Our handle wrapping service has been satisfying customers for over 23 year.  Our continued success is a result of our skilled craftsmen who have been 'Japanese' trained in the subtle nuances that make a wrapped handle look 'Great' instead of merely acceptable.
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Learn more about our exclusive TSUNAMI handle wrapping cord (Tsuka-ito).

A camera, a computer and lighting must be in sync to reproduce the same shades of colors of the same object taken at different times and under different lighting conditions.. The photo of the TSUNAMI on the left was taken several years ago and the TSUNAMI sample photo to the right were taken after we recently added Chocolate Brown color to our inventory.  One must assume that the actual colors are somewhere in between what is seen above in the two photo's. Samples are available.  On the right photo, starting at the top are Mid Brown, Reddish Brown, dark Chocolate Brown, Ivy Green, Battleship Gray, Cranberry Red, Black & Navy Blue.

Because of its similarity to genuine suede leather and the fact that is more easily cleaned, TSUNAMI has been very popular with those who 'use' their swords for practice and it is available only in the 8mm width.

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I was contacted some time ago by 'Greg' who identified himself as a prospective customer who wanted to know more about our 'exclusive' TSUNAMI handle wrapping cord (Tsukaito). Because Russ McCartney of Seattle has an established a GUINNESS World Record cutting GOZO (mat) using his sword with a Tsuka wrapped with the TSUNAMI, I suggested to Greg that he should contact Russ directly because he would receive an opinion from an very active 'user' who has a great deal of first hand experience with our TSUNAMI. The following is a copy of Greg's inquiry and a reply from Russ.

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 GREG  inquired:     'Mr. McCartney, Fred Lohman suggested that it would be O.K. if I contacted you for information in regard to the TSUNAMI cord your working swords are wrapped with. I have a high-end Iaito which is my primary practice sword but the silk Tsuka ito is wearing out right where it sits in the crotch of my thumb. Obviously I want my handles rewrapped so it will last many years, and will not fall apart.   Has your experience with Fred's work been 100% satisfactory, and is the TSUNAMI good to practice with?     Thanks in advance, Greg'.

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Russ replied:  "Greg, I would recommend Fred's TSUNAMI to everyone who is interested in a durable long lasting slip resistant Tsuka.  Its texture and feel is far superior to any of the materials that I have used in the past (I have tried them all) and consistently meets my requirements for durability and most importantly, reliability and longevity.  Of course various sorts of handle wrap material can do the job under light training conditions yet the TSUNAMI wrap holds up under the duress of hundreds of swings without gumming up like suede leather (either Cow or Deer) or become slick like silk. Additionally, with Fred's TSUNAMI, there is not the heat issues from friction that accompany heavy training schedules.  I have had over 15 swords wrapped in as many years and given the opportunity to do it again, I would have used Fred's TSUNAMI on them all. Fred's handle wrapping service is extra-ordinary both from the quality of the material to the symmetry of the diamonds to the tightness of the twists.  Fred had a winning combination."

 Domo Desu,   Russell McCartney  Founder and Chief Instructor   Shin Koryu, IshiYama Battojutsu and Peak Performance Sword Systems PH: 206.321.8878 Email: info@virtualronin.com

www.ishiyamaryu.com                   ( An unsolicited testimonial that tells it like it is !  )

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Leather Wrap

Two of the hottest products are our LEATHER and our TSUNAMI handle wrapping materials.   Lying below on silk brocade is one of our black leather wrapped handles.  On display is the combination of our top grade non-stretch leather and the skill of a professional handle wrapper.

Our Leather (# 1 grade) is available in both Black and  Brown colors

Leather supplied from other sources will stretch like a rubber band but we solved that problem.  Our leather is 100% 'non-stretch' and that means that during the wrapping process, the cord can be cinched up tight and will not loosen even when under heavy use.

Although it was initially introduced at $5 per foot and competitively priced in Japan at $6 to $8 per foot, the popularity of our leather has made it possible for us to offer it at the same $4 per foot price as the TSUNAMI and Silk.

Psssss't.. Pass it around.... we also provide BLACK colored Stingray skin as an option (FREE) !

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SILK handle wrapping material (Tsuka-ito)

 

The following is a 'PAY ATTENTION TEST'    WE recently discovered we have a roll of genuine SUEDE LEATHER ITO, first come, first serve. still only $4 per foot !   +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

220cm ( 7 foot ) long SAGEO

Katana SAGEO  (5.5 foot)

 

(Tanto) String Wrap

Battle Wrap

Battle wrap ( below ).. cord wrapped over the top of Menuki

Tsunami cord (below)

TSUNAMI

Standard wrap

Tachi Wrap

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Click here to view an illustrated breakdown of a sword handle (Tsuka)

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A small display of a variety of wrapping styles.   

