How to Make a Japanese Bokken

Step 3 Ripping the Wood

Rip two pieces of hardwood to ¾ inch x 1-1/2 inch, at least 42 inches long.

Joint one of the 1-1/2 inch sides of each for to make a smooth gluing surface.

The two pieces used here are white oak and Brazilian cherry. Both are very hard woods, which will take strikes well in practice.

Comments

[Dynames4]

I'm trying to find a way to successfully use bamboo to make a bokken... So far, no success. Do you have any techniques that might make this possible? Thanks

[zjohnson6]

what you want to do is make something else entirely its called a kendo shinai stick and they're made by taking strips of bamboo and binding them at the base middle and with a rubber or synthetic ferrule at the tip they're easy to make and very durable