg me back my saya is all fuck up and since is my first katana i want to know where i can buy a new one or how fix the spots where is damage and another quistion is it posible to replace the cheap blade for a good quality blade for my sword
I don't have any recommendations for swords as that is not my forte. Watch YouTuber Jonislow's evaluations in the United Backyard Cutters forum. He has excellent reviews of swords and where to get them.
You cannot replace a blade....the mekugi ana are different on all blades and one will not fit in anothers tsuka. I always look for a nice blade and go in knowing I might have to make a new tsuka and wrap (ito). Unless you buy a blade without mekugi-ana and a tungsten carbide drill bit, but after all that, you could just buy a better katana.
Another thing you can do (but it sucks) is sand the whole saya, paint it whatever color you want, then put a clear gloss on it. But like I said, it sucks to do that.
Thanks for the vid. I'm deeply interested in Katana's, don''t have one yet, but as a part of the Katana am curious about the Tsuka's. They come in many different colours, is that only a question of taste or does it also have a trasitional meaning?
Swords over different periods of the samurai adorned them many ways. It's all "bling" since samurai had few other possessions, at least those that mattered.
I clearly stated in the video that I was using a demonstration sword. It isn't sharp nor made of high carbon steel. I used it because among all the swords I have, it has only one mekugi and made for an easy demo to record.
Good video, very informative. I have a question about my own sword, Its not loose, but if you hit the handle, you can hear the tang hit against the handle. do you know how to tighten it up inside the handle?
It's OK for the tang to jiggle a little bit. If your tsuka is made of wood, it needs room to expand and contract. That's normal. If it is grossly loose, you could shim your tang with tape or strips of thin plastic. Don't use wood because it might expand at a different rate than the tsuka and cause it to split.
If you say it is normal, then I wont worry about it I just thought maybe it was a design flaw. I do have another question, my tang is signed by the maker, although it is a cheap sword I am interested to know what the signature translate to. Any ideas on how to translate it?
That can be difficult, especially if the kanji used is in an older form of writing. I've been trying to translate a blade I have for almost two years. The tang is very rusty so the kanji is hard to see. I won't disturb the rust by trying to remove it. That would ruin the value and authenticity of it. I'm not an expert sword appraiser, so I can't help you with translation. Go online and look for sword maker references.
your supposed to take the tip of the little brass hammer, put it on the mekugi and tap on it with the brass hammer. not use a different hammer... and your supposed to pillow the other end, the blade. and you probably want to oil it after you touch the blade, other wise you'l get rusted fingerprints (you have oil in the maintenance kit).
If you read the other comments below, these issues were already addressed. But, for your benefit, I used the larger mallet because I split the original mekugi (not shown) with the small pin that screws in on the brass hammer. The replacement mekugi (made from a bamboo chopstick) was wedged in tight, thus the need for a big hammer. At sword factories, they use big hammers, so why can't I? And, if you paid attention, the demo sword was not made of high carbon steel so therefore, no rust issues.
...(cont'd): Furthermore, the point of the video was to "tighten" up the looseness that can develop with the tsuba/tsuka. Not general sword maintenance. Not seen in the video, I pillowed both ends of the sword. I checked your channel and you have no videos of your own. I have a policy on my channel. I block "haters" that don't have their own videos. Post your own videos and open yourself to public comment. Then, I'll have more respect for your opinions.
A "tang" is the metal mounting surface for the tsuka (handle), When this surface is described as "full tang," it means it runs nearly the entire the length of the handle. This is important to know. A half-tang woud only go partially down the length of the handle and the tsuka can possibly break. Half-tang blades are usually small hand knives. Most swords are made full-tang, so makers that advertise that really don't need to. Serious sword collectors expect katana to be full tang anyways.
I'm Filipino-American. I've studied here in the U.S. and in Okinawa. The terms I used in this vid are Japanese (from a sword text book). Glad you enjoyed the vid.
Ah, I got ya, I was king in wood shop and went on to journeyman carpentry (nothing to brag about, lol) so I know exactly what you mean. That's the bonus tip! I just never liked the way one fit and always wanted the "snap" when it was to be closed and some good tension upon opening so to speak. Thanks again and take care!
Quite informative Ernie, Thank you :) I've always wanted to see someone knock a mekugi (I believe that's what you called the peg in the tsuba) out and have been anxious to try it on an older pos sword I bought at 18 years of age, lol. I now have two more much nicer swords and very much a deep respect for them. One question though... Would you just lay out the tang and the blade (say you need to rebuild the hilt and/or saya) on a piece of wood and trace the blade to fit it? What type of wood?
i have bought a replica kill bill sword and i went to chop a pepsi bottle because I at the time had not seen this video and thought I was more clever than a pepsi bottle and clearly I was wrong now the hilt is bended and it said it was full tang when i got and the inside showed it was a rat tail. listen to the guy on the video and don't screw around with a sword.....im just a fool
My father has a samuri sword that was surrendered on a Japanese boat from WWII. It's in bad shape. I am trying to find out the best way to go about getting it refurbished. The handle is completely gone and the blade is pretty well beat up - it may only have one pumicing left, if that. Without having seen it, anybody got any opinions?
