How To How much ito per inch of tsukamaki.

[Johnny Lee Serna]

I am going to be making a few kwaiken fixed blades and want to do a Japanese handle wrap. I bought the ito in a 16’ roll. But I’m assuming that’s enough for a full tsuka with plenty left over to work the end knot. My question is, how much do I use for a 5” handle so I’m not starring in the center and possibly risking the fall off on each end will not be enough to use on another. I understand cutting it in half would make sense but if I can get 3 out of it that would be ideal. But I want to know before I go cutting it. Also these won’t have wood handles so the diameter of the handle will be less. It will be 1.25” wide by .187” thick with a ray skin wrap.

 

[Richard338]

Fred Lohman has a rough estimate on his website.
Convert inches into feet, then add 4.
E.g. a 6" handle would need 10' of wrap.
This is a bit generous, but gives some leeway.

Given your handle design, I'm guessing that you will comfortably get two, but shooting for three might be dangerous.

 

[Johnny Lee Serna]

Fred Lohman has a rough estimate on his website.
Convert inches into feet, then add 4.
E.g. a 6" handle would need 10' of wrap.
This is a bit generous, but gives some leeway.

Given your handle design, I'm guessing that you will comfortably get two, but shooting for three might be dangerous.

Thank you!

 

[Richard338]

You might want to do a mock wrap first.
The estimate I gave is for 10mm silk "katana" ito.
Some of the leather cord comes in narrower sizes and would take more turns.
I accidentally bought some narrow leather for my tantos, but ended up getting the 10mm silk because it looks better to me.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I use a general length of 13 to 15 times the tsuka length. This will vary depending on the type and size of ito as well as the style of maki.