Hello,

I've just acquired a Hanwei Scottish Backsword. I'd like to take it apart to remove the frilly tassel and the leather basket liner - I think allowing the sharkskin to show will look better.

My guess is that a strap wrench applied to the pommel should do it, but I wanted your opinion if you know. The pommel appears to be a big chunk of metal with a little button at the very end. I'm guessing that the wrench should be applied to the big pommel, not the little button.

Am I right?

Last, should some heat be applied to the pommel prior to unscrewing it, or will just a bit of wrench do it? I'd like to avoid the possibility of damaging the sharkskin.

Thanks.

I have the antiqued Broadsword version of the same sword.

A strap wrench is not terribly necessary; I've been able to undo mine with my hands and sufficient torque. Yours might be on pretty tight though so don't be afraid to give it a quick twist with the wrench if it won't budge with your hands. Hanwei typically doesn't epoxy their pommels on.

Avoid heat unless it absolutely won't budge with the strap wrench. If you use heat, try wrapping aluminum foil around the basket and hilt; it might help.

Good luck. Don't forget to show us some pictures of your piece! :)

Thanks. I'll put some pictures together when I get some time to actually work on it a little.

I did just what you are doing with mine. I used a thick leather pad and vise grips and it came off quite easily. Just be careful re-installing the pommel so that you do not cross-thread it.

That is a pretty good sword for the price. Mine is the "antiqued" version which they no longer make.

Okay - for when I get back to it - should the vice grips go on the button at the very end, or the big pommel?

On mine, the button and the big pommel was one piece.
Used just my hands.

The backsword without tassel and liner is shown if you scroll down in this thread:
http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t...w=previous

If it's beyond hand-tight, and if you have a bench vise, secure the pommel between the rubber jaw liners of the vise and turn the basket for more leverage