In my opinion, a blade that far gone should just be stabilized from further corrosion and left "as-is" and appreciated as a war relic. Please don't turn it into a "trophy." If it's a family blade, not a factory blade, it might be worth a full restoration.
i agree with ernies treat it like a war relic plus its a mass production sword at that time so... its mostly can be found anywhere but time makes it more valuable so keep it :D
Great video I'm a new sword enthusiast, and I would like your thoughts on Thaisuki's swords, particularly this one: Thaitsuki Sokueto Hondachi Katana, what do you think? It says it's extremely sharp, and that's what I want!! but this is gonna be my first time investing in a sword this high, let me know if it's a good deal. Thanks and sub!
it's not a great idea to have this metallica so loud, i can't really understand anything. Didn't you realize it when you watched your own video for the first time?
and then: what's the matter with metallica and katana??
That's a myth about blade touching. As long as you clean the blade after use. It's fine to touch the blade as you perform "noto." Or support the blade in a block or parry. Of course, don't touch the edge...that's obvious!
I removed the mekugi from the tsuka, though the tsuka doesn't appear to want to come off. Is there a special way of removing it if it's on pretty tight?
Tap the sides light with something soft, like a rolled up newspaper. There may be a light adhesive or its just very snug. Rust can also bond to the inner tsuka. That can also make it tight.
i know this might sound stupid, but i got a sword a couple months back n i wanted 2 clean it. so as i thought it had a stainless steall blade, i thought i didnt need a cleaning kit and used household cleaners instead (oh o wat a mistake!) it stained my sword n i was wondering if you knew ne way in which i could get rid of de as i do treasure my sword. thank you n hope 2 hear from you soon. gush
What you used might be acid based. So, I believe you have "etched" the steel at the molecular level. You might try electrolysis. This requires a water tank large enough to submerge the sword blade but leave the tang above water level, a cup or two of baking soda, a brass rod, jumper cables, and a car battery. Submerge the sword, connect one jumper lead to the tang, and the other lead to the brass rod that's in the water too. Don't let the brass touch the sword. This may not work. Careful w time
that's a rat tail tang. it's not a tang you would see on a usable katana. the tang probably ends about a couple inches past the tsuba, and there's probably a long screw welded on to the end of that to span the rest of the distance. if you want, just unscrew the screw and pull. if it doesnt come loose, just leave it alone. and...just in case you were thinking about it, dont try to swing the sword too vigorously. the tang will break and the blade will come off.
Go to Youtube channel kfkonrad and check out his video called "Old Sword Tameshigiri." In my opinion, gunto (army/navy swords) from the Pre-war era are the most desirable, which means "expensive." Gunto made near the end of the war have fewer positive traits as swordmakers were running low on building materials.
WWII swords vary from piece to piece. Depends on if it was an old, quality sword mounted in gunto koshirea or if it was a cheaply, badly made mass produced piece. Some of the mass produced pieces were actually perfectly good as swords when made well, others were not.
Note to video poster - there is no such thing as a "blood groove", these are called "hi" (hee) and are to remove weight from the blade for speed, not to allow the flow of blood. Also, not even all WWII blades have "hi" - Regards
Demo sword. Not sharp. Chrome plated, therefore no rust from finger prints. I cleaned it afterwards with wheel and tire cleaner, of all things. (Don't use that stuff on high carbon blades, BTW!)
ty for the advice. i live in ny so i was woundering about how i feel about the swords that are sold in china town. i really want to get into samurai swords
Tnx man good vid but how about non kstanas?
TEAMxEPICxSPACE 3 days ago
@TEAMxEPICxSPACE Non-katana swords have more than one way of mounting their hardware.
erniesbudolab 3 days ago
@TEAMxEPICxSPACE o ok tnx for the feedback
TEAMxEPICxSPACE 1 day ago
Awesome video
SAMANTHA755 1 month ago
Very awesome video!
freegg888 1 month ago
hi ernie :), just wondering if you could do a video on how to remove the little scratches from your blade from tameshigiri? thank you :)
jord505 1 month ago
@jord505 There are plenty of sword polishing videos on YouTube. Rather than repeat what's already been done, I suggest you take your pick among those already produced.
erniesbudolab 1 month ago
@erniesbudolab okay..thank you anyway
jord505 1 month ago
@erniesbudolab oh gosh sorry, i didnt realise you already had a video doing it! haha thhank you anyway
jord505 1 month ago
my katana/wakizashi don't have mekugi??? how to fix the loose blade?
pastirot 1 month ago
@pastirot Look real hard. Sometimes they're hidden underneath the wrapping. If there truly aren't any mekugi, you've got a decorative sword not meant for use. There may only be glue or you have a threaded hidden tang that's held on with a nut which is accessible from the butt end of the handle.
