Where can I get interesting Tsubas?

[Kenzan]

My Sensei instructed me to get a decent Tsuba for both my Shinai and Bokken.

Thing is, I have no idea what is considered decent?

I'd also like to get something of quality, but yet fairly interesting.

can anyone steer me to the a good place?

For the Bokken,
I was thinking here:

https://www.kendoshop.com/Eng/index....cate=103101000

But the shipping is...whoa...pricey.

But I am still looking for the Shinai no Tsuba.

[jjcruiser]

Don't you live in So Cal?

Drive down the 405 to Torrance and go to Ebogu's warehouse and look at theirs. Personally, I think they have a few cool ones.

http://www.e-bogu.com/Shinai_s/25.htm

[JoDuncan]

Seen some purdy ones for shinai... can't remember if it was Tozando or the one next door. They were a flowery pattern, a bit feminine but pretty.

I like the leather tsuba, think they are a bit "better" than a normal plastic one, so i've heard, less prone to cracking apparently.

Seen your bokken tsuba B up close (dude here has one) and it does look nice.. if a bit flimsy.

[Alison2805]

Sankei have an awesome range of tsubas.

[Kenzan]

Don't you live in So Cal?

Drive down the 405 to Torrance and go to Ebogu's warehouse and look at theirs. Personally, I think they have a few cool ones.

http://www.e-bogu.com/Shinai_s/25.htm

An exzcellent suggestion!
And I may go with that. I do go down there a lot.
problem is...they were sort of so-so.

[Kenzan]

Sankei have an awesome range of tsubas.

Bingo!
That's the stuff.

http://www.zen-sankei.co.jp/products.../list_eng.html

Those are really nice!


Thanky!

[Dervish]

This is what I use for my shinai;

http://www.boguzen.com/b_sa47.html

http://www.boguzen.com/b_sa11.html

I especially like the tsubadome, as I find it to be a great improvement over the rubber tsubadome included with shinais as they tend to peel.

[pgsmith]

Kim Taylor has some very nice leather tsuba at SDK Supplies ...

http://sdksupplies.netfirms.com/cat_furtsuba.htm

[Kenzan]

Seen your bokken tsuba B up close (dude here has one) and it does look nice.. if a bit flimsy.

Rubber is it?

What makes the best Tsuba?

In other words, if you had a magic wand, what would be your ultimate Tsuba?


Within a reasonable price range of less that $30.00 that is....

[Kenzan]

Kim Taylor has some very nice leather tsuba at SDK Supplies ...

http://sdksupplies.netfirms.com/cat_furtsuba.htm

Ha!
I knew you'd come through PG!

So anyone have any preference of plastic over leather?
Does the leather crimp and stop being stiff down after time?

[Kenzan]

This is what I use for my shinai;

http://www.boguzen.com/b_sa47.html

http://www.boguzen.com/b_sa11.html

I especially like the tsubadome, as I find it to be a great improvement over the rubber tsubadome included with shinais as they tend to peel.

How do you find the Rawhide?
i assume that is it rawhide...

[Kenzan]

From Alison's link, there seems to be quite a few different types of Tsubas (it's at the bottom)

I wonder what the reason is?

http://www.zen-sankei.co.jp/products.../list_eng.html

[jjcruiser]

An exzcellent suggestion!
And I may go with that. I do go down there a lot.
problem is...they were sort of so-so.

I agree, these others ones that have been posted above are much fancier.

[Dervish]

How do you find the Rawhide?
i assume that is it rawhide...

I don't even know what it is, I got it as a gift 2 Christmases ago. As for how I find it, it's held up fine, but it looks rather weathered, but a sempai told me that was a good thing.

[Charles Lockhar]

What makes the best Tsuba?

In other words, if you had a magic wand, what would be your ultimate Tsuba?

I've had a rawhide tsuba for my bokken for about 11 years now, and it's held up very well, still in excellent condition, though between jodo and kendo it's been through hell and back. So my vote goes to the rawhide stuff.

I tried making my own, my one and only brain tanning attempt, but it didn't quite take, and it ended up being being pretty rank.

-Charles