Kingfisher Bokken
My wife recently bought me a Handcut Jo from Kingfisher and I was amazed at the quality and feel of the wood, especially compared to my old Red Oak Jo.
I am now looking into getting a Kingfisher Bokken but would like some advice on what style to pick. I currently am using an Iwama Ken, I like the solid feel and stout appearence of the weapon but the Kingfisher Aiki Ken looks great. Does anyone know how the Kingfisher Iwama compares to the Aiki Ken during training? Any response is appreciated. |
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You are likely to find that, if your existing bokken is shiro kashi, the Kingfisher iwama style bokken will be an entirely different animal. its going to be faster and send less vibration to your hands when it takes an impact. Their Aikiken is the best choice, IMO, if you are looking for a bokken with a tsuba. I believe the larger Aikiken will be a bit longer than the Iwama bokken and with a tsuba it will be balanced closer to the tsuka. Without the tsuba, I think you will find that its much quicker than your current bokken; it'll feel like you are holding a lightning bolt in your hands. FYI, the "standard" bokkens are very nice and if you get one you won't feel half as bad the first time you have to sand out a dimple. Sanding a hand-cut bokken is a shame. Actually I can't believe people use those hand-cut bokken in regular training. Makes me want to cry. :( |
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Thank you for the response, Cliff.
The Aiki Ken does look like a fine bokken. Though I do not use a Tsuba, I am leaning toward getting the Aiki Ken. |
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I have the Iwama style from Kingfisher and have been absolutely pleased with it. My only complaint is that I had a sharp edge on the omote side of the tsuka and I actually sanded it down a tad. I hated applying sandpaper to it, but it was only about a half-inch edge and took maybe ten strokes with 200 grit sandpaper. I also spent hours tapping the striking surfaces to harden them before I ever used it. They give you detailed instructions on surface hardening and I don't have any visible dents. I understand what Cliff is saying about using the handcut bokken and jo in regular training, but then again, what were they made for? If I ever wear these out, I will replace them with exactly the same thing and use them regularly. They are works of art but are most beautiful when being used.
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In all seriousness I think the hand-cut bokken are great for sitting under the shomen for the instructor to pick up and demonstrate something during class. Now, if you don't mind spending a lot of money on a bokken and actually intend to use it for a lot of rough practice, then you should drop Kingfisher an email and ask them about the enhanced hickory practice weapons. |
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No argument there, Cliff. Mine are about two years old now and I think the time spent surfacing hardening them has paid off. I check my weapons for dents, splinters, cracks and the like each time I pick them up and can feel slight denting after a lot of hard use, but nothing really visible. I can "see" the dents after I feel them.
The surface hardening process takes some time, or at least it did me. I used a long screwdriver with a plastic handle to tap all the impact surfaces literally hundreds of times in three phases. The first was light tapping, then moderate tapping, and then hard striking. It took me about a month to do as I had to wait until I had the house to myself as the tapping would drive any spectator insane. If and when it becomes necessary I will look into the enhanced products, but I'm sure I will stick with Kingfisher in any event. |
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I haven't work hardened my Jo yet, I have a week till next practice and I think I'll have to consign myself to the shed for an evening so I can tap away without the dreaded Wife monster appearing :).
Seriously though, I really like the look of the Aiki Ken and I think I'll save up for the grade 7. I don't think I could afford the extra £100 for the enhanced version. I don't expect the Aiki Ken to never get any dents, but I'll look after it well so it should last me a long time. Can you use any hard surface for work hardening? For example another Jo. |
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Ralph,
You could certainly, but it would have to be harder than the object jo. I found that sitting with the jo or bokken across my knees and using the plastic handle of the screwdriver as the striking surface to be the most satisfactory. Just take care to use the flat surface of the handle to contact the wood or you will get dents. I have two of the long screwdrivers; one has a square handle with rounded edges and the other has the more traditional grooved handle. Both work, but the square handle was easier. It will take about a week to get the sound of pounding out of your head...... |
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I've put ~ 5 years of countless hard strikes on my Iwama style Kingfisher grade 7 bokken. I love it. Sensei says I need to get a real Iwama style bokken - meaning the Kingfishers is not 'correct'. I have not pressed for a specifc detailed answer as to exactly why it is not right but in terms of shape and balance it essentially is identical to senseis so all that is left is the coloration (gorgeous compared to lame old kashi if you as me) and feel.