erniesbudolab 1 month ago
@erniesbudolab I removed the wrapping(now i have new issue to wrap it again :) but there is no mekugi....only wood as one piece??? maybe it's only decorative katana as you said but can you please tell me more about "threaded hidden tang that's held on with a nut which is accessible from the butt end of the handle." idont get this
pastirot 1 month ago
never tough the sword with bare hands
RYUNOMI13TADEH 2 months ago
@RYUNOMI13TADEH It is permissible to touch the blade during maintenance as long as it is cleaned and oiled afterwards. Explain why Sugino-sensei touches his blade during his demonstration:
Search YouTube for video titled: "Sugino Sensei 10th Dan Master of Katori Shinto Ryu.flv" and watch the kata that starts at 2:18
Stop perpetuating the myth of never touching the blade.
erniesbudolab 2 months ago 2
@erniesbudolab ok, sorry for that. my apology. :) is that an iaito?
RYUNOMI13TADEH 2 months ago in playlist Uploaded videos
@RYUNOMI13TADEH I would call it a $50 "wall hanger". Not even worthy or balanced enough for iaido.
erniesbudolab 2 months ago
@erniesbudolab I see. thanks for the info of the alignment of the mekugi ana.
RYUNOMI13TADEH 2 months ago
I fibally bought my first sword to start my collection handforged ect but when drawing the sword from the sheath/saya it is very stiff to removve and put back, any i dea what could be causing that problem i think it might have somthing to do with the habaki.
MrNath5150 3 months ago
thank you very much it helped me a lot
akai1500 3 months ago
i bought i nice sword and i noticed that i was able to slightly move the tusa or guard (encase i spelled it wrong lol) left to right a little. is it normal to have a little play there? its not much just wondering.
nico27004 4 months ago in playlist nico27004's favorites
@nico27004 You can make the tsuba fit tighter by removing it and gently hit the inside edge with a punch and hammer. Go to IgaTengu's channel. He has a tutorial on how to do this.
erniesbudolab 4 months ago
i read you can use gun oil to oil a katana. is that true?
nico27004 5 months ago in playlist nico27004's Favorited Videos
@nico27004 Most mineral oils will do. The key is low residue. Thick oils can trap dust which absorb moisture and can leave stains on the steel. I'm not a fan of gun oil as they're designed for moving parts and are not organic.
erniesbudolab 5 months ago
how often should you disassemble a sword for cleaning?
nico27004 5 months ago
@nico27004 I think you just answered your own question. Actually, a full and proper cleaning requires disassembly. But, a quick field cleaning, no. Depending on how and where you store your sword(s) will determine how often your sword should be cleaned. Use. Humidity. Temperature. Lots of factors that dictate how often your blade needs maintenance. Easy answer: Try every 30 days, at first. If it doesn't look like any crud is forming under the seppa, try every 90 days. Adjust...
erniesbudolab 5 months ago
hello can some one tell me how to care for Samurai short sword it was made in 1573, is there a way of cleaning the handle. and what oil for the blade. its in real nice shape. but i need to know how to care for it james_licha@yahoo.com
licha5050 6 months ago
my sword handle is made of plastic, along with the mekugi. i dont know if that is bad but i tried to remove the mekugi and could not any help?
the1stcrchofjashin 8 months ago
@the1stcrchofjashin If what you have is a "toy" sword, don't bother.
erniesbudolab 8 months ago 2
Cool video, I learned alot and subscribed
ScandinaviansAreCool 9 months ago
@ScandinaviansAreCool Thanks. I learned a lot making this video.
erniesbudolab 9 months ago
ok my dad gave me a sword and the hilt is wobbly now i looked on the hilt for the mekugi and cannot seem to find it the under the cord is cloth that the hilt is wrapped in could you send me a PM explaining how i might be able to find it plz and thank you
Warteen13 9 months ago
@Warteen13 If there are any ornaments on the sides of the hilt. The mekugi may be underneath it/them.
erniesbudolab 9 months ago
nice sword, i've been dreaming of one D=, how much is that ? i really want one Y.Y lol
MultiAlec13 9 months ago
@MultiAlec13 The sword I used in this tutorial is a demo sword. It's not sharp and was very inexpensive. It's probably worth $50.
erniesbudolab 9 months ago
how came that i cant see and find my Mekugi on my sword?
do i need to scratch the black paint of?
DJA0D 9 months ago
@DJA0D Paint? You probably have a prop sword.
erniesbudolab 9 months ago
im assuming this only works for full tang?
Brandon68421 10 months ago
@Brandon68421 You assume correct. For safety reasons, I only use full tang blades.
erniesbudolab 10 months ago
@THEIFproductions Make a new one out of bamboo chopstick!
erniesbudolab 10 months ago
now those swords were made for blocking a heavy swing from an attacker so how come tthere is so mutch strees that shouldnt be forced on the blade
MadAirsofterMatt 10 months ago
@MadAirsofterMatt The mekugi is made of soft material so it won't amplify shock and cause stress fractures along the tang. Like a car's shock absorbers, the mekugi should be replaced after extensive "mileage".
erniesbudolab 10 months ago
my tsuba is loose what can i do?
