Need some help deciding!

[RobbyDoom]

I would have attached this to my previous "Custom Project" thread, but it does not allow you to post a poll within an existing thread :(

So the reason for this poll, is to help me decide between, A: Leather tsuka-ito, or B: Tsunami faux suede, which is pretty much the same as the faux suede ito on the Paul Chen Practical XL.
It's driving me insane...~X( So maybe a bit of input from you guys might help me decide. This poll will be about the look vs. function, as I won't be cutting with it on a regular basis.

To give you an idea of the colour scheme; the fuchigashira is flat black. The seppa are copper and the tsuba is blackish gray, that of the tsuba from the Paul Chen practical series. The samegawa will be white and black (Don't ask..lol...I will not tell you, you'll have to wait to see it).
Both tsuka-ito are coming from Fred Lohman.


Thanks in advance guys!!!!!!:):):):):):):)

Here are the photos of both.

A:http://www.japanese-swords.com/images/fittings/handles-03.jpg


B:http://www.japanese-swords.com/images/fittings/tsunami-1.jpg

[Maynar]

Timely question, I'm waiting on a Kill Bill Bride sword as we type.

I think the leather ito is the issue. How slippery?

Anyone?

[RobbyDoom]

Timely question, I'm waiting on a Kill Bill Bride sword as we type.

I think the leather ito is the issue. How slippery?

Anyone?
See that's one thing I'm not worried about. As I said, I will most likely not be cutting with it on the regular. It will be more or less a show piece. I don't want to kill my Raw blade. :)
As for the faux leather that is on the Bride sword. I had the same stuff on one of my old katana, and it seemed to be a bit tacky, even with sweaty hand. I'm not sure how the real stuff reacts. I hear it's slippery, but I can't say for sure, as I have never held real leather ito in my hands.
Thanks for the vote Maynar!!!

[goose710]

Mr Doom
I like the leather ito have it on a chen practical wac never felt slippery
da gooseman

[Maynar]

Near as I can tell, this ito is real leather.

Rock on wit' you bad self Robby. :)

[RobbyDoom]

Near as I can tell, this ito is real leather.

Rock on wit' you bad self Robby. :)
Oh yeah real for sure...it's from Lohman!!!!

[goose710]

Mr Doom
he's got some GOOD stuff
da gooseman

[RobbyDoom]

Mr Doom
he's got some GOOD stuff
da gooseman
I can imagine...isn't that where the pros go?
I super stoked. I'm going to get the ito soon. I think a week of decision making will do.

[Firehand10k]

I have leather on a few swords and never had any slipping problems. It a personal preference bt i always find suede to look kinda half finished. I have shiny blades so shiny leather handles are nice too , to me.

[RobbyDoom]

I have leather on a few swords and never had any slipping problems. It a personal preference bt i always find suede to look kinda half finished. I have shiny blades so shiny leather handles are nice too , to me.
Thanks for your input Fire!! :)
I've been leaning towards leather....looks like it's the winner so far.
I can always use the tsunami on a future project.

[Caliper]

I like the leather look, the tsunami seems to be in vogue at the moment but I just don't like the 'fuzzy' look of it

[Mako]

I've never owned either but if shoes are anything to go by, it's gotta be leather for me.

[Maynar]

Put 'em on your feet.

Shoes.

[Taygrd]

I prefer leather myself. :)

[the blade master]

I prefer leather myself. :)
only because your into s/m tagryd cmon be honest:ohyeah:=))

[Taygrd]

only because your into s/m tagryd cmon be honest:ohyeah:=))
I don't kiss and tell.

[69NINJA]

I don't kiss and tell.

He records and youtubes

[the blade master]

i know i saw=))

[Taygrd]

Always wear a mask:torch:

[bobO]

Okay, better late then never. I love the look of leather, real leather like on the Tori. But the faux leather on the ppk is better for quick draws. If your hands are dry and the leather is dry, there can be some slip. THIS is very disconcerting.

[RobbyDoom]

Okay, better late then never. I love the look of leather, real leather like on the Tori. But the faux leather on the ppk is better for quick draws. If your hands are dry and the leather is dry, there can be some slip. THIS is very disconcerting.
Thanks for the insight BobO!!! It is definitely taken in, and thought upon.

All the others, whom have commented/voted; I consider and retain your insight as well!! ;)=D>

Again, thanks everyone. I'm sending in my item list and money order to Fred on Monday. So you'll see what I have chosen when I finish the build.

[Torawashi]

Okay, better late then never. I love the look of leather, real leather like on the Tori. But the faux leather on the ppk is better for quick draws. If your hands are dry and the leather is dry, there can be some slip. THIS is very disconcerting.

I'm wit' bobO; I don't care much for the look of suede on a tsuka....but the leather-like wrap on my PPK and PP Wak are the most comfortable grips I have ever handled....anyway that's my write-in vote!

[Kurubushi Kamu]

I just found this poll and voted for leather based on the fact that this sword will be displayed more than cut with. Leather for looks, tsunami for cutting! Plain and simple.. and Fred has great stuff! Are you sending it to him for wrap, to Skip, or are you doing it yourself? Leather ito can be tricky to wrap (though it looks incredible with black same!). KK

[RobbyDoom]

Are you sending it to him for wrap, to Skip, or are you doing it yourself?
I'm going to be doing the tsuka-maki my self. I have done a couple of wraps myself and I have the drive to do it well, so I will take my time and do it perfect!:)

[Taygrd]

KK is right leather is tricky but take your time and the results are fantastic.

[Mako]

A couple of pics of leather tsukamaki done by our friend in London... 'Wolfhound'...

http://xs217.xs.to/xs217/07293/04032401.JPG (http://xs.to)
http://xs217.xs.to/xs217/07293/04032403.JPG (http://xs.to)

[Katana Hunter]

Leather looks really nice

[andysoard]

Ive always like the look of leather ito on a sword (midevil or japanese).

[the blade master]

i have a couple chens with leather ito on the tsuka's they look good feel even better but suede no thanks absorbes moisture/sweat too easly
then just falls apart before you know it.
mick:ohyeah:

[Caliper]

mmmmm....leather =P~

time to go eat a cow