The strong impression I got was I'd never get the weapons right until I get a correct bokken. I am mystified by this. |
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their weapons stands look like a serious indulgence too
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I am going to begin the first phase of Jo tapping tonight. I have a seminar to attend on the 17th and I'd like it to be ready by then. I've decided to get the Aiki Ken in a couple of months when I save up enough money. It does look gorgeous.
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Surely it shouldn't matter what style of Bokken you have, its the person who wields the weapon, not the weapon itself. |
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Bought the large Aikiken hand cut top grade several years ago. Did the hardening thing as well. Still gorgeous and looks brand new except for the hard won surface from many hours of hard training. I bought the large but knda wish I had got the regular but I am 230 and six feet so I went large. Works very well but I had a friend get the regular and it felt good as well. The cost is a little prohibitive but makes a great Christmas present (which mine was).
Doc |
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I'm not sure on whether to get the large or medium Aiki Ken. I'm 5'8 and my current bokken is 41" so its slap bang in the middle of the large and medium sizes.
I think I'll measure up my Iaito and size the Aiki Ken according to that. |
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I don't really see the need to sand a bokken, for a jo yes, since you need it to slide between your hands. I have Iwama style Kingfisher's hand cut, regular sanded finish grade 5 and enhanced. I actually like the dents and patina on my bokkens.
I suggest you go for the enhaced bokkens, save you the work of sanding since they're dent resistant and don't warp that easily. |
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Bien,
It depends on the tradition of your school. On one kumi tachi we prevent a strike by holding the edge of the bokken against our partner's forearms/wrists. |
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We do several kumi tachi were you make contact and "slice" across your partner. Usually against the gi, but splinters are not welcome. Even without contact with skin, any loose piece of wood that can fly off is unwelcome.
I just replaced a splintery bujin bokken with a large enhanced aikiken from Kingfisher. I'm happy with my big heavy stick (compared to any bokken I've had) but have not yet used it in paired practice. The jo has held out well so far though. |
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Well, I spent an hour last night tapping away at my jo and I feel confident about using it during training on thursday night, though I can still feel shaking in my hand :)
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Overall I would say that if the shape and size of the bokkens them make works for you, Kingfisher makes the best weapons out there. I have a Kingfisher Woodworks A+ Hickory Aiki Ken that is hand cut and has never been touched by sand paper. Back in the day I had a composite bokken from them that had some problems. I sent it back and got back another one with problems. I had a conversation with the owner and he told me that he would make me the last bokken I would ever need to resolve the issue. He was not wrong. Unfortunately my bokken training has changed such that I now use much lighter and much narrower swords. I am actually thinking about selling the Kingfisher bokken since it is a shame for such a nice sword to go unused. If anyone is interested, let me know.
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I am looking at this piece of wood now and it is so nice, I am wondering if I could ask Kingfisher to cut it down to the Yagyu Shinkage shape from the Aiki Ken shape. It never hurts to ask, right?
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Used my Kingfisher Jo for the first time last night, it feels so much better than my old red oak Jo. Much much lighter but faster and it feels very sturdy. Very impressed with this weapon. |
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I just got an Enhanced Kingfisher Shinto Bokken. The craftsmanship is amazing! I'm very impressed with this weapon. The balance and weight is prefect.
I took some pics next to an Iwama Bokken from S&P. - |
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This thread is of real interest to me. I started ordering a Kingfisher jo a few weeks ago but got stuck on the inscription so I started a few threads here to help me decide on the kanji.
If you're interested please see: http://www.aikiweb.com/forums/showth...ht=peace+kanji http://www.aikiweb.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19835 In the second thread Peter A Goldsbury Sensei wrote: "Of course, if you have the Japanese carved on a jo and/or bokken, you will have the best of both worlds: a pole or implement you can actually use, as well as pray with." Can't say that I've decided yet myself but I'm wondering what ya'll have inscribed on your practice weapons or do you prefer to not have an inscription? Also, do any of you listen to music during solitary practice? I know there are pros and cons to this and many people feel strongly that music is an impediment to their focus and performance while there are others who are extremely attached to their "Aiki Music". http://www.aikiweb.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19803 |
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