| Handmade Katanas (Japanese samurai swords) | | | | You may need to utilize a rubber mallet and tap |
| are becoming very popular for martial arts | | | | lightly on the tsuba (guard) if the handle is tight or |
| enthusiasts and collectors alike. They have value | | | | appears to be seized to the tang. Be sure to |
| for collectors from an investment standpoint as | | | | wrap the tsuba with a soft cloth or towel to |
| well value for martial arts students as a training | | | | protect it from damage. |
| tool. Many handmade swords are also displayed in | | | | Once the blade is removed from the handle you |
| homes and businesses as decoration. Regardless | | | | can also remove the tsuba (guard) and the seppa |
| of the reason you purchased a handmade sword | | | | (spacers). You are now ready to clean your |
| one fact remains the same: if you want your | | | | sword. |
| sword to last you need to perform the proper | | | | Once your Katana has been properly cleaned and |
| maintenance to prevent rust and oxidation. This | | | | oiled you can reassemble the sword by following |
| article will cover the proper way to disassemble | | | | the steps below. |
| and reassemble your Katana for cleaning and | | | | Re-Assembly of the Sword: |
| maintenance. | | | | With the bare blade in a horizontal position in your |
| It is important to note that most handmade | | | | left hand or on a table, carefully slide the habaki |
| swords or any sword with a hand forged blade is | | | | (blade collar) onto the tang until it fits tightly |
| most likely very sharp. Make sure that the blade | | | | against the mune-machi and ha-machi notches. |
| edge is never in a position where it could cause | | | | Next, slide the first seppa (washer), then the |
| injury to you or anyone else. If you need to | | | | tsuba (guard), then the second seppa (washer), |
| handle the blade use extreme caution and | | | | and finally the tsuka (handle) back onto the tang. |
| protective gloves at all times. | | | | Grasp the handle with your left hand and hold the |
| Disassembly of the Sword: | | | | sword upright making sure the sharp edge is |
| Use the mekugi-nuki (brass hammer) to remove | | | | facing away from your body. Tap the end of the |
| the mekugi (pegs) from the handle. The mekugi | | | | handle in an upward motion with your right palm |
| are traditionally made from bamboo and are | | | | until it fits firmly together. You may need to use |
| tapered to one end. Make sure you examine the | | | | a rubber mallet to achieve a tight fit but be sure |
| pegs to determine which end is tapered and | | | | to wrap the handle with a cloth to prevent |
| remove accordingly. You want to push the peg | | | | damage to the kashira (buttcap). |
| from the tapered (smallest) side out thru the | | | | Finally, insert the two mekugi (pegs) into the |
| larger end. You may need to use a rubber mallet | | | | handle to secure the tsuka to the blade. It is |
| or hammer to tap out the pegs. | | | | important to note that the pegs are typically |
| Once you have removed both of the pegs, firmly | | | | made of bamboo and can wear easily, therefore, |
| grasp the handle with your left hand and hold the | | | | to ensure a safe and secure fit it is |
| sword in an upright position with the blade facing | | | | recommended to install new pegs rather than |
| up and the sharp edge away from your body. | | | | reusing the old ones. |
| Next use your right hand to hit downward on | | | | Now that you know the proper way to |
| your left wrist lightly to loosen the hilt. Be cautious | | | | disassemble and reassemble your handmade |
| not to hit your wrist too hard as there is a | | | | samurai sword please look at our other articles on |
| chance that a blade with a short tang could | | | | Samurai Sword Terminology and Proper Sword |
| bounce out of the hilt completely and cause injury | | | | Care and Maintenance. |
| to you or damage to the blade. | | | | |