Handle Washing

[icy_flame]

The handle for one of my shinai is just down right rank, is it possible to wash it? If so how do I go about doing so?

[Alison2805]

I was told the other day that you can get some sandpaper (not really rough) and gently sand the leather which removes the outer coating of sweat and dead skin. It also improves grip. But you can only do that a couple of times over the life of a handle, otherwise it can cause it to tear. And make sure you DONT SAND THE STITCHING!!!

Otherwise you can take it off, wash it in warm water and soap, rinse really well and squeeze as much water out as possible, then put back on the shinai to dry (otherwise it'll shrink).

Or just get a new one....

[Old Warrior]

The handle for one of my shinai is just down right rank, is it possible to wash it? If so how do I go about doing so?

Use a key and scrape it up and down while slowly turning the shinai. I do this before every class and it removes the grime and roughs up the surface for a better grip.

[yoda-waza]

Use anything like a dull blade (a key will do, as mentioned) to scrape the tsuka free of gunk. Then spray liberally with a disinfectant to annihilate those pesky bacteria. No need to disassemble and wash the thing.

[Hai_hai]

The handle for one of my shinai is just down right rank, is it possible to wash it? If so how do I go about doing so?
Well, some turd burger decided to take my shinai one practice and left his. The grip smelled funny and it was dirtier. It didn't matter though because I had bought another shinai and ended up getting into bogu later on.

You could just wait until you get into bogu because then the smell of the shinai handle will not be as bad as the kote palms. If you really can't stand it, just replace it. www.e-bogu.com and www.eguchi.net sell replacements.

[Simon Sheppard]

You could also just change the handle cover. The replacements are pretty cheap and it's like having a new shinai (sort of)

[PenPen]

I just Wash mine w/ laundry deturgent in the sink with a course scrub pad (not steel wool) and rince it well and put back on the shinai asap or it will shrink and be a pain in the butt to get back on, after that it is kinda stiff and hard feeling so i take like a key or anydull edge and scrape it till it gets all fluffy again, its ghetto but its worked for years.

I'm sure you can find something better than laundry deturgent to get the grime off better ( some kind of leather cleaner) but that will cost more than a new handle ^_^

[icy_flame]

i just washed it with water and some soap. it became fluffy again... lots of washing and scrubbing....

[Kenzan]

..But why wash it at all?
Your putrified rubbed-off-skin mixed with sweat, blood perhaps, and good ol' fashioned filth should be a proud (if not a bit disgusting) badge of honor, I say!
:D

I wonder what sort of battles are taking place at this very moment against the bacteria on my Shinai handle, kept at bay by the anticeptic properties of much soaked indigo fiber....

[icy_flame]

Fluffy handles feel better than grimy ones! Actually I prefer the grip of the "fluff" over lackard grime grips.

[Kenzan]

Fluffy handles feel better than grimy ones!

Grimy tastes better though.

[ccheck5]

lol i have a grimey one