Patriot5401 10 months ago
@Patriot5401 Change the seppa (spacer) to a thicker one or add a thin one to fill the space.
erniesbudolab 10 months ago
thx a lot!...im gonna do it right now.
crowveon 10 months ago
Thx for the video, it helped me a lot!
Tsar8000 11 months ago
@Tsar8000 You're welcome!
erniesbudolab 11 months ago
that's Wat happened to my sword. i sliced something ans the impact broke the handle in half,the handle and the metal piece too. can u help me with that?
thisusernamewaztaken 1 year ago
@thisusernamewaztaken You might be better off getting a new sword. I have no visual reference of your damage.
erniesbudolab 1 year ago
hi i dont know the technical term for it but how do u re wrap the tsuka if the ribbon or whatever goes wrong
TOSHIROkid13 1 year ago
@TOSHIROkid13 Hi. The term you're looking for tsuka-maki. The material is called "ito." And my friend Kevin has a great tutorial on how to wrap the tsuka. His channel is: Hyojinsama. The video is here:
watch?v=IZhNWU9cepM <-- add the youtube address in front of this.
erniesbudolab 1 year ago
I have one problem i sent my friend to have some one to sharpen it they used a knife sharpner on it and they messed my blade up and i custem made the the sword for class and its a very good one i will add i made the handle 12 inces with 12 lead balss melted in the handle but i need to get it resharpend so do you know some one dose that that can help me there.
m3lty26362 1 year ago
@m3lty26362 Please seek the assistance of my friend Kris on his channel kfkonrad1. He's an excellent resource and sword polisher.
erniesbudolab 1 year ago
@soulfly1355 Scroll through the comments below. I've explained many times why I used the tool the way I did.
erniesbudolab 1 year ago
Hi this is Dylan from the U.S.A. I have a question for you.Could you please make a video showing how to re-grip the hilt or in other words re-string the handle please reply and please try and make the video.If you can make the video and respond I will be very greatful.Thanks from Dylan
PalomboDylan 1 year ago
@PalomboDylan My friend Kevin has a great video here on YouTube that introduces the steps on how to re-wrap a tsuka. Check it here: watch?v=IZhNWU9cepM
erniesbudolab 1 year ago
@PalomboDylan My friend Kevin has a great video here on YouTube that introduces the steps on how to re-wrap a tsuka. Check it here: watch?v=IZhNWU9cepM
erniesbudolab 1 year ago
@PalomboDylan Hi, my friend Kevin has great tutorials on how to re-wrap ito on the tsuka. Visit his channel: HYOUJINSAMA. Video titled "Intro to Tsukamaki".
erniesbudolab 1 year ago
@mrkrishchetan More than likely, there is at least one mekugi holding the tang onto the tsuka. Pull up some of the wrapping, especially around the menuki (ornament). There is where the mekugi should be. If your sword actually doesn't have a mekugi, the tsuka must be taken apart and re-wrapped (Not an easy feat).
erniesbudolab 1 year ago
ok when i bought my sword.....i thought it was fine then one day the whole handle broke.......i was so mad.......all i want to know is how can i make or get a new handle for it
beyblader17 1 year ago
Excellent! very well explained and demonstration! Domo arigato!
otreborzedalav1 1 year ago
hey i dont have a bit to hammer out the meguki do u no the prob
weejason55 1 year ago
you sound like mr mackey from south park but any way great video!
StarProductions99 1 year ago
Thanks for the tip I'm finding as much info as possible before buying my first high carbon steel katana. I am willing to spend hundreds of pounds to get a fairly decent one and for a fairly cheap sword the one you used in the video actually looks pretty nice atleast in my oppinion anyway and has a full tange and not those "rat tail" tanges you see in cheap blades. Anyway nice work keep it up.
DarkChaoto 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
my sword is not good i dont know but email me at hotmail TL_naruto_49@hotmail.com
TheHajimenoippo 1 year ago
awesome video.
chivisg007 1 year ago
@ erniesbudolab hey, thx for reply, if your meguki are splitting maybe consider oiling them with lemon oil, like any wood they need nutrition, I know touching the blade is ok as long as cleaned asap, however proper respect for the sword should be observed IMO, regardless of quality.
X3lectric 1 year ago
@X3lectric My mekugi aren't splitting from dryness. I think the traditional tool itself isn't reliable. Sword makers and polishers use much larger tools. You can see that in some "factory" videos posted on YT. As for blade worship, that goes hand in hand with Shintoism which I'm not a practitioner. When performing sword maintenance, the safest way to manage the blade is to touch it. When sharpening, honing, and polishing the blade, the only way to do it is to touch it.
erniesbudolab 1 year ago
I understand, if you dont practice, however you do mention that what you posted was result of your research, which I believe for some tricks about replacing the meguki with chop sticks, a cushion is used to place the blade while removing the meguki or inspecting blade. Since for the longest time tradition is what brought us these swords, I believe keeping tradition alive is our way of honoring this art.
X3lectric 1 year ago
no, no, no, please dont make videos that show bad habits, like the way used to remove the meguki. Then to add insult to injury grab the blade with your bare hands? OMG.
