Making a tsuka. 
Cutting the boundary
Cut a boundary around the marked outline at right angles to the surface with a chisel.
Chiselling out the tang
Carefully chisel out the area for the nakago.
Finished section
Hopefully after a while you will have carved out a section half the depth of the nakago.
Checking the fit
Insert the nakago and check the fit.  Make sure that it fits well and it is secure.  The tighter the better.
Now make the other half of the hilt by repeating all this on the other half of the hammer handle.
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This page was updated on Monday 17th January 2000