Saya Customizations
If the specific customization is not listed here, just email us at info@nihonzashi.com to get
a quote. We will also be glad to give you advice if you want to tackle the
job yourself. We also offer Hanwei
replacement saya for some swords. These can save you allot of money if
they can be used.
This is the most common repair needed for katana. The blade is turned
before completely leaving the saya causing anything from thin cracks to huge
gaps. While a repaired saya is usually not as strong as the original, a
re-enforced version of this repair is also available. This repair does not
replace the buffalo horn koiguchi. Epoxy resin is used to replace any
missing wood/horn or fill gaps. Wood glue is used to repair the split
where appropriate. The re-enforced version of this repair uses copper wire
covered in epoxy. We suggest our refinishing service in either hand rubbed
lacquer to bring the cosmetic appearance back
to your saya. Please order any saya customization services using the Katana,
Wakizashi, or
Tanto price lists at the bottom of this
page.
The habaki should fit snugly into the koiguchi of the saya. It should
keep the sword from sliding out, but not be difficult to draw. The mouth
of the saya can be re-fit to the habaki of your sword to get the proper fit.
Birch veneer inserts are added and filed down to make a perfect fit for the
habaki. Please order any saya customization services using the Katana,
Wakizashi, or
Tanto price lists at the bottom of this
page.
The mouth of a saya usually has a water buffalo horn ring that reduces wear
and helps keep the saya from splitting. This is replaced by plastic in
lower end saya. We will replace (or add a new) water buffalo horn koiguchi
that is custom carved for the saya. This is great for new saya, old saya
that have been split, or saya that never had a horn koiguchi. Please order
any saya customization services using the Katana,
Wakizashi, or
Tanto price lists at the bottom of this
page.
Kojiri are the end-cap of the saya. These are metal fittings or water buffalo
horn that protect the soft saya from damage. Saya have to be made to fit
metal kojiri, but we can fit buffalo horn kojiri to your saya. This is
done to replace a cracked kojiri, replace a metal kojiri, or add a new kojiri to
a all wood saya. Please order any saya customization services using the Katana,
Wakizashi, or
Tanto price lists at the bottom of this
page.
We will refinish you saya with a hand rubbed lacquer finish with a clear
topcoat. Fittings
are masked and the saya is sanded and primed. Each coat of lacquer partially dissolves the
previous one. This provides a very thick homogeneous durable finish.
The down side is that this thick finish takes a very long time to fully cure.
Once cured, the finish is sanded is progressively finer abrasive and then
polished. Please order any saya customization services using the Katana,
Wakizashi, or
Tanto price lists at the bottom of this
page. We can custom mix any lacquer base color, add metal flake, or add a
translucent topcoat.
**At this time we are not accepting orders for custom saya.**
A new saya is made by hand to fit your sword with a hand rubbed lacquer
finish with a clear topcoat. The core is made of a
single piece of poplar split down the middle and carved out by hand to fit your
sword. Water buffalo koiguchi, kojiri, and kurikata are carved and fitted
to the blank. Koiguchi and kojiri are left higher than the wood to allow
them to be flush with the finished lacquer. Each coat of lacquer partially dissolves the
previous one. This provides a very thick homogeneous durable finish.
The down side is that this thick finish takes a very long time to fully cure.
Once cured, the koiguchi and kojiri are filed down to be flush with the lacquer.
The lacquer and horn fittings are sanded is progressively finer abrasive and
then polished. Please order any saya customization services
using the Katana,
Wakizashi, or
Tanto price lists at the bottom of this
page. We can custom mix any lacquer base color, add metal flake, or add a
translucent topcoat.
Customization costs should be pre-paid.
Please include return shipping with your
payment. Please send a copy of your Paypal receipt and any special instructions
with the sword. Swords will be returned in their original packaging. Normal
customizations will take from 4 to 8 weeks, but expect an extra delay for
lacquer finishes.
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