Bokken

[Sam1911]

Three of the kids are going to be attending Hapkido camp in a few weeks and the focus will be on some basic weapons training.

They've got their foam padded nunchaku ready to go, but we were told they would need a set of bokken to participate. I asked to borrow one from the instructor and made a set measured to fit each of them more closely.

I might have gone a bit overboard, but how often is this need going to arise?

(Bic lighter for scale.)

 

[Devonai]

Wow, gorgeous.

I have fond memories of my college days, when the closest place I could find bokken was a tiny martial arts shop in Boston. Put to good use, one could never tell how long they would last; those that survived the first day typically lasted several months.

These days I have a pair of Cold Steel polypro bokken, they seem indestructible but have a much more whippy feel than wood, more like shinai really.

 

[JShirley]

Sam, those are beautiful. What wood did you use?

Devonai, their "O Bokken" are much heavier and more solid.

 

[Sam1911]

Thanks!

The blades are cut from a blank of red oak that I had on hand, and I selected the cuts and quarter-sawed them out to try and get the most durability.

This being a kids' class lasting one week, I don't expect these will see much actual impact use, but I'll watch and see how much damage they're taking.

 

[rcmodel]

What did you wrap them with?

rc

 

[Sam1911]

Well, seeing as WalMart was all out of ray skin... heavy woven nylon ribbon.

And the menuke are decorative tacks... but they look like mums to me, so I figured I was batting at least .500 with that!

And the tsuba are 3/8" good plywood, secured with West System epoxy. Scabbards are plywood and poplar.

All in all, not terribly traditional, but cheap! A little plywood, a little stain, a little spray enamel, some ribbon... and about three solid days of work...my whole Memorial Day weekend...

 

[JShirley]

Red oak should be a good choice.

 

[Sam1911]

Oh, and I stole a little idea from the instructors' "ProForce" model: a couple of rare earth magnets, one embedded in the side of the blade, and one in the inner surface of the sheath to provide a little retention.

 

[Sam1911]

John, If they survive camp week, I'll bring them along to our training day so you can play with them.

 

[rcmodel]

Well, seeing as WalMart was all out of ray skin

Not surprised.
They were out of Ray skin when I tried to restore this Katina years ago too.

I found some white nylon webbing, and used black rayon tubular ??? Something from a fabric store.

I made the menuke out of brass rod and copper tubing.



BTW: you did a heck of a fine job on those bokken!!'

rc

 

[Sam1911]

Wow! That came out purtier than mine! Nice!

 

[rcmodel]

I guess.

I never did quit get the hang of wrapping and tying off the whole thing with the right knots though.

It's harder then it looks at first glance!!

As you probably already noticed!!

rc

 

[bikerdoc]

My compliments gentlemen. You you guys have way more talent and patience than me.

 

[Sam1911]

I never did quit get the hang of wrapping and tying off the whole thing with the right knots though.

It's harder then it looks at first glance!!

The wrapping wasn't too terribly hard, though my ribbon doesn't lay as flat as the real stuff. Not enough body I guess.

The knots...I honestly didn't even try to do the real thing. Guess I just drew the line at that!

 

[glistam]

I just think it's awesome you made custom bokken for the kids.

 

[Sam1911]

Thanks!

We have a little tradition of pretty decent wooden weaponry in our household. Seven geeks under one roof...

Shortly after the first "How to Train Your Dragon" movie came out, my little gal was kitted out pretty well...

 

[JShirley]

Guys, this is how Sam started making knives. I saw some of these "toys", and said, Hey, you should try making some knives.

 

[Sam1911]

'Tis true.

 

[heron]

You may have just created some heirlooms there, Sam. Very classy.

 

[horsemen61]

damn those look nice

 

[Gordon]

Kudos to your skill and your family!

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Fine Craftsmanship.