how thick is katana sheath?

[DaQo'tah Forge]

How thick is Katana sheath?

I will start to make my very first Katana this week but I have a few questions...

One question I have deals with the sheath of the Katana,,,

Now I dont want to spend a lot of time on the sheath,,,I just need a sheath to carry the sword with , as I will display the Katana without a sheath.

My plan is to use 3 sections of 1/4 inch wood to make the sheath as shown on the Katana video by Wally Hayes.
However I do not know how thick the side walls of the sheath are to be made?...also, I do not know how tight to the blade I make the wood come?
I was going to lay the Katana down on top of a section of wood and trace around it,,,,But how much extra woud I then add?...1/16 of an inch all the way around?...1/8th?...1/4?....

 

[Watchful]

I think it varies, of course, but something like 3/8" is what I've seen on a few. The key is that whatever blade is placed in there, it shouldn't rattle or wobble, but pretty much lock itself right in snugly.

I think the scabbard will prove to be pretty tricky to make, but you indicate that this will be for transport purposes mostly, and will not be part of the permanent display.

As a result, it may not matter: you might want to consider what will best protect the blade during transport and not stress over authenticity's requirements!

Good luck, and let us know how it turns/turned out.

 

[wnease]

Katana blades are normally about 8mm, and the habaki adds thickness, and also must fit into the scabbard, so the scabbard needs to be fairly beefy. I usually make my scabbards the same thickness as the handle...gives a nice design continuity.