Our Handle Wrapping page has additional information regarding ordering handle wrapping cord (Tsuka-ito). To those who are unfamiliar with Japanese words and how to pronounce them, (used on this page and others), you have my sympathy. I prefer the word 'handle' ...but 'Tsuka' is the term used by collectors and practitioners of the 'slice and dice' philosophy. Anyhow, Tsuka-ito is the name for handle wrapping cord (also referred to as 'ito'). Tsukamaki is the name of the process of wrapping the handle and a Tsukamaki-shi is the person doing the wrapping. I guess it all makes sense, right ?
Cameras are easily fooled and computer monitors hardly ever display the exact shades of colors. There are two different photo's above, taken years apart with the 2nd image (on the right) taken when we added our newest selection: Chocolate Brown.
(from top down, picture # 2 that displays Black on the bottom):
Medium Brown, Reddish Brown, Chocolate Brown, Ivy Green,
Battleship Gray, Cranberry Red, Black & Navy Blue.
More about the exclusive TSUNAMI handle wrapping cord.
Most 'users' of TSUNAMI will tell you that at first, it looks & feels like real suede leather but unlike leather, TSUNAMI does not get as gummy or slick as suede leather does and if it becomes soiled from heavy use, it is easy to clean. TSUNAMI is a 'man made' material with all of the good attributes and none of the bad. It provides the 'user' a comfortable grip and the satisfaction that the sword will not slip away and since the majority of users use Katana's it is available only in 8mm (katana) width. Great stuff. ! !
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Shortly after we introduced TSUNAMI, I was contacted by a gentleman named GREG who wanted to know more about our TSUNAMI cord. Because one of our customers 'Russ McCartney' of Seattle, who shortly before that time set a GUINNESS WORLDS RECORD for cutting GOZO (mats), using his sword with TSUNAMI wrapped handles, I encouraged Greg to contact Russ as he would receive a first hand opinion of our TSUNAMI from an very active sword 'user' and someone who has a great deal of 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 real suede leather (either Cow, Doe 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
A testimonial that tells it like it is ! Thanks Russ !
Battleship Gray above.... Cranberry Red below, with a slight 'waisted' shape.
TSUNAMI (which is a synthetic Suede fabric) looks and feels very much like regular suede leather. The big difference and benefit to the user is that TSUNAMI cord is available in a single continuous piece throughout its entire length and there are no weak ugly 'joints' every foot or two (like Deer aka DOE skin) where pieces are joined together. A ninety day comparison test was recently completed in which we provided a loyal customer with two handles (one wrapped with TSUNAMI and the other with Deer (aka DOE), and after the test period in which both handles were used equally, we were all amazed that the TSUNAMI still looked new, it did not curl up on the edges, did not soil quickly or get slick as leather 'suede' is known to do and unlike Deer (aka DOE), it has no 'glue joints'. While the test lasted only 3 months, based on the results that were verified, we are here to state that TSUNAMI will outperform natural suede leather (Cow, Water Buffalo, Horse, Pig, Donkey & DOE skin) TEN to ONE in customer satisfaction. TSUNAMI provides a greater degree of user friendliness and because of it's popularity, it is priced the same as our SILK and LEATHER.
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FINE LEATHER Our exclusive GENUINE leather cord (TSUKA-ITO) is now fully available. Our Leather cord is judged to be the finest because it is NON-STRETCH and can be tied tightly with the assurance that it will not stretch like a rubber band and loosen as other types of leather will.
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The undisputed elegance of black Leather on black Same'
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SILK The below handle wrapping cord is pure Silk and a few of the colors are available in all three weights (Katana, Wakizashi and Tanto).
TSUKA-ITO (handle wrapping cord)