1st the meguki are removed using the little pin at the top of the brass hammer, which unscrews that is similar to mekugi-nuki.
the blade should then be placed tip facing right hand side, the meguki can be tapped that way out on the handle which is on your left hand side.
Even if the sword is not worth the metal its made in.
X3lectric 1 year ago 2
@X3lectric On the next page of comments, you'll find that I addressed all your concerns. I don't use the small pin at the end of the hammer because it tends to split my mekugi rather than remove it. And, not touching the blade is a myth. As long as the blade is cleaned before storing, it's OK to touch the blade.
watch?v=LbTrKhvxRvA (add the youtube url in front)
The angle at which I did all the work, at the time, was best for photographic clarity. I do, however, appreciate your input.
erniesbudolab 1 year ago
hey man do you got an extra hand grip i could get or bye off you... i broke mine...
tattooman420666 1 year ago
@tattooman420666 Sorry, I don't have extras. Truthfully, even if I did, chances of it being a perfect fit for your sword would be marginal since each sword, even factory swords require some custom fitting.
erniesbudolab 1 year ago
Another common cause for tsuka to come loose is improper unsheathing. You may see in movies the action of popping the sword out with the thumb slightly before the actual draw. This is done to not yank upon the tsuka while the habaki is tightly snug in the saya. Once the habaki is clear of the saya the draw should be easy and smooth. Yanking directly on the tsuka to draw your weapon is just as bad as slamming it into the saya.
illyounotme 1 year ago
how to i fix my problem? when everything is assembled everything but the sword and tsuka wobbles
austinhh132 1 year ago
Comment removed
Xc31 2 years ago
Not touching the blade is a myth. As long as the blade is cleaned properly after each use, the blade can be touched, especially for blocking techniques. Watch this demo:
watch?v=LbTrKhvxRvA (add the youtube url in front)
erniesbudolab 2 years ago
ok cool. im realy new to all this so i wont doubt what you say. i see you have a (remounted) WWII katana, i also have one but with a blood groove, but there are pre WWII katana's with blood groove, and im getting two more katana's were i know nothing about soon. thnx for the video this helped me remove my tsuka.
Xc31 2 years ago
getting in the meaning that my granddad brings them with him, he has them on his ettic and he has them there for years and years. one is in a black laquered saya witch some very stupid old iron seller thought it was metal so he steelbrushed it and chipped a big piece out of it. but i havnt seen the blades yet. so they remain a suprise
Xc31 2 years ago
@Xc31
Wondering how much did you pay for the WWII sword?
harrison28514 1 year ago
The gunto that I have, isn't mounted. It was given to my sensei by his teacher. Not having the knowledge to maintain/restore the blade, when he retired from teaching, my sensei gave it to me. I intend to eventually remove the rust very carefully.
erniesbudolab 1 year ago
The "blood groove" is known as bohi (bow-hee). And, it's not meant to drain blood away. It's actually there to make the sword lighter in weight and add rigidity.
erniesbudolab 1 year ago
bohi also add a nice sound as the sword is swung if they are properly groved
illyounotme 1 year ago
how would the blade that has been chiped on the edge be repaired the harmon!
firefox8192 2 years ago
@firefox8192 If the chip is large, it would have to be reforged. But the sword will never have the same quality as before. Very expensive, not practical. If it's a rare collectible, then maybe worth restoration.
erniesbudolab 2 years ago
I need to now, where do you buy mekugi? Can you make them?
thesamuraikuma 2 years ago
@thesamuraikuma I don't buy mekugi. I make them from bamboo chopsticks. If you make them from chopsticks, make sure they're bamboo.
erniesbudolab 2 years ago
I suspect that the chopsticks are round, correct?
thesamuraikuma 2 years ago
@thesamuraikuma Yes, the round ones. Tap them into the ana (hole) and mark them for trimming, or if you have large enough snips, just cut them in place.
erniesbudolab 2 years ago
Comment removed
AnimeAnirban 2 years ago
i have that modle sword got it today for 42$ sale ofcores i may post a responce asking how do i repair a diffrent modle i bent it right now i got to wait for a chance to post it
Pinstr 2 years ago
Good point, do you know where I can get some cheap tatami mats?
NathanDewey 2 years ago
@NathanDewey Goza are not cheap. That's why so many "backyard cutters" resort to cutting plastic bottles. If you want to purchase goza, simply shop for them on the web. Use the search words like: tameshigiri, goza, and tatami.
erniesbudolab 2 years ago
Also, is there a proper name for "sword cutting" or "mat cutting" or "bottle cutting"?
NathanDewey 2 years ago
@NathanDewey I think the term you're looking for is "tameshigiri." This term should only be used in reference to cutting "goza" or the tatami mat. I'm not a fan of cutting plastic bottles. Granted they're cheaper than goza, but don't represent a gentlemen's target for practice and from where I'm from is a waste of water. Less water is wasted with goza and tatami can be mulched whereas some plastics cannot be recycled or end up in landfill.
erniesbudolab 2 years ago
I made the same mistake when I started practicing with my wakizashi. I actually bent the blade doing that, but fortunately I was able to flex it straight. It's a sword, NOT a meat cleaver.
