Stretching Tsuru, or overzealous tightening?

[NoNameKleenex]

Hi All,

I've had my shinai for about a month and have gone through the usual sanding and oiling to prepare it for practice. I've also taken it apart and reassembled it a few times since then to get used to the process.

I've noticed, though, that when I finish tightening and tying the tsuru, there seems to be an excess of string (1" +/-). I don't remember this much extra string after receiving the shinai, and I'm close to positive I've got it tied and tensioned correctly. There's no bend in the Shinai, but I also can't pull the tsuru away from the shinai more than an inch.

I've heard the leather parts stretch with use, but does the same apply to the tsuru? I'll ask at class for somebody to run an eyeball over it to make sure, but I was just curious if this was normal.

Thanks!

Edit: Fixed grammatical errors.

[Paikea]

Yep, they stretch a bit, as does the tsukagawa. What you see sounds normal.

[NoNameKleenex]

Yep, they stretch a bit, as does the tsukagawa. What you see sounds normal.

Thanks much!

[Moose]

Have a look here...... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyJNAluiOKY

[foundinsea]

I find there always "seems" to be more after you've taken it apart and reassembled it...it's normal so nothing to worry about.

[NoNameKleenex]

Thanks all - much appreciated.

[JoDuncan]

When i read "stretching tsuru" i thought it was a Nipponification of "Choking the chicken"
:p :D

[NoNameKleenex]

When i read "stretching tsuru" i thought it was a Nipponification of "Choking the chicken"
:p :D

Whoops! In that case I'm surprised you didn't respond sooner :)

[JoDuncan]

Don't worry, you didn't make a mistake, Tsuru does mean string but it also means crane (the bird)

and other things too.