Anyone who can help

[Black_Kaos]

I am new to this site. I have study martial arts sinces I was 7yrs. About a year ago I gained and interest in the art of the japanese sword. I've had a question that I have not yet found the answer to. I noticed that there are threads that contain information about Japanese swords.

All my katanas I own have wooden sayas(sheaths). My question is does any one know how to tighten the grip of the saya? One of my katanas is losely fitted in the saya and falls out very easily. I know that the katana should be fitted snuggly to the saya(about a 1-2 milimeter space) and not fall out so easily. If anyone can help I would greatly appreciate it.

Kevin McKone

[Charles Mahan]

You should ask your sensei to show you how to do it properly, but usually this is fixed by glueing a thin strip of wood inside the saya which will press against the habaki and tighten up the fit. Usually it is recommended to place the strip at the ha or mune side of the koiguchi. Thinner is usually better. If your strip is too thick you can file it down with a metal file. Don't use sandpaper as it can leave sandy grit inside the saya that will scratch your blade.

There are better instructions to be had in the archives. Try the search button at the top of the screen.

[urbalte]

goop Krazy glue all over the Habaki and slide your katana into your saya. Let it stand for 24 hours and you will never have a problem with your katana sliding out again.

[Brian Owens]

goop Krazy glue all over the Habaki and slide your katana into your saya. Let it stand for 24 hours and you will never have a problem with your katana sliding out again.
That's just mean! :p

[urbalte]

yeah it is. :p
Truth be told I've heard about the glueing thin strips of bamboo to the insides of the saya where the habaki would normally rest to give a nice pinch to hold your katana in. Take your saya to someone with a good rep, though. Don't let some random Joe play with your toys. Might mess them up and use my Krazy glue idea.

[pgsmith]

Truth be told I've heard about the glueing thin strips of bamboo to the insides of the saya where the habaki would normally rest to give a nice pinch to hold your katana in.
Do not use bamboo! Bamboo is a grass and so it has a very high silica content. Habaki are made of soft metal, and it will actually wear grooves in your habaki. Instead, use a soft wood. The traditional method is to glue in a small piece of honoki that was left over from planing the saya. The easiest thing to do is to use a bit of cabinet veneer. All of the giant hardware stores carry birch veneer in rolls with heat sensitive backing. Cut to fit in the ha side as Charles said, and press it in with a heated metal tool. I generally use the end of my mekugi-nuki which I heat up with a lighter. It's easily done and a normal part of maintenance, much like replacing mekugi.

I have known some people should have used your Krazy Glue method though! :)

[Brian Owens]

Do not use bamboo!
Ditto.

What I've done is to go to a lumber yard and ask for a scrap of soft wood. Magnolia is ideal, but any soft wood will do. Even a small scrap will yield enough material to last through many uses. I cut off good thicknesses on all sides to reveal clean wood, and then it's ready for use.

I shave off a small piece of appropriate thickness (thinness?) with a plane and cut it to size and shape with an Exacto knife or similar. To glue it in place, I avoid any glue that dries hard, to avoid scratching the blade or habaki. Rubber cement might work, but I prefer to make a paste with flour and water; that works just fine.

As mentioned above, the strip(s) is/are added to the mune (back) side of the koiguchi first, then the ha (edge) side if needed. Adding strips to the sides can split the saya.

HTH.

[rottunpunk]

mines only slightly loose but still too loose.
so i just cut a piece of good quality watercolour paper to size and stick it in with pva or wood glue (leaving the sword out of the saya whilst it drys of course.
:p

[hyaku]

Cut a wedge shaped sliver, glue and sand down to fit. If the habaki does not fit in 100% to start dont worry. it will seat in after a bit of use.

[Ken-Hawaii]

Kevin, take a look at Tip #3 in http://ejmas.com/tin/tinart_fowler_0402.htm. That saved my bacon a few years ago.

And pgsmith posted a fix about three months ago: My favorite way of tightening the fit is to get some birch veneer from the local Home Depot. It comes in rolls to use on cabinet facing. It has heat sensitive glue backing on it. You cut a small piece to fit into the ha side of the koiguchi, heat a small screwdriver with a lighter, apply it to the cut piece for a couple of minutes, and you're done. It's easy to apply, quickly done, and the glue backing is soft and won't contribute to inadvertent damage to the habaki.

I haven't tried that one - yet - but did go out & buy some birch veneer :p .

[Brian Owens]

...pgsmith posted a fix about three months ago: My favorite way of tightening the fit is to get some birch veneer...
Psst. Ken. Look six posts upward. ;)

[RonH]

Another fix that works pretty well is to apply a thin coat of clear fingernail polish to the inside of the koiguchi. Doesn't last as long as wood, but works great in a pinch or if you don't need much, and is quick and easy.

[Black_Kaos]

Just wanted to say thank you for all who left a reply. It is greatly appreciated. I do not have a sensei or a teacher. I research w/ internet, videos, magazines, books, and now this forum. I also use the skills that I have recieved from my other martial arts backgrounds. I also do not have a skilled bladesmith or know of anyone who has experience w/ katanas close to my area. So all and any of your comments is greatly appreciated.

I would attempt the Krazy glue method but I don't think it would be wise. All comments are appreciated even ones w/ humor. :p Thank you

[Inazuma]

Please, please don't... Swords are not something to dabble about without proper instruction - Teacher! And even with a teacher, swords are not for dabbling, they're for a lifelong study.

There are so many ways in which one can go about doing all the wrong things without even noticing. Find a teacher please, Shinken are not toys!

Surely there is someone here who can offer help in finding a Dojo in the area if you just ask (nicely of course :) )

[kdlarman]

As mentioned above, the strip(s) is/are added to the mune (back) side of the koiguchi first, then the ha (edge) side if needed. Adding strips to the sides can split the saya.

HTH.

Just a quick comment. In a well built saya the mune of the habaki rides along the mune of the saya lifting the blade up and seating into place. A poorly placed shim on the mune side can really futz up how the blade slides into place. Especially if you don't get it lined up just right it can also kinda "catch" on the habaki.

Most craftsmen I know will work on the ha side first since the habaki will get lifted *into* the ha side as it seats. Remember the habaki is slightly tapered from front to back so it tightens into place. And placing a shim is easier on the single flat surface of the ha side in the koiguchi rather than the (usually) double wall (2 surfaces to accomodate the mune iori).

Just a suggestion. Ha first. Then mune.

[Brian Owens]

...Just a suggestion. Ha first. Then mune.
Ah, thanks for the tip. That does make sense the way you explained it.

[grungebunny]

hi all i also had the problem but i used wood glue in the koiguchi as evertything with swords the less the better otherwise you will split the saya. i have done this so i know but since i put very little in not a problem in ov er a year now so it really works