 

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Handle replacement

We recommend a complete inspection of the wooden portion (the 'core' or 'foundation') of older handles for cracks and/or other damage, especially at the Mekugi-ana (peg hole) area where improper tools (nails, pliers,   screwdrivers, etc) may have been used in an attempt to remove the peg.  Most WW-2 handles are a minimum of 67 years old and again, in most cases, have not been well cared for. Wood deteriorates and if damage is obvious, safety becomes an issue and handle replacement is recommended.

Be it a NATIONAL TREASURE or the handle of your favorite brush cutter, if it needs help, we can do it.

Our service costs are as follows:

• Handle wrapping charge: Still only $195

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• 'International' return postage is $30 to $45.. depending...

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• Add $20 per inch of handle length over 11 inches to cover cord cost.

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Our handle wrapping and sword restoration service is available to owners of ww-2 military swords, antique  swords, Chinese made copies of Japanese swords and domestically made Japanese style replica swords. 

Remember, If it's not Made in Japan, it's not a genuine, real honest to goodness Japanese sword. 

Most so called 'Japanese knock-off swords' advertised on EBAY are modern Chinese copies and are decorated to make them appear to be old and perhaps valuable to the beginning collector.... most with prices running from $9.00 (nine dollars, providing that you pay the $100 shipping cost) to a Chinese copy sword recently viewed where the owner was asking $3800 (three thousand eight hundred Dollars) in an attempt to catch the unwary novices among us.  .. and in addition, I recently heard a story that some Chinese suppliers are telling people that their blades and being made in Japan for them, and then sent back to China to get 'decorated'..... which is an even bigger load of the stuff that makes the grass grow green...(called 'poop'. !

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Mailing Your Handle

Please use the U.S. Postal Service to mail your handles or swords and make sure to send them "INSURED MAIL". 

 Unlike UPS, FED-EX or DHL, our Postman will not leave your property on our shop address without a signature.

 Special shipping instructions are available for mailing blades that are not in regular mounts or Shirasaya.  

When packaging for shipment, because they are a real mess to deal with, please do not use plastic 'peanuts'.

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If you are unable to remove the handle from the sword, you may send the entire sword but

return postage/insurance charges must be added.  Please, do not send your sword bag.

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We try to maintain normal 'turn around time' for Tsuka (handle repair) to 3 and 4 weeks.

Please do not send swords or handles without first calling:  (503) 282-4567 or sending

an e-mail to confirm an appointment and to receive additional shipping instructions if needed.

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Wrapping cord (Tsuka-ito) samples (if necessary) are available for $15 (postage included). 

The sample pack consists of short strips of all available colors.

Our SILK cord, LEATHER and fantastic TSUNAMI are 100% 'NON-STRETCH'

which provides the assurance that the cord will not loosen after use.

All handle wrapping cord (Tsuka-ito) is priced at $4.00 per foot.  

The usual QUESTION:    "HOW MUCH CORD WILL I NEED to wrap my handle ?"

The ANSWER: Using this this simple FORMULA, the answer is easy:  Measure the 'inch length' of your handle and convert the 'inches' to 'feet' and add 4 more feet of cord.  In other words, an 8 inch handle will need 12 feet of cord and a 9 inch handle will need 13 feet, etc. 

Handle-wrapping Prices

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 'Stingray skin'

We are the major importer and supplier of SAMEGAWA (Stingray skin) in both the USA and Canada.  Rest assured that a high grade and reasonably priced skin will be used in the construction of your new handle. We recommend the replacement of the existing skin if the old skin shows signs of wear: (small cracks, separations or missing parts),

IF you choose to restore your own handle and want to purchase Stingray skin, please consider ordering one of our custom sized pieces.  Ordering a pre-cut piece will solve your problem and make the job easier for you.  It is more economically for us to buy large skins and cut pieces to suit the size of standard sized handles as it wastes less material and lower costs for all.  The skin pieces (natural rawhide, 4 inches wide) are priced at $5 per running inch and for an 9 inch handle, the cost is only $45
IF you are already aware of how to get the skin to conform to the shape of the handle,  Great ! (if not, ask! )  The next step (if you want black colored skin) is for you to apply black lacquer to the skin. Use a 'Spray can' or even enamel applied with an artist brush. That's how it's done, not a mystery...Simple and easy !

Chemically 'Tanned' skins are being sold by others and available in a variety of colors but because their skin is tanned (turned into real leather) and because part of the process is to grind and polish away the rough texture, the final product is made to be used for wallets, purses and many other things and it will have a feel of soft leather. Processing (removing the roughness of the skin) makes 'tanned' Stingray skin  totally unsuitable for sword handles because without the natural roughness of the skin, your handle wrapping cord will slide toward the end of the handle.

The Japanese discovered the advantage of using the natural rough Stingray skin as a way of preventing wrapping cord from sliding many years ago.  Additionally, the skin is also directional in that it is rougher when 'petted' (rubbed) in one direction and less so the other direction. Therefore, care should be taken to insure that the skin is oriented properly so that it is rougher when rubbed in the direction toward the end of the handle.

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