NathanDewey 2 years ago
I have that Exact same Katana and I was curious to know if the hamon is actually part of the metal like a traditional functional Katana's would be,or if it is just purely for looks...meaning if I try to sharpen my blade,will that hamon be removed?
Jason11190 2 years ago
My demo sword cannot be sharpened. It is a practice sword. The hamon on my demo sword is acid etched for looks. If your sword is like mine, it will not hold an edge. Mine is completely blunt for practice and safety.
erniesbudolab 2 years ago
yeah,mine is exactly the same as yours,so I'll leave it alone then because I don't want to ruin it.Thanks for the info =)
Jason11190 2 years ago
Good advice! A rat tail tang is extremely dangerous.
erniesbudolab 2 years ago
great info! Im looking to restore a katana left to me from my grandfather brought back from the war.
jeremiahmathews 2 years ago
thanks for the information though
deathranma12 2 years ago
never mind my last comment it ended being that i had a different style sword that had a bolt on under ther metal part on the handle
deathranma12 2 years ago
is it possible that some swords don't have a mekugi
deathranma12 2 years ago
i just got to ask wat if you can tfind the mekugi because the rayshin might be above it because i can tfnd mine and i have the same problem as carlos
deathranma12 2 years ago
Sometimes the mekugi can be hidden underneath one of the folds of fabric. Just gently lift up some of the wrapping and peek underneath. Be aware that some swords have more than one mekugi.
erniesbudolab 2 years ago
Are you familiar with oxhide covers on the handle and sheath? i have a old katana from ww2 and idk how to remove the tsuba when this is covering the handle.
redfan45x 2 years ago
I've seen this type of wrapping for WW2 era swords. The process to remove the tsuba is the same. Expose the mekugi by carefully removing the leather. Due to age, the leather may fall apart. If the mekugi is visible, or if you can feel where it/they are, and you can lift up the leather without tearing it, you can tap them out without unwrapping the leather. Once the mekugi are out, the tsuka should slide off and give you access to the tsuba, habaki, and any spacers that may have been used.
erniesbudolab 2 years ago
nice vid^^ only a few days then i buy my first one :D
suschi15 2 years ago
Nice video! It helps to remember the pieces and see it done! Great Job!
phrostbytex2 2 years ago
If i remove the mekugi, will the handle wrapping become loose?
TheSpoofer07 2 years ago
No. The wrapping should stay in place.
erniesbudolab 2 years ago
hey !
I didn't need to know how to repair my sword because I havn't got one... but still thanks for such an interesting and qualitative video !!!
I LOVE JAPAN !
SOEINEGAUDI 2 years ago
umm i dont know if you knew this or not but that top part of the little brass hammer unscrews and it liikes like a nail thats flat on both sides and you use that "nail" and the brass to take out the pegs.
dadorean 2 years ago
I do. And, if you read down through the other comments you'll understand why I used the tools the way I did.
erniesbudolab 2 years ago
dude i have a question please msg me back my saya is all fuck up and since is my first katana i want to know where i can buy a new one or how fix the spots where is damage and another quistion is it posible to replace the cheap blade for a good quality blade for my sword
manifierro5236 2 years ago
If your sword is that far gone, buy a new one. You'll be happier.
erniesbudolab 2 years ago
pleas ancer me back. i wont to know ware to by a quality sword cheep.
carbon302 2 years ago
I don't have any recommendations for swords as that is not my forte. Watch YouTuber Jonislow's evaluations in the United Backyard Cutters forum. He has excellent reviews of swords and where to get them.
erniesbudolab 2 years ago
thanks. sory 2 bother you.
carbon302 2 years ago
You cannot replace a blade....the mekugi ana are different on all blades and one will not fit in anothers tsuka. I always look for a nice blade and go in knowing I might have to make a new tsuka and wrap (ito). Unless you buy a blade without mekugi-ana and a tungsten carbide drill bit, but after all that, you could just buy a better katana.
SPQQKY 2 years ago
Another thing you can do (but it sucks) is sand the whole saya, paint it whatever color you want, then put a clear gloss on it. But like I said, it sucks to do that.
karateweapon 2 years ago
Im an owner of a 16th century katana and a 1st dan in kendo and kenjitsu and that was a acceptable video
ABenson241 2 years ago
Thanks for the vid. I'm deeply interested in Katana's, don''t have one yet, but as a part of the Katana am curious about the Tsuka's. They come in many different colours, is that only a question of taste or does it also have a trasitional meaning?
fredkeijzer 2 years ago
Swords over different periods of the samurai adorned them many ways. It's all "bling" since samurai had few other possessions, at least those that mattered.
erniesbudolab 2 years ago
thank you I been looking for a way to open my katana to replace the blade from stainless steel to battle ready carbon steel.
intlDrx7 2 years ago
i the sword real or fake ?
