Saya: In-Depth Crafting Process of My Wakizashi Scabbard with (Mostly) Traditional Techniques

In this latest episode of my wakizashi series, I take on the challenging task of crafting the saya (scabbard) for my blade. Just like all the other pieces, this was a long and tedious process that required careful attention to detail.
For the saya, I chose linden wood, known for its ease of carving and elasticity. The koiguchi (scabbard mouth) and the mouthpiece for the kozuka (small knife) are both made from horn. To secure the sageo cord to the scabbard, I shaped a Kurigata from olive wood burl. Additionally, the Kojiri (saya tip) features mild steel with copper wire inlay decoration, matching the other copper elements of the wakizashi.
Throughout the shaping process, I made sure to avoid using sandpaper or abrasives, ensuring the inside remains free from hard particles, so the blade can slide in and out of the saya scratch-free.
For the finishing touch, I experimented with a traditional urushi-like finish using ground and finely sifted tea leaves. While I didn't use real urushi due to the extended drying times, I opted for modern products like resins and nitro solvent-based paints. The result may have a slightly rougher texture compared to the original, but I'm thrilled with the outcome. Not only does it look similar, but it likely provides a tougher finish too!
Overall, I'm extremely happy with how the saya turned out. The blade fits snugly, and the saya securely grips the habaki as it should. As a non-woodworker, creating this piece entirely with hand tools was a rewarding challenge that I successfully overcame.
Stay tuned for the next episode where I'll be crafting the kozuka to perfectly fit the hole in the scabbard.
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!
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It's affiliate marketing, so if you order something from here you'll help the channel for free! Thank you!
0:00 - Linden Wood Saya Base
3:33 - Koiguchi (Scabbard Mouth)
4:53 - Kojiri (Saya Tip)
7:27 - Kurigata (Sageo Cord Latch)
9:02 - Kozuka Holder
10:52 - Disassembly and Wood Preparation
11:24 - Wood Finish
13:04 - Final Assembly
13:51 - Result and Test
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[@wangtastic6]

This series is so awesome. And I love it when you use tools that you created in previous videos. It’s like finding an easter egg!

[@manzotin93]

Best series ever! I wish one day i'll be able to travel to Japan and find a real katana blacksmith! Thanks BBP!

[@danthemakerman]

Every piece is like a separate work of art. I love your attention to detail.

[@raphaelm4367]

wow amazing work as usual, the black texture on the scabbard turned out really great ! And the overall black look of the wakizashi is awesome congrats !

[@Nikki_Foxx]

One of my favorite builds yet!

[@Geckomayhem]

It turned out really nice. You make it look easy, but Japanese craftsmanship is so precise. What an amazing job you did. :)

[@hardupactor]

That was such an enjoyable video to watch, my first one of yours too. So amazed to watch an artist work from start to finish.

[@Pancreaticdefect]

I watch a ton of craftsmen on KZbin and I've seen many long series of them producing some amazing things but this has definitely been one of my favorites I've followed. You learn a lot even outside of the crafting process. For instance I knew what a Wakizashi was, but had never even heard of a kozuka. So l looked it up. And now I know.

[@cris-ci8fs]

Ouahh..quel plaisir à regarder à apprendre de vous .merci merci beaucoup

[@18deadmonkeys]

this channel is the leading cause of my dry mouth because my jaw is always hanging wide open. I'm always blown away by what you create.

[@2rueblue]

I have enjoyed this journey, and I love the progression of the channel by introducing more equipment that allows your obvious talent to show. I honestly really enjoy watching you breathe life into these projects. I also like the way you have tried to be as traditional as possible with the way you have recreated this piece. No doubt someone will comment saying something to the contrary but you have stayed as traditional as practically possible. Well done and all the best from Scotland

[@bramweinreder2346]

May it go loved and appreciated for another 500 years.

[@eliot6989]

I love the addition of the tiny koiguchi for the tool slot

[@stephenjohnson6841]

A true craftsman. Thanks again for taking us along!

[@acraftman2823]

As a maker of things for over forty years I am humbled by your talent,(also a little jealous!).I look forward to seeing this cut a silk scarf in half floating thru the air.😉

[@Jinedan]

Fascinating. Hypnotic. Stunning.

[@eatwhatthemonkeyseat8161]

Always love seeing a new video from BBP.

[@ditullioa]

As much as I love the work you do, I never commented before. You should open a school!!! Absolutely love the work you do and having seen the range and growth over the years.

[@robertbeer2584]

everytime i watch the next in the series i think how can it get better but it does... no words....just wow wow wow

[@stromnessboy5171]

Absolutely incredible work! Thanks so much for this series. Its been really enjoyable to watch.

[@Didymus20X6]

It's interesting the different ways I've seen crafters add texture to these scabbards.

[@a-sheepof-christ9027]

*I love this project, and the saya looks amazing. The only thing I noticed and think needs to change is the kurigata. I can't possibly be the only one reminded of a human ear when looking at it at 14:00.

[@gerryhuntman]

Great attention to detail and skill. Was a joy to see.

[@BrownDragonClan]

Absolutely beautiful work

[@josehenriques3301]

What an amazing job!!! Congratulations on this piece of art.

[@1Requs]

Wow! beautiful piece of craftsmanship!

[@Vickie-Bligh]

What beautiful work.

[@TrueThiago]

This is SO BEAUTIFUL! You should be proud! Rio de Janeiro - 🇧🇷

[@bengy1977]

so much meticulous detail you put into your work. it's really wonderful to watch. Camera work is spot on too.

