Thread: bamboo (or hinoki?) pegs

Thanks for all your efforts, Steve. I noticed a forum similar to this on bamboo... nuthin' but bamboo. I don't really want to join, but can't find any other way to ask the question there. Although from what I read, I think they wouldn't have a clue.

A friend in Japan who used to repair tansu never had to actually make the takekugi, but I ran all the possibilities past him, and his advice was to heat them in Oolong tea, since it's a natural degreaser (who knew?), then do a final heating in sand to take of the excess fluid and harden the pegs.

Let you know how it works out. Of course, after all this hunting and research, I'll probably get the piece into my workshop and find the pegs are hinoki after all...

It always gets like that when it gets that way.

I really appreciate your efforts. If I can return the favor some time, send smoke signals: East coast of U.S. I'm sure I'll see them.

Meanwhile, I'll be around the forum.

You're a peach.

Becky

Anyone thought about cutting down some bamboo chopsticks or skewers??? Could be a very cheap and easy to find option.

I think that was mentioned somewhere way back early on in this thread (I think - its been a while).

Good experiment - try some before and then after having used them to cook with (why waste perfectly good skewers?). Some nice, sticky rice for the glue.

And, if you find you're eating too much, the kebabs would be getting shorter after cutting off some of the length next time, or the rice bowl not so deep

Steve

p.s., Do we really want to start this up again? (with so much else going on )

Thanks, Steve.

It hasn't been an issue lately, as that job's long gone (long story, not a good ending).

But I'll certainly be checking out the chopsticks next time. I have some good bamboo from Alex, and have been saving bamboo pegs from some drawer fronts I'm installing in the workshop, so things are under control on the peg front.

As for shortened chopsticks as diet control method... hell, I'd just use my fingers at that point.

Hope all's well with you.

Becky

I actually provide seasoned bamboo mekugi for Nihonto and have been for many years..
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=260415188101
If you like, I can offer these or even lengths of tempered and seasoned bamboo for your needs. I am most sure you would need to shape these nails yourself.
Drop me an email at [email protected] if you would like to sample some lengths of it. Prctically give it away since I dont have to do any shaping myself!!

Cool! Have written you. Thanks so much!

Thank you, Steve. I believe the nails should be heated in oil, but have no idea what kind is best. And the ceramic is a new detail -- thanks for that.

Having thanked you, I have to say you really ought to take better notes, as you never know when I'll need info from you. Really, Sheets, what were you thinking?!

Good to see/hear from/read you. ;-)

Me? What'd I do?
But, thanks and glad to see/hear we're all still here.

Katanado, just out of curiosity, what are you thoughts on horn (tsuno) mekugi?

Steve

Hey Steve,
My truest opinion is that horn is great if it is being used in a sword that won't be, such as nihonto. It adds a classy touch and I have used it before on older period swords that will be shown only. The ultimate material for swords is of course bamboo, mainly because should the peg fail during training or cutting (tamashigiri) it's strong , stringy fibers will remain intact without being completely severed, which of course will enable you to finish the cut or swing without the blade flying from the tsuka. Horn of course does not have that flexibility and once it breaks, the sword will fly and possibly at the very LEAST someone could be injured. I do like to use horn in nihonto often though..
-James

James,

Thanks for that. I used to have swords for show only (I don't advocate using antique blades for Iaido or tameshigiri, etc. because of the risk of damage to a valuable antique, let alone someone watching) so I have used horn and "ordinary bamboo". I don't collect swords anymore, just tools (I actually use them though, so the fact that I have too many doesn't make me a collector, honest )
I always wanted to learn Iaido but, alas, never had anyone who could teach me on a regular basis. Thanks for sharing your knowledge of the "correct" way and material for mekugi.

BTW, any luck with the translations on your kanna? Its tedious and not always fruitful, but going through lists of kanji can sometimes yield a reading of the characters, if not their meaning (like looking up the names on sword tangs). When all else fails for me, I have a couple of Japanese friends who I will bug for a translation.

Steve

Steve,
Anytime! Glad I could help.
I agree older nihonto should only be observed rather than used, although my tama blade is very old indeed and that's only because I have quite the collection and have been training for many years. I find that the love for the sword and the love for Japanese tools and techniques are hand in hand. while most of my tools are not masterfully made, it's always fun too see certain forge tecniques and observing a smith's work, especially with the "hamon" or temper lines in the blades. Of course not quite as elaborate as the swords, I still enjoy how the appear when sharpened well and with particular stones.
As far as my kanna, So got back to me (very quickly i might add!) and stated that since they are all over 50 yrs old , the ones I posted are wholesale brands and from the style of the blades feels they are Sanjyo made. He also said that sometimes when the quality of these wholesaler brands are really good, the smiths' name leaks somehow, stating that such is the case is with Etsuei, which was a wholesaler brand, and there are couple of famous smiths known to have been involved.
A few of these are incredible workers, famous or not with wonderful results so I wont part with them anytime soon but I have re-conditioned a few and will be offering some up for sale on Ebay, etc.
My real love is with nokogiri I must admit, everything from ryoba to oga . I have a few gems I have found over the years that bring this fellow nothing but smiles when used! I have recently purchased a few that are pre-1900 (Mid to late-Meiji) and after being cleaned and in need of metate, would like to find some help on finding the maker/makers of these saws. I don't think it will be that hard considering thier age as I am assuming there werent that many masters making them back then, but of course it doesnt follow the same line as the swords do with very few masters at any given time and I could be totally wrong! Im sure there were many makers of tools in comparison to swords back then, but I know just from cleaning them over these few weeks that thier are very well made saws, with wonderful hammer marks and superb tempering. We will have to see...
-James

One thing I realized, is that regardless of the fame of the maker (whether sword or tool), the effort and skill that is required to successfully forge, is something to be admired, respected and, I believe, appreciated (though there is definitely a qualitative difference). I can't honestly say I can tell the difference from a "master" maker as compared to the less accomplished (or well known) based on mere observation alone (discounting any knowledge of the reputation) or through use (referring to tools). So once I sharpen my kanna and nomi and have at some wood, I'm always pleased with the performance and somewhat smug knowing I didn't sink a fortune into the purchase (again though, to be truthful, I'm always jealous of those who can and do sink fortunes into buying the famous names, even if there isn't any difference in performance - and for me, I couldn't tell anyway)
I haven't wandered into the hand-made noko field yet, but am anxious to do so since I've heard many others extol the virtues of finely made noko. Cost-wise, they are again a bit out of reach for my usual budget (cheap). Those that are used and may be high quality, I don't know enough about and the cost of restoration would probably sink the concept for now (metate is definitely a skill not mastered alone). But, someday.
In the meantime I'm more than happy with what I have (though can't resist looking for more and still picking up bargains on ebay).

Yes, So is a great guy and an incredible source of knowledge - we are most fortunate to have a resource like him.

Steve