Highlander Duncan Katana tsuba

[Ashb1502]

Hi,
I'm looking to buy a Duncan Macleod replica katana, the handle is correct, but the tsuba / hand guard is not correct. I've been searching for a replica tsuba on its own that I could then fit, but having no luck at all.

Would anyone be able to point me in the right direction....

 

[parfaitelumiere]

I have such a tsuba, but need it as a reference to finish my hand carved tsuba, so I can't sell it, I will ask to a friend maybe he has some tsuba, except that, the whole sword, original marto, can be found for very low price in second hand marketplaces.

 

[Ashb1502]

I have such a tsuba, but need it as a reference to finish my hand carved tsuba, so I can't sell it, I will ask to a friend maybe he has some tsuba, except that, the whole sword, original marto, can be found for very low price in second hand marketplaces.

Second hand market places such as where ? So far I've only found 1 on eBay, and the seller will not ship to the UK...
Also I'm after a blunt one for Iaito and display, the one I've found with the incorrect tsuba is blunt

 

[parfaitelumiere]

Hey,

I found one on second hand market in France, however I know UK is very restrictive regarding sword and weapon regulation, so you will have issues to import it.
What price would you put for the tsuba?
if price is good for me, I can buy the sword and sell you the spare tsuba I already have, tsuba alone won't bring any issue.

 

[Ashb1502]

Hey,

I found one on second hand market in France, however I know UK is very restrictive regarding sword and weapon regulation, so you will have issues to import it.
What price would you put for the tsuba?
if price is good for me, I can buy the sword and sell you the spare tsuba I already have, tsuba alone won't bring any issue.

What sort of price would you want for the tsuba? That's the defining factor really.

Have you got any photos / link to the one in France ?

 

[parfaitelumiere]

I don't know, maybe 100€, if you take it I will buy that sword.

 

[Ashb1502]

Have you got a link to the sword for sale just so I can see how the tsuba looks.
Not taking a chance without seeing it

 

[parfaitelumiere]

Here is the tsuba, take from another highlander duncan sword (on right)
The sword is the same as here: HIGHLANDER: ENDGAME (2000) - Duncan MacLeod's (Adrian Paul) Fighting Katana
From season 3 they used unmodified marto sword, in season 2 the ring on dragon head was painted in white, and there was no fuchi.

I also carved a fuchi (the marto one is on left)

 

[rjenkinsgb]

You can get a version of apparently the same tsuba in alloy from aliexpress, for around £12 or $15
A judicious application of rub n buff should give a decent colour match & weathering effect?

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004501156523.html

I've been fascinated by the craftsmanship of Japanese swords since seeing the original Highlander, though the writers did mess up on the description of the sword in the movie - they are not "folded a thousand times", they are folded a few times, to give the number of layers - ten folds gives over a thousand layers (2^10). A thousand folds would blend the metals totally long before the folding was finished.

My interest is the technology & craftmanship; these are mine, not movie replicas but made using traditional materials and methods - Tamahagane steel, a near museum grade Daisho (Katana and Wakizashi pair). They are legal to own in the UK as they are legitimate "traditionally made" examples, though kept locked away most of the time!

Most replica swords are illegal here, though there are some fairly low cost ones (~£120) that meet the traditionally made requirement, that could be customised as appropriate?

 

[parfaitelumiere]

that aliexpress is completely off, the design is not matching especially details, also the nakago ana is reversed.

 

[rjenkinsgb]

They are pretty close, for the cost.

 

[Ashb1502]

that aliexpress is completely off, the design is not matching especially details, also the nakago ana is reversed.

Sorry for this in simple terms but....the what is reversed ?

 

[parfaitelumiere]

the hole in middle, normally when you look at the both roosters or phoenix on the tsuba, the hole in middle has small side on top, meaning the edge is on top side, as it's on normal katana, on the chinese replica it's reversed.

 

[Harsesis]

I have a tsuba and I'm UK based. Have dm'd you.

 

[marsciavale]

Good morning guys. nice work I would say first of all, who can tell me what the two-headed dragon represents, from which culture it comes and if it is a strictly Scottish deity or not? Thanks to all

 

[marsciavale]

Good morning guys. nice work I would say first of all, who can tell me what the two-headed dragon represents, from which culture it comes and if it is a strictly Scottish deity or not? Thanks to all

 

[Gregor444]

Hi,
I'm looking to buy a Duncan Macleod replica katana, the handle is correct, but the tsuba / hand guard is not correct. I've been searching for a replica tsuba on its own that I could then fit, but having no luck at all.

Would anyone be able to point me in the right direction.. That is great you found a Highlander tsuka they are hard to find resin ones made for contact. Zeist Armoris makes nice tsubas for $150 or buy the alloy one like this on ebay .

 

[Gregor444]

Good morning guys. nice work I would say first of all, who can tell me what the two-headed dragon represents, from which culture it comes and if it is a strictly Scottish deity or not? Thanks to all

Which Dragons are you asking about? A crest or tsuba or the tsuka? The tsuba the author is asking about is two birds or called two Phoenix but they look like two Peacocks with two long tails.

 

[Gregor444]

They are pretty close, for the cost.

I agree its close for little money. I got these tsubas for under $20 each on ebay. The United Cutlery is 24k gold plated I found in a pile of junk. I mounted on a L-6 blade with a H1 resin hilt.

 

[Gregor444]

Hi,
I'm looking to buy a Duncan Macleod replica katana, the handle is correct, but the tsuba / hand guard is not correct. I've been searching for a replica tsuba on its own that I could then fit, but having no luck at all.

Would anyone be able to point me in the right direction....

The tsuba on the sword of the dragon used by Duncan is called the Phoenix but they are Japanese Onagadori birds that have 4-6 foot long tails. You see many cheap alloy tsubas sold on ebay and alliexpress for $20 but the hilt for the season 1-2 was not mass produced. Season 3-6 SOTD is still made by Marto seling for $250. with a stainless steel blade. I have one and its no wall hanger but the blade is not made for cutting. It took me some time and lots of work learning to mount swords but I have some good ones now with 1095-T-10 and L-6 high carbon steel blades.