Tsuka: Crafting the Handle for My Wakizashi - Complete Process from Raw Materials

I finally finished making the handle (Tsuka) for my wakizashi project. It was a pretty lengthy process with lots of different parts to create. I used steel and shibuichi for the fittings, and for the handle itself, I went with linden wood, which is both easy to carve and flexible.
The Tsuka Ito (the cotton handle wrap) and Same (the ray fish skin) were imported from Japan.
As for the feather menuki, I made those in a previous project, and the Mekugi (the bamboo pin) was shaped from a bamboo chopstick using a tapering jig that I made a while back.
This project took me a solid two weeks to complete because I had to be super careful when fitting all the parts together. I'm really happy with how it turned out though. The tsuka fits snugly, and nothing wiggles around, but hey, it's not perfect. I definitely learned a lot from working on this project.
Thanks a lot for watching, I hope you liked the video!
Suggestions and comments are welcome.
Leave a like and share to anyone who might be interested!
Find some stuff I use for my projects in this amazon storefront:
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It's affiliate marketing, so if you order something from here you'll help the channel for free! Thank you!
I am currently testing this diamond cutting disk:
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Loving it so far, and I'll update you after more testing is done!
0:00 Carving Tsuka
4:34 Same Preparation and Dyeing
7:15 Fuchi
12:26 Kashira
15:27 First Assembly and Mekugi
16:39 Tsukamaki (Handle Wrap)
19:30 Final Assembly and Result
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[@sinsiliuxs120]

Wow, what a journey this has been watching you build this beauty and seeing how much attention you put into every part of this build. I can't wait to see your next project!

[@ericcartrette6118]

I don't comment like I used to, but I still watch all of your videos. You, Sir, are a Genius and a master craftsman! I love watching your work take shape. I appreciate that you show some of your failures as well. Great job! The Wakizashi looks beautiful.

[@sjv6598]

Absolutely outstanding attention to detail. The copper accents along with the ray skin and silver feathers? Huge round of applause 👏🏻

[@riuphane]

This really is an incredible reminder of what goes into an expertly created sword and why they're so expensive. You did an incredible job and it came out remarkably well, even if it's not your exact specialty, and you should be extremely proud

[@Zoso14892]

It's been an absolute pleasure watching you turn from a determined amateur to a gifted enthusiast over the years. I know you aren't a master of any one technique, but the breadth of your skills is astonishing.

[@masterQ20]

Thanks to the skillful and intelligent craftsmen who beautify life.

[@andrejohnson6731]

5:53 that visual effect when the ink courses through the grooves is REALLY cool 😊

[@jamesperkins9833]

Pleasure watching this come together!

[@macedindu829]

Amazing. Your skill and patience are something to behold.

[@erikdobes9777]

I appreciate that you got the ura and omote knots on the right side and that you started the tsukamaki on the right side too. GOOD JOB!

[@reduniverse0]

🤯 This is so beautiful! All the work you put into the realization of the piece, with so much details that's so blowing !

[@blainerobinson7737]

I have admired the structure of the furniture that make the art of the sword. This video is just amazing. You, sir are a true artist. Thanks so much

[@andreassiegler2238]

Perfect! That's true craftsmanship.

[@mcblade85]

Dude... it goes so beautiful that I wanted to like more than one time. You mastered that so hard I can't even say how perfect it was.

[@EvenTheDogAgrees]

Remember: always like an odd number of times. Never even!

[@M13asan]

Always wondered how the wrap was done. The use of those shims was really interesting. Keep up the great work!

[@tatepishepard]

Awesome work as always. Thanks for sharing.

[@Bearded-Foodie]

Stunning workmanship

[@stromnessboy5171]

As expected, this is a work of art! Every element of this project is stunning, produced with the precision of a watchmaker. Truly a craftsman at work and an absolute pleasure to watch. Thank you for sharing your work.

