Sometimes the sword’s handle just won’t come off. This is especially true when it is your first time disassembling this particular sword. Lay your katana on a table and get yourself a wooden block and place it on top of the guard, so that it lies on the habaki (blade collar). Grab a big hammer and slightly tap the wooden block. Gradually increase the force. After a few strikes, you should be able to pull the tsuka from the tang. You can replace the splint with any other item that you have around. We only need it because hammering directly on the guard would damage it.