jamesthemanxx 2 years ago
I clearly stated in the video that I was using a demonstration sword. It isn't sharp nor made of high carbon steel. I used it because among all the swords I have, it has only one mekugi and made for an easy demo to record.
erniesbudolab 2 years ago
Good video, very informative. I have a question about my own sword, Its not loose, but if you hit the handle, you can hear the tang hit against the handle. do you know how to tighten it up inside the handle?
valladon 2 years ago
It's OK for the tang to jiggle a little bit. If your tsuka is made of wood, it needs room to expand and contract. That's normal. If it is grossly loose, you could shim your tang with tape or strips of thin plastic. Don't use wood because it might expand at a different rate than the tsuka and cause it to split.
erniesbudolab 2 years ago
If you say it is normal, then I wont worry about it I just thought maybe it was a design flaw. I do have another question, my tang is signed by the maker, although it is a cheap sword I am interested to know what the signature translate to. Any ideas on how to translate it?
valladon 2 years ago
That can be difficult, especially if the kanji used is in an older form of writing. I've been trying to translate a blade I have for almost two years. The tang is very rusty so the kanji is hard to see. I won't disturb the rust by trying to remove it. That would ruin the value and authenticity of it. I'm not an expert sword appraiser, so I can't help you with translation. Go online and look for sword maker references.
erniesbudolab 2 years ago
your supposed to take the tip of the little brass hammer, put it on the mekugi and tap on it with the brass hammer. not use a different hammer... and your supposed to pillow the other end, the blade. and you probably want to oil it after you touch the blade, other wise you'l get rusted fingerprints (you have oil in the maintenance kit).
hobesthetiger 2 years ago
If you read the other comments below, these issues were already addressed. But, for your benefit, I used the larger mallet because I split the original mekugi (not shown) with the small pin that screws in on the brass hammer. The replacement mekugi (made from a bamboo chopstick) was wedged in tight, thus the need for a big hammer. At sword factories, they use big hammers, so why can't I? And, if you paid attention, the demo sword was not made of high carbon steel so therefore, no rust issues.
erniesbudolab 2 years ago
...(cont'd): Furthermore, the point of the video was to "tighten" up the looseness that can develop with the tsuba/tsuka. Not general sword maintenance. Not seen in the video, I pillowed both ends of the sword. I checked your channel and you have no videos of your own. I have a policy on my channel. I block "haters" that don't have their own videos. Post your own videos and open yourself to public comment. Then, I'll have more respect for your opinions.
erniesbudolab 2 years ago
So what does Full Tang mean, because i have a full tang battle ready sword.
ScreamoLoverx80 2 years ago
A "tang" is the metal mounting surface for the tsuka (handle), When this surface is described as "full tang," it means it runs nearly the entire the length of the handle. This is important to know. A half-tang woud only go partially down the length of the handle and the tsuka can possibly break. Half-tang blades are usually small hand knives. Most swords are made full-tang, so makers that advertise that really don't need to. Serious sword collectors expect katana to be full tang anyways.
erniesbudolab 2 years ago
May I ask your ethnicity/nationality, and what language were the tems in(if theyre called anything diffrent in English)?
I loved learning all the terms for the parts of the sword
Ch0c0lat1no 3 years ago
I'm Filipino-American. I've studied here in the U.S. and in Okinawa. The terms I used in this vid are Japanese (from a sword text book). Glad you enjoyed the vid.
erniesbudolab 3 years ago
oh really? I automatically thought you were japaneese(sorry). Filipinos are very cool, i hang with alot of them, and thier women are gorgeous =D
Ch0c0lat1no 3 years ago
where can i buy samurai swords in the philippines? divisoria? perhaps..
xipatnicus 2 years ago
very good thanks for the tips ;-)
footmarshian 3 years ago
Ah, I got ya, I was king in wood shop and went on to journeyman carpentry (nothing to brag about, lol) so I know exactly what you mean. That's the bonus tip! I just never liked the way one fit and always wanted the "snap" when it was to be closed and some good tension upon opening so to speak. Thanks again and take care!
joku5150 3 years ago
Amazing Tips.
XUELOR 3 years ago
Quite informative Ernie, Thank you :) I've always wanted to see someone knock a mekugi (I believe that's what you called the peg in the tsuba) out and have been anxious to try it on an older pos sword I bought at 18 years of age, lol. I now have two more much nicer swords and very much a deep respect for them. One question though... Would you just lay out the tang and the blade (say you need to rebuild the hilt and/or saya) on a piece of wood and trace the blade to fit it? What type of wood?
joku5150 3 years ago
Yes. just trace blade on the wood and carve it out with some wood chisels. make sure you do this on pieces. then glue them together. paint and such
icyberia 3 years ago 2
i have bought a replica kill bill sword and i went to chop a pepsi bottle because I at the time had not seen this video and thought I was more clever than a pepsi bottle and clearly I was wrong now the hilt is bended and it said it was full tang when i got and the inside showed it was a rat tail. listen to the guy on the video and don't screw around with a sword.....im just a fool
thecowboykid 3 years ago
where did you get the sword from?
alucard76115 3 years ago
a website my brother was ordering from. i think it was called swordsword
thecowboykid 3 years ago
Hi everybody. Looking for advice...