[@kurotetsuoni1315]

A beautiful work of art. Hope you make the scabbard for the wakizashi in the next video

[@mahmoudomara5421]

Thanks for sharing your journey making that sword with such great craftsmanship. I suggest that you compile a full time-lapse style video of the whole build once finished. I believe it'd be a very interesting video to watch.

[@BlackBeardProjects]

Thanks!! I will for sure!

[@TheJCJexe]

Wow, that wrap is so precise! Good work!

[@clayweaver2066]

Fantastic work from beginning to end. Very well done, Sir! Very well done indeed. An heirloom quality piece that is fully functional. Anyone would be more than proud to own such excellent work.

[@Vickie-Bligh]

Wow. This was awesome and absolutely beautiful. Nicely done.

[@acidspermdicktears]

Looks really great, watched all the clips, and I can tell that you put a lot of dedication and hard work into this masterpiece. Really happy to be able to watch and follow such a talent.

[@1Requs]

Great work and wonderful Wakizashi!

[@troysmith3177]

Congratulations on the completion of another wonderfully crafted, and beautiful project! That Wakizashi is very astonishing! Great job!

[@schulerjefffrey6646]

Beautiful workmanship! You are a master!

[@Ottee2]

Great job. Fascinating to watch.

[@MASI_forging]

The handle looks cool. It became a work of art. 👍👍

[@raffaellobrondi7233]

It's always a pleasure looking you at work! Complimenti!

[@mconfluence]

What great creation!❤

[@ej558]

absolutely gorgeous!!!!!

[@AerzenMexico]

Beautiful work!

[@Bevel_and_Bark]

Man I don’t know how you keep doing it, you keep making things better and better. Can’t wait for the end product.

[@georglechner986]

Awesome build! ❤

[@brandonbaty2291]

Good lord, what an artist. 😮

[@traveller9625]

you are a true master of the craft

[@johnbuckley5358]

This man is such a genius it's freaky!

[@TheCrusader1099]

very beautiful! that nice blade deserves such a well made handle, tsuba and the rest! really nice!

[@buxongs]

Magnificent job! Your workmanship and attention to details has yielded yet another piece of art!! Also, your video style is very fun to see and entertaining to watch and I look forward to everything you post! Keep up the wonderful work and it's a celebration of the creative arts everytime you do a project!

[@johnuriniuk588]

What craftsmen skills absolutely great work. The time and patience you have are amazing. Thank you for sharing.

[@18deadmonkeys]

that was incredible. Very pleasing to watch too. Kudos!

[@madcapmagician6018]

Truly a masterpiece 😁👍

[@creativeability]

Beautiful work

[@mattbennett6453]

The change of materials, from shiny brass polished and shadowed cloth. Craftsmanship at its elegant form

[@kat_s_z_fantastykapolska]

Oh my goodness! I am so incredibly stunned and amazed by the ammount of efford and dedication you put into making this sword! *_* It turned out just great!

[@nathkrupa3463]

Great work sir thanks for sharing

[@Einherjar_17]

Increible trabajo maestro artesano, es un placer poder verlo, muchas gracias!.

[@Gonyos]

Well done, sir! My salute for you.

[@dsteiny8597]

Must be so rewarding using all your own handmade tools to complete these projects

[@hawleyfromhell]

Great tsuka work!!!

[@Beltfed45]

It's beautiful. Amazing work sir!

[@tomswindler64]

Your craftsmanship is always impressive to say the least.you’ve come a long way on this project.great video.kudos to you sir.just keep doing what your doing.👍👍👍😎😎😎

[@BlackBeardProjects]

Thanks a lot!

[@yeagerxp]

Excellent job. A Beautiful creation 👍👍👍.Thank you for sharing. Be safe🇨🇦

[@BsNegou]

excellent job! it was very beautiful

[@gianniu.8547]

Che maestria, complimenti Gader

[@vinceianni4026]

Good job mister beautifully done

[@josephcormier5974]

This is absolutely beautiful and outstanding thank you for sharing this with us six stars sir

[@carrestore]

Beautiful Handle😍😍

[@MrApokalipse666]

Wow, very impressive! Cant wait to see the saya and the finished wakizashi.

