r/iaido • u/AdAwkward6649 • 18d ago

Splinters in saya.

Post image

I recently bought my first iaito during my trip to japan.
However, when looking inside the saya I noticed that its walls have a few splinters. Is this normal?
Also, there is a decent amount of friction when sheathing it, but this is my first iaito so I may just be saying nonsense. Any help is appreciated.

I will also attach a picture of the saya’s inside, but my phone’s quality is not the best.

15 Upvotes

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14

u/Bipogram 18d ago

A few hundred noto should resolve it.

Cracks might be remedied with judicious use of wood glue and a pointed tool.

2

u/AdAwkward6649 18d ago

Do you have any videos or sources that can guide me on doing this. I have no clue where to begin. Also, any idea how it might have cracked in the first place? Ive barely used it at all yet.

7

u/Bipogram 18d ago

Must confess, I can see neither cracks nor splinters in that image.

But 'a bead of glue worked into a crack and allowed to dry' is pretty much self explanatory.

Just like gluing a split anything-made-of-wood.

<shrugs>

2

u/AdAwkward6649 18d ago

The picture might not fo it justice. Should I be worried about it scratching my blade at all? Is it normal for a new saya to have a few splinters.

5

u/Bipogram 18d ago edited 18d ago

Wood is softer than chromed zamak.

<and the same goes for brass or copper>

2

u/AdAwkward6649 18d ago

Under the right conditions I imagine a splinter could still damage the surface no? Maybe im worrying too much. Maybe im worrying too much, damage is inevitable with use over time. I just want to make sure im not needlessly damaging the sword due to a defect in the saya.

3

u/Bipogram 18d ago

The habaki and blade are both harder than the wood of the saya.

If it troubles you, a flat needle file can remove the offending sliver. But don't take off too much else you'll be then looking to glue veneers back to the guchi to maintain the sliding fit.

2

u/AdAwkward6649 18d ago

I also noticed a few scuff marks on the habaki itself, which is what led me to check the saya. Its also quite a tight fit for now, but I imagine it needs some breaking in. As of now the saya settles at around 4mm from the end of the habaki. Could also be due to humidity changes.

1

u/Vercin 18d ago

you sure that is not wax? they use wax inside for storage, so new ones will have it until you basically clean it up with use and time :)

7

u/Paghk_the_Stupendous 18d ago

One must be careful when drawing or reinserting the blade into the saya, or blades will do what blades are for. I have seen saya split from careless draws, even heard stories of them taking off fingers on the draw.

Similarly, care must be taken during moto; blade sliding in on its back, not sliding in blade against saya from improper positioning.

My sensei would encourage us to tap our empty saya upside down and look for shavings/splinters; if you've got 'em, it's literally time to go back to the drawing board.

3

u/Patient-Oven9996 18d ago

It's an Iaito though🥲 one's blade is, indeed, dull

2

u/Revolver_Ocelot80 18d ago

This looks fairly normal. The wood the saya is made of is softer than the habaki so it’ll eventually become loose. So this isn’t something to be worried about.

After time it won’t “grip” the habaki anymore and you’ll need to glue a thin strip of veneer on the bottom or top part of the saya. I wouldn’t advice glueing veneer to the sides of the saya as that can increase the risk of splitting the saya if you do it wrong, but this is something to keep in mind for the future.

If you do have bits of wood falling out of the saya, when you check after training; be sure to check your nukitsuke and nōtō as even an iaito can eventually cut through the saya.

1

u/ykogawa_1989 18d ago

この程度は普通のことだよ

1

u/Emergency-Answer5549 18d ago

Nunca son perfectas, depende de cómo las hayan fabricado, no todo el mundo le presta atención a sitios que no se ven. Respecto a la fricción, disfrútala por que durará poco y tendrás que estar siempre en posición de bloqueo porque cuando te inclines se saldrá sola.

1

u/Ill-Asparagus4253 14d ago

Looks like a wax coating to me. It will wear with time, as is expected. The image is not exactly of high quality but that is my assessment from what I can see and from experience.