Question for the Distinguished Gentlemen

[Taygrd]

Pulled apart the Paul Chen Practical Katana today and found out a few interesting things. The menuki are plastic and the fake same was put in in panels, but the actual tsuka is of great quality but glued on like a champ. I had wanted to use the orignal kashira but fit some shitodome (love that word) in it to dress it up. The curvature of the kashira may make that improbable. Narrowed my options down to this 1-don't use the shitodome or 2-make a kashira out of horn and use the shitodome.
Here is my question:
Is is appropriate to use a horn kashira with a metal fuchi and does it look good?
I am openly asking for opinions from any and everyone and would greatly appreciate any input.

If anyone has any pictures of a sword with these fittings or knows were I could look please let me know. I have only seen swords with horn kashira with the formal Tokogawa knot over the top.

[bobO]

taygrd,I'm confused(nothing new there)Do you mean Koiguchi? But as has been stated on this forum before,go for it.If I didn't like you,I'd tell you to go to that other forum and ask them.That would make for some fun reading.Forgot,go for the shitodome,if for no other reason then to be able to tell people what they are!But really I like the look of them they tie the sword and saya together.

[Taygrd]

It is the kashira or pommel. I know they sell them in horn but I do not know is the fuchi should match.

[bobO]

oops,my bad. Yeah they should match,IMO.And again the use of shitodome helps tie every thing together.Meaning if you want to go all the way everything that should be horn should be horn(Zen-huh).I'm sure you know the drill.I know there's a place where you can buy blocks of horn.I'm sure one of the distinguished Gentlemen will come along and tell you,just wanted to get my two cents in first !

[Taygrd]

Thanks BobO. I had reservations about using horn/metal combo and wanted to touch base with those who know. Believe it or not I actually have horn in the shop in block and natural state. Got more $$ in supplies than I do in equipment:-?. Of course with the cost of steel these days it is easy to do.

Thank you BobO Elite Death Dealer/Imperial Sword Master/ Lama Whisperer

[bobO]

=))Lama Whisper:Wait don't laugh,I've worked with lama's before and alpaca's .They spit,they kick,they bite.Yeah look at the cute lama my %*s!~X(Cause now I'm gonna get hate mail from all the lama lovers out there!

[goose710]

I eat llama's for sunday dinner! Burrrb! Gives me gas
goose710