Application of Rayskin

Rayskin is sort of the heart of a tsuka. It binds the core together and adds friction for the wrap to grip. A good rayskin wrap dramatically improves the appearence.

A Practical Plus tanto wrapped with a full rayskin wrap. The nodes were sanded smooth so the grip doesn't bite into the hand. This was the first full wrap i ever did. It was a Paul Chen Shinto katana with a relacquered saya. The menuki are glued into place. The heavy lacquer coat on the rayskin makes the nodes easier to grip. This tanto has a similar black rayskin grip. It almost has a "tactical" appearence. This is a recent full wrap done on a Practical Plus Wakizashi. The wrap was done with VERY high quality stingray skin. The nodes are gigantic, much nicer than 99% of poduction swords. The quality of rayskin can really make a beautiful looking sword. I also sanded, stained, and clear lacquered the saya. This rayskin wrap was stained in coffee. The seam in the back was invisible. I also did a full rayskin wrap on this blade. The rayskin was very high quality. It was also black lacquered over. karusa1 I did a rayskin application t this saya. IT WAS DAMN HARD. Very expensive... This Tsunami Wakzashi has a full rayskin wrap. The seam was okay on this one. If it had a tsukamaki it would be less apparent. A full wrap helps hold the wood core from splitting. This tanto also has a full wrap. I mounted it "aikuchi" style liem the Wakizashi. Here is the same rayskin saya like the one before. This will cost a lot of money if I do it again. I'm serious. probably more than $200. A full wrap I just completed for a client. The rayskin selected had enormous "emperor" nodes. This is the tsuka core after being reshaped and wrapped with the rayskin The rayskin is cut, glued, and tied to the core to ensure it dries properly. Here's the core lacquered black. The wrapping process. Takes hours to do and results in sore hands, but worth it. And here's the end product. A high quality same wrap and a rock solid tsukam... $70 gets a full wrap. $90 gets a full wrap with the Emperor nodes as shown here.