Tsuba Project

I was asked to make an tsuba to go on a blade that would have Edo style fittings.  It was required to have two Kozuka Hitsu-ana.  These were to be non-functional, and they were to be spaced out a little further from the seppa-dai by request.  I used a blank of 3/16th mild steel and drilled and finished the basic shape.   The nakago-ana was put in with the help of measurements taken by the smith who is making the blade.  I left a small amount of material so when it is mounted, it may be matched to the nakago as close as possible without the use of Sekigane.

The edge of the tsuba was enhanced by the addition of a Uchikaeshi Mimi.  You must be careful while doing this so you don't scar up the face of the tsuba.  After doing both sides of the tsuba this is what it looked like prior to chemical blackening.  I wanted the inner surface to have a little texture to it and added this prior to the blackening process. 

I blackened the surface and made sure the color was even and deep.  After curing, I cleaned up the tsuba and this is what the finished piece looks like.  It turned out really nice, the finish is even, the final look is very subdued and the addition of the texture to the surface offsets the mimi and gives an added dimension to the overall piece. 

Thank you for looking.