Put a knife together without touching the blade - Tsukimi Tanto final assembly

A quick clip of the final assembly of the Tsukimi Tanto. All parts of traditionally constructed tanto and koshirae fit together tightly and the assembly is locked together with a single bamboo peg. Each part fits only one way, even the bamboo peg has a specific alignment for maximum strength. Tsukimi means "moon watching" (in the autumn).
View the finished work: islandblacksmith.ca/2014/09/tsukimi-tanto/
See the process of making this piece: islandblacksmith.ca/process/making-the-tsukimi-tanto/

[@angelann9372]

Amazing 😍

[@JohnnyTwoStep89]

I've seen how the habaki is made (as well as studied how it's made from your site) but what keeps it from sliding up and off the blade?

[@islandblacksmith]

there is only one way it can slide off, from the tang...here's an article that may shed some light on the way things fit together in that area: islandblacksmith.ca/2014/10/classical-tanto-construction-habaki-%e3%81%ae-machigane/

[@JohnnyTwoStep89]

Yep! that is the article I read. guess I should've done more than skimmed it. the small wedge of the habaki rests under the 'notch' that separates the blade from the tang, from how I understand it. trying to forge my own you see, from an old railroad anchor/clip.

[@islandblacksmith]

yes, there is a notch top and bottom, there is an ongoing series that illustrates some of the subtle details of classical tanto geometry: islandblacksmith.ca/tag/tanto-geometry/

[@JohnnyTwoStep89]

another thing which I can't seem to find on your site. how do you keep the copper 'filler' (for lack of a better term) in the tsuba? I saw that you cold forged it but...maybe a video would be better? ;)

[@islandblacksmith]

yes, cold forging will hold it in if the surfaces are shaped properly, a bit of chamfer is all it takes... islandblacksmith.ca/2015/12/making-sekigane-for-a-wrought-iron-tsuba/

[@Rah-Kahhar]

How is the end cap fixed to the handle?

[@islandblacksmith]

a few ways, first it fits tightly over the carved end of the wood which takes care of lateral movement...when there is cord wrapping it goes through or over the pommel, when there is not and it is horn there is a mortise and tenon rice paste glued into the end of the wood, when it is metal it may also have tabs, or be peened, and is attached with pine resin glue that is softened by heating (which is the case with this knife)...

[@tylerharvey8671]

Is taking them apart and putting them back together fun?

[@islandblacksmith]

yes, hours of fun!

[@tylerharvey8671]

Crossed Heart Forge - islandblacksmith I thought so!

[@Arthurian.]

When you seat the blade you can hear it locking tight, like a bank vault. I don't get why epoxy is trusted over the old ways.

[@islandblacksmith]

it is great when things fit together precisely, so fun!