Naginata questions

J

JoshuaM

Joined
Mar 4, 2018
Messages
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Hello again, I am a hobbyist knife maker and I mainly make tanto and camp style knives, I have made a few wakizashi and even fewer katana (with no success on the katanas.) I have wanted to attempt to make a naginata, but all I have to go off of is pictures and small paragraphs from the internet. I am very aware that this is no small chore, my work is very mediocre, but we must all start somewhere. I NEVER sell my blades, (though I do sell hammers and tongs occasionally,) this is just a fun hobby for me at the moment. I need info, I want to be (mostly) accurate in my methods and supplies. What are the terms for the blade and staff 'anatomy' I know a little bit thanks to the Craft of the Japanese Sword book. If any one has suggestions for websites, books, etc I would greatly appreciate the info. Furthermore, if anyone has a naginata pictures of the koshirae and blade would also be greatly appreciated. Thanks a ton!

-Josh
 
Not exactly what I'm looking for, I know how to use google and I already searched that and then some. I found some info but I was hoping a website such as BF would have somebody that knew a bit more about naginata than me, but thanks anyways.
 
This isn't the forum with the fastest turnaround time usually. Plus, there was a bit of a flaming here not long ago which might slow things down even more--who knows. If you want some decent pictures of a bare naginata blade and tang, google Kris Kutlery naginata blade. Or go to Kult of Athena, they take a bunch of in-house pics that show quite a bit more of their merchandise from multiple angles. As for references about them, I do remember handling physical books about naginata do, but it has been a couple of decades. Those books are still out there, but you will have to order them online, ironically. It might be more useful to ask at myarmoury.com, too, as they have had numerous discussions on pole arms of all sorts.
 
The best book is Knutsen, Japanese Spears: https://books.google.com/books/about/Japanese_Spears.html?id=Hh-HQgAACAAJ (or the older edition, Japanese Polearms).

Oval haft, otherwise the haft and fittings are much like a yari haft. Usually, the blade end of the haft is split/cut to just past the end of the tang, one side is cut free, and the two pieces are carved to fit the tang (like a katana hilt). The metal fittings (and glue, and other binding) then hold the two pieces together. You could also start with two planks, and just carve to fit the tang, glue them together, round into oval, add the metal fittings.

See post #4 here: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/how-do-i-create-the-handle-of-a-naginata.1406723/ for some links to photos and example of a build.
 
Yes sir, pretty much anything which is re-polished is put into shirasaya.
 
I built this one for a pole arms challenge a while back. There is a good bit of info in it you are asking. The tsuka was in two parts, with mekugi holding it together. The collars and wrap made it very firm. It can be taken down and transported in a trombone case or sword bag.
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/naginata-heading-for-ashokan.584085/

Detailed info and photos of tsuka build. Starts on page #7 beginning at post #125:
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/the-ashokan-pole-arm-challenge.562155/page-7
 
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