how to make a bokken

[kane]

Ive been trying to find out how to make a bokken but i havent really had any luck.I was woundering if any one here could help.

[mystic_kendoka]

make a bokken?
do you need to make one, or just to find out or have fun making one?

i dont think its very easy... unless u have some huge factory and a bunch of trees though..

[Steffen]

Hi kane.

There is a website with a detailed description of how to make your own bokken, including the selection of the right kind of wood:

http://ejmas.com/tin/tinart_taylor_1100.htm

I didn't try it myself, but it sounds very interesting.
If you really made one of your own, please report back, I'm very interested in your results.

Bye,
Steffen

[Migoto]

http://www.uoguelph.ca/~kataylor/bokuto.htm



This is the website that I used to guide me when I wanted to make my own bokken. It helped a lot. I chose Cocobolo it has many great properties and the wood looks great. If you are going to use Cocobolo (which I would recommend) when complete use a rag with little to almost no mineral oil to condition the wood then wipe it with a dry rag and then work Carnauba wax into the wood to give it some protection and shine. I am currently working a bokken right now made a Purple Heart and hope to have it finish this weekend. Next month I am going to make one of Orange Osage. It’s a lot of fun and I think it strengthens the spirit. If you have any question I would be more then happy to help.

[kane]

i have another question since this is my first time trying to make a bokken is it as hard as everyone says it is cause i hear different things like "its easy if u really want to do it" or "i wouldent try making one if u were u". i just want to know what its like also.

~Thanks

[Migoto]

I don’t think it’s that hard at all. Like all things in the Budo just be mindful. Act carefully and with intent and it will go fairly easy. It is wood after all and and you cannot add what you have removed. I’m almost finished the Purple Heart bokken I was working on when I wrote the last reply. All I have to do in some fine sanding to make it really smooth, Heat it with a heat gun to give it a nice deep purple color and treat with carnauba wax so it will shine. I would like to encourage you to give it a try. I think if you have the interest to do it that you will be most happy in the process and will feel good with the result. It only takes time and wood, and the time is an investment in your self. Again if you have any questions I would love to help.

[mystic_kendoka]

where can i get the wood though?

[Migoto]

That is a good question. If you have checked out the website shown above, there is a lot of different types of wood you can use. When you go to find wood do not be set in one wood or another. You will have to look at each piece and image the bokken coming from that piece. Kim Tailors website will tell you what to look for. In your town is likely to be a woodworking store that sells exotic wood, ask around. I am lucky there is a “Woodworkers Source” store down the street from my work.



http://www.woodworkerssource.net/ (http://www.woodworkerssource.net/)



This is their website. It is very informative. You will need an 8/4 (the website will tell you what 8/4 means, just under 2 inches) piece that is wide enough for the curve you what and the right length for the bokken. I have not purchased from the website and do not know how it would work unless you call the and explain what you need i.e. no deep cracks, long running grain and wide enough with the grain for the curve of the bokken, and have them hand pick it for you.

Wood like Cocobolo is hard to find in the right size and quality. Purple Heart is much easier but you don’t need to go to something so exotic Oak would work fine.

[Zaphiel]

you really can make a bokken on yourself.....wow

[mystic_kendoka]

do u cut into the wood to make the curved shape?
or would u make a straight katana shaped thing, then bend it?

because on my bokuto it seems very much like the grain of the wood goes along the sword, following the curve... but it would seem very difficult to bend it that way...

[Bob the Blade]

I have made around 12 bokkens so far and the best woods I have found were IPE, JATOBA, CUMARU and the one everybody wants me to sell them MAKASSAR EBONY, I treat them with tung oil after shaping a 40-41" x 2"x 1.5 (or 6/8) piece with a spokeshave then sanding with 80, 120, 400 and finishing with #0000 steel wool. I make them with different thicknesses of blades, shapes of tsuka (thicker or tapered like a katana) whatever the fellow kenshi wants, its not so hard to do, you just need patience and to like what you do otherwise you you go out and buy one. personaly I would rather pay 20$ and make a naginata bokken than pay 300$ from a local vendor.

lose the battle...not the lesson.

bob

[Shinai]

when many dojos let you use a home-made bokken in class?

[mystic_kendoka]

i wouldnt be so happy someone practising kata on me with a custom made bokuto...

[Bob the Blade]

why not if the lengh and curve are correct , its just different types of wood and perhaps the tsuka is more comfortable like a katana.

bob

[not-I]

I have made around 12 bokkens so far...#

Hi, you wouldn't happen to be Bob of www.bobsbokkens.com (http://www.bobsbokkens.com), would you?

[mystic_kendoka]

why not if the lengh and curve are correct , its just different types of wood and perhaps the tsuka is more comfortable like a katana.

bob

i guess if the maker knew what he was doing it would be the same, maybe even better, but if an amateur just got some wood, hacked pieces off, and put a tsuba on it, i would stay clear of them...

[Bob the Blade]

#

Hi, you wouldn't happen to be Bob of www.bobsbokkens.com (http://www.bobsbokkens.com/), would you?
no. I am not, but he makes nice bokkens.

[Shinai]

yeah, I'd doubt that many sensei would let just anyone bring in there own homemade bokken, I wouldn't do a kata against someone with a bokken that looked like a bit was going to fly of and hit me...but I guess that if your bokkens are good enough you should be able to clear it with your sensei :wink: