where to find a katana hilt?

[hydin]

i am thinking of getting a special sword made, but i cannot for the life of me find a place that just lets me buy the hilt itself. i dont need a cheap flea market handle. i need one that actually has a space in there for a flat tang to fit in. a matching scabbard or saya would be great as well, but its not really required.

so... anyone have any ideas?
chris

 

[vaderdarth]

I hate to say it, but most decently made hilts are custom fit to each blade. No two forged blades are exactly alike, and so this is why the tsuka and saya are usually created after the blade is finished......for a precise fit.

This person advertises that he repairs or makes handles and scabbards for swords. I believe you would have to send your blade to him.

I'm curious as to why the person making your custom blade cannot make the handle and scabbard for you as well???

Dave

 

[Jumpin Jax]

That's the case, indeed. Without the pricise dimensions of the tang a good hilt would be impossible and would never fit. You would find a sword furniture maker, they mount blades. What kind of sword is it? You can glue wood pieces around the blade to size it, then sand down the grip to the shape and texture you want. I did that with a katana blade, you just use four pieces: thin front and back between wide sides. thin out the front and back til all for fit snugly around the tang, then start a-sanding.

 

[hydin]

main problem is the blade is going to be made out of crystal.

i figured it would be easier to work with if there was a generic "hilt" to get. i dont want to get something that may scratch the finish on the crystal when i assembling it, or sanding it.

i might not have much of a choice though....

chris

 

[DavidS]

my suggestion is to get a masahiro assemble yourself katana from Dragons edge.... they are about $30.... just trash the blade and use the hilt and saya....

 

[hydin]

now THAT is the kind of answer i was hoping for.

thanks man.
chris

 

[yodasan]

The blade will be made out of crystal? that I would like to see. What kind
of crystal? how long? how is it being made?

 

[Electronic Lids]

Go here www.thak.ca and talk to Robb..he can make one for you...

 

[hydin]

<div class='quotetop'>(yodasan @ Nov 14 2006, 01:30 AM) [snapback]1357135[/snapback]</div>

The blade will be made out of crystal? that I would like to see. What kind
of crystal? how long? how is it being made?
[/b]

optical crystal. diff company than i used for the superman returns crystal but it will still be hand made.

itll be as long as one of those blades in the kits. i am going to buy a kit, then mail it to the company and they will match the length and shape to make sure it fits in the holder

i havent decided on clear or green yet :lol, but either way, itll make a hell of a display piece.

chris

 

[SmilingOtter]

You WILL show pictures of it when it's done.

 

[Gigatron]

I'd be nervous as hell getting a crystal that long and thin shipped. I hope they offer a guarantee or at least a warranty.

-Fred

 

[yodasan]

Sounds potentially fabulous - is there some connection to an imaginary universe?

Growing large optical crystal is non-trivial. This is getting to be a major
problem for the design/construction of instruments for the next generation
of large telescopes.

 

[hydin]

the cool thing about this company is they put the stuff they make into custom gift boxes. so, if i order a few blades (cause i know i will snap at least one), they will all have thier own display cases (so to speak) if they arent in the hilt.

the fun will be when i get one broad sword completely made out of crystal, hilt and all

only downside is they cant make a big crystal rock to hold it in like a big excalibur sword. well, they can make the rock but they cant drill the hole out for the blade to fit far enough down in there to stay steady.

chris

 

[Darkknight0667]

Interesting idea, but wouldn't acrylic be a stronger / cheaper / easier way to go for something like this? It's available (usplastic.com) in 12" x 48" sheets (lots of extra material for additional blades or mistakes) in clear or colors (including green) and with a nice flame polish, would be just about as clear as optical crystal.

Just something to think about.

 

[Apollo]

<div class='quotetop'>(SmilingOtter @ Nov 14 2006, 10:03 AM) [snapback]1357265[/snapback]</div>

You WILL show pictures of it when it's done.
[/b]

Seconded.

Sounds cool as hell Chris.

Please post some pics when you get her.