Masahiro Katana Assembly/Maint

Preparing to disassemble the katana. They did a good job with the rayskin fitting.

My sword came with a cleaning kit- though you can find many third party ones just as easily over the internet that will work. Choji oil is- choji oil.

The meguki pin is removed- this is the key to the stability of the katana and keeps the handle attached to the tang. Over time the meguki wears and it must be replaced. It will always go in at an angle, usually 20 degrees. One side IS bigger than the other, so be careful. My katana is a traditional 1 pin meguki, but two is better.

The tang- exposed. It is supposed to look rusted. KEEP IT THAT WAY! That is how swords keep their value.

The tang with all the sword's fittings. I leave the blade collar on because it is more trouble than its worth to remove.

Since I am moving away to school I figured I would give my katana a once over because I will not be back home until late November. I was worried that if I disassembled my katana that I would break it and would not be able to get it back together again. I tried it and it was relativly simple- and I also got it back together (months ago).


I wanted to see the exposed tang- there is no signature on this sword because it is a reproduction from Long Quan Forge along their discontinued line of Bamboo Katanas. Bamboo is just the theme- theres nothing wooden about it (except the meguki pin). Assembling/disassembling the katana is a great way to change things around, such as ornamental fittings, tsukas (hand guards), etc.


I would love to have a smith make a shirasaya for this sword (wood fittings). In the sword world, all the ornamental fittings I have on it now are like a tuxedo for the sword- if I were to put the blade into a shirasaya fitting it is like putting the blade in pajamas,if you see my analogy. I will have to do a sword cleaning video as well before I leave to show my techniques for cleaning them. To be honest, they arn't much different than what is widely taught- although I should say that if your katana is stainless steel then it does not need choji oil- just a good wipedown with a moist towel. stainless steel is that- it is protected from oxidation- carbon steel (1045) is not- it needs choji oil.