My father has a samuri sword that was surrendered on a Japanese boat from WWII. It's in bad shape. I am trying to find out the best way to go about getting it refurbished. The handle is completely gone and the blade is pretty well beat up - it may only have one pumicing left, if that. Without having seen it, anybody got any opinions?
gatehousechicago 3 years ago
In my opinion, a blade that far gone should just be stabilized from further corrosion and left "as-is" and appreciated as a war relic. Please don't turn it into a "trophy." If it's a family blade, not a factory blade, it might be worth a full restoration.
erniesbudolab 3 years ago
i agree with ernies treat it like a war relic plus its a mass production sword at that time so... its mostly can be found anywhere but time makes it more valuable so keep it :D
iamshinigami 3 years ago
Great video I'm a new sword enthusiast, and I would like your thoughts on Thaisuki's swords, particularly this one: Thaitsuki Sokueto Hondachi Katana, what do you think? It says it's extremely sharp, and that's what I want!! but this is gonna be my first time investing in a sword this high, let me know if it's a good deal. Thanks and sub!
Miraiii 3 years ago
it's not a great idea to have this metallica so loud, i can't really understand anything. Didn't you realize it when you watched your own video for the first time?
and then: what's the matter with metallica and katana??
scheinende 3 years ago
What?
erniesbudolab 3 years ago
just do'nt forget dont touch the blade it kills the blade and is usualy sharp
leonidasthe1hippie 3 years ago
That's a myth about blade touching. As long as you clean the blade after use. It's fine to touch the blade as you perform "noto." Or support the blade in a block or parry. Of course, don't touch the edge...that's obvious!
erniesbudolab 3 years ago
taught me alot about swords... o_O; and i needed to know this as a mangaka
hunter0333 3 years ago
Glad to have helped you out.
erniesbudolab 3 years ago
I removed the mekugi from the tsuka, though the tsuka doesn't appear to want to come off. Is there a special way of removing it if it's on pretty tight?
masterkenobl 3 years ago
Tap the sides light with something soft, like a rolled up newspaper. There may be a light adhesive or its just very snug. Rust can also bond to the inner tsuka. That can also make it tight.
erniesbudolab 3 years ago
i know this might sound stupid, but i got a sword a couple months back n i wanted 2 clean it. so as i thought it had a stainless steall blade, i thought i didnt need a cleaning kit and used household cleaners instead (oh o wat a mistake!) it stained my sword n i was wondering if you knew ne way in which i could get rid of de as i do treasure my sword. thank you n hope 2 hear from you soon. gush
AK47rFUCKERS 3 years ago
What you used might be acid based. So, I believe you have "etched" the steel at the molecular level. You might try electrolysis. This requires a water tank large enough to submerge the sword blade but leave the tang above water level, a cup or two of baking soda, a brass rod, jumper cables, and a car battery. Submerge the sword, connect one jumper lead to the tang, and the other lead to the brass rod that's in the water too. Don't let the brass touch the sword. This may not work. Careful w time
erniesbudolab 3 years ago
my sword is syled differently then the one in the vid it has a screw at the end of the hilt holding it together
DarknessProducions 3 years ago
that's a rat tail tang. it's not a tang you would see on a usable katana. the tang probably ends about a couple inches past the tsuba, and there's probably a long screw welded on to the end of that to span the rest of the distance. if you want, just unscrew the screw and pull. if it doesnt come loose, just leave it alone. and...just in case you were thinking about it, dont try to swing the sword too vigorously. the tang will break and the blade will come off.
ra7n7d63 3 years ago
question to sensei,how good are ww2 samurai swords since they are mass produced? thank you
woundedsamurai 3 years ago
Go to Youtube channel kfkonrad and check out his video called "Old Sword Tameshigiri." In my opinion, gunto (army/navy swords) from the Pre-war era are the most desirable, which means "expensive." Gunto made near the end of the war have fewer positive traits as swordmakers were running low on building materials.
erniesbudolab 3 years ago
WWII swords vary from piece to piece. Depends on if it was an old, quality sword mounted in gunto koshirea or if it was a cheaply, badly made mass produced piece. Some of the mass produced pieces were actually perfectly good as swords when made well, others were not.
Note to video poster - there is no such thing as a "blood groove", these are called "hi" (hee) and are to remove weight from the blade for speed, not to allow the flow of blood. Also, not even all WWII blades have "hi" - Regards
csthundercat 3 years ago
Very helpful video!
ChaosFinale 3 years ago
Demo sword. Not sharp. Chrome plated, therefore no rust from finger prints. I cleaned it afterwards with wheel and tire cleaner, of all things. (Don't use that stuff on high carbon blades, BTW!)
erniesbudolab 3 years ago
ty for the advice. i live in ny so i was woundering about how i feel about the swords that are sold in china town. i really want to get into samurai swords
blabla12592 3 years ago