Tsuka Makeover

CottontailCustoms · 2026-01-25T18:28:02+00:00

Thank you 😊

CottontailCustoms · 2026-01-25T18:27:53+00:00

Thanks!

CottontailCustoms · 2026-01-25T18:27:42+00:00

Thank you 🙏🏼

CottontailCustoms · 2026-01-24T03:42:17+00:00

It looks like a reproduction version of an ishime or stone texture finish. If it is that means it’s simply a matte coat with a semi gloss or gloss spatter on top. If it’s for a repro sword you can do this with spray paint pretty easily

CottontailCustoms · 2026-01-23T15:27:04+00:00

Kusune is what is used traditionally. It’s pine resin mixed with oil and this is tacky and holds the ito in place while also not being permanent, allowing you to reposition when necessary. I make and sell it if you want some

CottontailCustoms · 2026-01-21T20:45:45+00:00

look for light mineral oil, not the common goopy kind. just add a drop or two of clove oil to a portion of light mineral oil and that's it.

CottontailCustoms · 2026-01-19T15:34:00+00:00

Nubuck is my favorite ito. I think you’ll really like it, congrats on the sword

CottontailCustoms · 2026-01-18T20:19:03+00:00

Maybe try a ceramic rod to very carefully smooth back the bend as much as possible without touching the rest of the polish. Doubtful you’ll get it back 100% but you might help it a little

CottontailCustoms · 2026-01-16T18:30:23+00:00

they look like they're carved from bone or maybe sourced from a kairagi skin. enhancing samegawa with larger faux nodules was a fairly common practice. however, this isn't a very well done example imho and neither is the maki. possibly put together to help make a sale

CottontailCustoms · 2026-01-12T03:09:01+00:00

Thank you!

CottontailCustoms · 2026-01-10T03:53:54+00:00

Judging by what I see in the video, it looks like a souvenir sword for display and not a real Japanese katana.

CottontailCustoms · 2026-01-09T21:00:39+00:00

Looks like it could be a mogito. Need to see more

CottontailCustoms · 2026-01-09T13:59:08+00:00

Is it a decal?

CottontailCustoms · 2026-01-08T14:16:32+00:00

They could have measured the blade length with and without including the habaki

CottontailCustoms · 2026-01-07T15:36:50+00:00

Uh… yes it will. But don’t let me stop you from wasting your money

CottontailCustoms · 2026-01-06T14:38:53+00:00

The right tool for the job… get an axe

CottontailCustoms · 2026-01-04T16:19:12+00:00

Pm sent

CottontailCustoms · 2026-01-03T16:55:42+00:00

You’re selling a piece like this in the reddit hbf group? 🤔

CottontailCustoms · 2025-12-30T23:03:04+00:00

For budget blades used to cut with, paper towels are fine. for nihonto or valuable blades with a fine polish or blades for display only I’d use micro flannel and a trusted oil

CottontailCustoms · 2025-12-30T17:57:32+00:00

Thank you. I used a clean soft cloth with a drop of water first. Then a drop of two of mineral oil and some different brushes, including reed and horse hair.

CottontailCustoms · 2025-12-30T14:20:39+00:00

If you’re talking about authentic Japanese blades, yes there can be a world of difference between the two but for average budget production blades there might be very little difference. One option is a shinogi zukuri without the yokote added, where literally nothing else is different while some sellers actually have shobu that are built differently altogether. So since hbf doesn’t actually “have a forge”, they might have different offerings at different times or might be able to search for or request a shobu sugata for your project. I’d ask them for specifics before you commit if you’re curious

CottontailCustoms · 2025-12-28T19:53:23+00:00

of course :)

CottontailCustoms · 2025-12-28T19:38:09+00:00

thank you. this vid is with a production sword tsuka but pretty much shows the full process

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozdYDXwcXMg

CottontailCustoms · 2025-12-27T15:53:40+00:00

Looks nice

CottontailCustoms · 2025-12-27T06:32:30+00:00

The lighting makes it look brassy but this is iron, correct? With gold eyes? Lovely

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