Disassembly

[alant]

The SoM katana disassembly instructions say, in part:

"Proper mekugi are tapered and should only be removed in one direction."

Unfortunately the instructions don't say how to tell which is the correct direction. Before poking and proding begins is there an easy way to tell? If not how much pressure should be applied in order to find out if you are going in the right direction?


edit:
UPON CLOSE INSPECTION
It becomes clear that one end of the mekugi is bigger then the other - problem solved.

[Brian Brazier]

traditionally the top closest to the tsuba comes out to the right as your holding the sword and the bottom to the left, but this isn't always the case especially with low end swords

[rick]

how often should i take my katana apart for cleaning??????

[Brian Brazier]

I don't take mine apart at all, if I think there is something that needs too be looked at or I want the handle wrap changed etc... I send mine to Nihonzashi

[rick]

to have some one else do the work costs more than my sword.so the more I learn the better .....

[Brian Brazier]

Absolutely, it has just been my experience that after I take it apart it is never as tightly fitting as when it was new. For normal cleaning you shouldn't have to take it apart

[rick]

cool I didn't so I asked