[@BlackBeardProjects]

Thank you! Me too :)

[@custardthepipecat6584]

Amazing work truly a artist 🖖😸

[@GrumpyGustav]

You're a true master.

[@JPsBladeworks]

Thats amazing work. How long did it take you to do that handle?

[@1leggeddog]

Impressed is a very light word for what I am right now wow ❤

[@kitsnap1228]

Amazing work. Result is perfection 😢

[@bobdriggers6111]

exceptional work......bravo

[@RuedigerEtzold]

Man, a lot of work 👍

[@ALPACABOWLCOMPANY]

Awesome details. 💚👽

[@bubashalom8274]

Excellent job

[@KamalAdnanTheFirst]

I immediately clicked. It's always a joy to see you upload!! Edit: Hope you're doing well!!

[@BlackBeardProjects]

Thank you!! Sure! Hope you are too :)

[@IAmGaryLogan]

Fantastic!!!

[@robbiekingston6303]

ive been searching for ages for a fine flame gas torch like the one youre using. will you post a link please as to what it is and where to find one. absolutely splendid work!

[@antonioimbriano4273]

You are an artist..👍👍👌👌

[@sidneyriggs9764]

That is beautiful.

[@DisgruntledGrunt]

What an epic build! Congrats on all the progress you’ve made. I’m assuming you will be making a saya for it as well? Can’t wait to see you make that!

[@leehemmer2906]

Beautiful

[@lilipopescu8283]

Incredible

[@frankiearmstrong2777]

Most excellent!

[@adamwilder1407]

Really great video thank you! Was wondering what kind of brazing rod you used in this video? link please? Much appreciated from a fellow craftsman!!

[@rodneylane7640]

This has been a fun and interesting series to watch. Some of your finest work on display. Well done and good to see it finally finished. We have been following with alarm the terrible heat wave you have been suffering through over there in Europe. We see Italy is one of the hardest hit. How has it been affecting you and your workshop?

[@vladimirkovacevic1656]

beautiful wakizashi and koshirae

[@mathieumaerten1624]

beautiful

[@philippec9922]

Nice job 👋

[@vivipopo163]

Men you have so skills that s amazing it is finest work congrats

[@methlonstorm2027]

you made a nice job of that well done

[@LockBits-ts6eo]

Superb.

[@LarryGarfieldCrell]

Ray skin and... Is that electrical tape on the sides? Absolute class, I love it. :-)

[@bobbydoucet5678]

Impressionnant wow

[@thiagopieri8074]

Amazing! How many hours of work did that handle took from beginning to end?

[@BlackBeardProjects]

Thank you! This tsuka took me two weeks to complete.

[@TheGt5ive]

Absolutely amazing, beautiful work, hand crafted, done I traditional way, never seen a sword smith actually use Samegawa (fish skin) before very interesting, looks like a very robust material

[@danthemakerman]

Wow!!!!

[@user-wg2uf2xe1p]

Super!!!!

[@fl_low_key]

Very cool +

[@acraftman2823]

Legend.👍

[@micah06v8]

I think the handle turned out beautifully. While I love the fact that you still use traditional hand tools and methods, I really hope that that ray skin was synthetic 😢

[@honzan_dot_ca]

Great stuff! I'd ask you to share the measurements you have for your Tsuka (only the wooden part), if you don't mind. What's the proportion you usually do with the blade? I'm quite interested in learning the way you think to make one

[@Rusdikusrak]

Pekerjaan yang sangat luar biasa❤❤mantap👍👍🙏

[@guillermoalfaro2714]

Hey 👋 man how you doing bro nice!..peace of work!..blessings

[@arkha0s]

What's the name of the last knot please ? The one at the kashira, I guess it's called makidome but where can I find a tutorial for that please ?

[@angelomarcolinohenriquedes2772]

BELEZA PURA MANO! 😂