[@outlawbladesandleather]

Amazing build! I enjoyed the entire series.

[@dainius4168]

Impeccable work!

[@clayweaver2066]

Fantastic work!! That is truly an heirloom quality artifact. Most Excellent!!

[@richardabbott5601]

Beautiful craftsmanship.

[@GP-hf3qi]

That is just stunning !

[@volkangunyeli]

Nefis bir kın. Tebrikler.👌👍👏👏🙌

[@Beltfed45]

This is just beautiful. Great work sir!

[@lewissammons]

This is truly stellar

[@jamesperkins9833]

Stunning work!

[@JohnThorpe1623]

Beautiful!

[@Bevel_and_Bark]

I absolutely love the wakasashi series! And I’m thinking about joining the samurai challenge

[@nefus318]

A masterpiece!

[@MASI_forging]

Beautiful workmanship 👍

[@andresvenegas3346]

l'intero progetto è stato un bellissimo *capolavoro* …congratulazioni 👏🏼🍾

[@rudolphduplooy3835]

Very very nice! Beautiful work!

[@mushfiqurrahman2515]

And, we're finally here

[@robertmanley7556]

Absolutely amazing craftsmanship !! This was absolutely amazing to watch I enjoy each of your video's !!👍👍

[@macedindu829]

Absolutely sick!

[@Einherjar_17]

Una obra de arte, maestro!.

[@dlkravcov1973]

Fabulous! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@stickyfoot84]

That was a fun project to watch, turned out really nice 👍

[@jerryjohnson4618]

Magnificent Wakizashi Scabbard !!!!!!!!!!!

[@plooo3532]

Amazing work 👏

[@remoc52357]

WoW......beautiful all around......

[@fiddyb]

gotta love that traditional japanese bosch circular saw

[@BlackBeardProjects]

(mostly)

[@MandoHalrissian]

Can't you read???

[@angelataylor4540]

Spectacular

[@noneyabidness9644]

I used crushed charcoal when I did a saya with that texture. Macha is a good idea.

[@michaelharrison8036]

Very informative video!👍👍

[@nathkrupa3463]

Great work sir thanks for sharing

[@unicornep1818]

A thing of beauty

[@claymore440]

Interesting use of green tea flakes.

[@tomswindler64]

As always your craftsmanship is at the top.great little video,can tell your in your own little world when you start to create your creations.kudos to you sir.carry on.👍👍👍😎😎😎

[@christianthmpsn]

I wish I lived where you do. I would seriously apprentice underneath you.

[@Rsama60]

How inspirational, I wish I would be that far with the Tanto I started a while ago.

[@TonySeverioKnives]

Awesome work!

[@fredcrews7401]

This whole project.... ❤️

[@TundeEszlari]

King content.

[@josephcormier5974]

Well done sir this work of art should be desplade in a museum thank you for bringing us along on the journey to beauty six stars

[@BlackBeardProjects]

Thanks a lot! Cheers!

[@olivierquaderi8766]

Beautiful video, superb work! A pleasure to follow you on KZbin. Greetings from the south of France

[@gmbs81]

THIS IS INSANE 😮

[@stejo3]

Nice work

[@mistakorsunlight6035]

Master 👏

[@vinceianni4026]

Hello mister beautifully made well done

[@228-Jam]

Loved this sculpture, for a second I thought you were going to be tempted to just resell the holes on the back of the bear. First glance they looked like battle scars to add a little something. Still turned out impeccable as always!

[@vivipopo163]

Waoooow i was wondering why the herbs the result is just awesome

[@VolodiaLukianov]

Очень круто. Я даже пропустил уведомление о низком заряде аккумулятора и был сильно удивлён, когда включился комп.

[@johnbuckley5358]

Genius.

[@aka1gbr]

impressive

[@stupidocanerosa]

At'zè propi brao!

[@crli4353]

well done.....the only thing I would have add was soritsuna, perhaps one which matched the kurikata

[@enderlebrave2]

Magnifique ! Je me sens déjà être un peu plus un samouraï 😅

[@ecruoseht]

Grande!!!

[@ls901]

Amazing! Hope you make a full size katana someday.

[@nilswikstrom5090]

The patience is starting to match Clicksprings energy 😅

[@renatovieira8139]

Great. Show. Brazil 🇧🇷 🇧🇷

[@medievilassassin]

Great video though I’m going to use some of the materials on my saya 😎

[@ugoandreatricoli1947]

fighissimo! bello bello bello

[@RicardoRamos551]

Looks amazing! May I suggest you lower the volume of the sounds coming from the power tools when they show up on video?

[@AaronBosterMD]

Wow!!

[@giceliovasconcelos4071]

Show parabens 👏👏👏

[@eliot6989]

Interesting dust channel size. I made mine on my koidatsu saya an inch or so long lol

[@mulla_modi]

Wow

[@noneyabidness9644]

I prefer iron koiguchi. Much more time consuming to make, but unlike ox horn, they'll never break. (Had that happen to me once, and had to grind off the ox horn on the saya.)

[@matthewdroz5613]

I wanna buy this haha

[@Anak_pegununganch]

Sangat bagus

[@giurgin27]

sei un artista...

[@neilcastro836]

Beautiful, it would've been better is you had put 14 Lakers on that saya on order to fully protect it and give it a glossy finish.

[@andreasketterer2536]

Top ❤👍🏻💪🏻✌🏻🇩🇪

[@Henchman1977]

I thought the thumbnail was a closeup of a pop rivet....

[@abuxmedia]

😍😍😍

[@nedimbuyukafsar6434]

👍👍👍