How do i remove the tsuba on my Samurai sword?

Question

I want to secure the blade because its getting really loose, how do i get the tsuba off, i only have basic tools, the sword is a rep

Answer 1

1.use a brass hammer to remove the peg from the handle. Since the peg is tapered, make sure you examine carefully to determine which direction to push the peg out. Note: you may need to use a rubber mallet to hammer out the peg.

2. Once you removed the pegs, grasp the handle with the left hand and hold the sword in an upright position. Make sure to keep the cutting edge away from the body.Then use your right hand to hit your left wrist lightly to loosen the hilt. Be careful not to hit the left wrist too hard with the right hand as there is a danger that blades with short tangs might bounce out of the hilt entirely.

Note: YOu might need to use a rubber mallet and tap lightly on the tsuba if the handle is siezed to the tang. Be sure to wrap the tsuba with a cloth towel to protect it.

Answer 2

If it's a replica sword, then it's probably loose because it's cheaply  made. That's not a shot at your sword, it's just how cheap swords are made. If you want to take the tsuba off, however, first remove the mekugi pegs (bamboo pegs in the tsuka - handle), then revove the habaki (collar - it's the brass slip that goes over the sword itself just before the tsuba. After that's done, you need to remove the tsuba itself. The blade can be removed from the tsuka after that. If the blade has any type of true ha (edge) on it, be careful.

Please bear in mind that not all replica katana can be dismantled fully. Some are glued and fixed into place at the factory.

Answer 3

Check this vid, it explains better than I could.

Answer 4

If it's not a real sword then most likely the tsuka is glued to the tang. if it's a real sword but a replica of an old famous sword then you have to take a hammer (small one) and a nail driver. (Those chunks of metal that look like a pen you hammer on top of the nail to get it smooth with the wood.) Hit the piece of bamboo that is in the tsuka. Be sure to hit the smaller side as it is shaped like a wedge and you can break it if you hit it the wrong way. Then once you get that out get some cloth and wrap the tsuba and blade. Lightly tap the tsuba all the way around as you do it. It will loosen the tsuka and you will be able to take your sword apart.

Answer 5

Take it to someone who knows what they are doing- a sword instructor or better yet, a sword repair company.

Most likely, your sword is loose because there is a loose pin in the handle. Cheap swords only have two and sometimes only one pin in handle, making the sword extremely unstable. I don't know what kind your sword is, but I suspect this is the case. Taking off the tsuba isn't all you have to do- you'd have to pop off the metal sleeve in front (habaki) and undo the wrapping on the handle. You might end up with more pieces than you know what to do with, and if you are able to tighten up the sword again, the pieces may not fit perfectly again.

Answer 6

with a real quality sword you can remove the pegs from the handle and strip the sword from there on

a replica is usually glued together so no chance of stripping the blade.

Replica's are not meant to be used.