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Old 08-04-2008, 12:31 PM   #26
Lyle Bogin
Dojo: Shin Budo Kai
Location: Manhattan
Join Date: Feb 2002
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Re: Anyone recommend a jo?

My expensive kingfisher lasted about as long as the ten buck piece of crap I started out with. It was so beautiful that I kept the tip to admire as a piece of craftsmanship, and I sawed the handle off to make a bokken for son to play ninja with.

Once a pack of dojo mates and myself ordered some bokken and jo (man, they were gorgeous dark wood). Looking them over I realized that some had a grain the full length of the wood and others did not. I picked the one with the longest and most complete grain and it is hard as iron and has lasted for years. Most of the others have broken.

I think the problem is that you need to see a fine weapon in person to inspect it for flaws. Had I seen that kingfisher, I would have noticed that the wood grain had a curve to it that peaked right at the spot it broke.

In the future I will never by an expensive weapon without picking it in person. So my grade for kingfisher is C-...pretty but you have to get lucky to get one that won't break, therefore overpriced and inappropriate for mail order purchase.
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Old 08-04-2008, 04:45 PM   #27
jennifer paige smith
 
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Dojo: Confluence Aiki-Dojo / Santa Cruz Sword Club
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Re: Anyone recommend a jo?

Bujin still gets my vote for everyday reliable tools.

Jennifer Paige Smith
Confluence Aikido Systems
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Old 08-05-2008, 12:03 AM   #28
xuzen
 
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Re: Anyone recommend a jo?

I just get an email from Kingfisher it will take them 3 weeks to finish my product (I ordered the hand crafted version). Mine is haute couture, not pret-a-porter.

Coming from a McDonald generation... 3 weeks is hell long of a wait. I want my BigMac now.. now! Now!

Pray that my jo meets my expectation. Or else....

I will have to continue my search for my perfect jo, sigh!

Boon.

SHOMEN-ATE (TM), the solution to 90% of aikido and life's problems.
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Old 08-07-2008, 04:05 PM   #29
Marc Abrams
Dojo: Aikido Arts of Shin Budo Kai/ Bedford Hills, New York
Location: New York
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Re: Anyone recommend a jo?

I have had my kingfisher jo for at least 15 years now. Brad is a fine man and an excellent craftsman. I have a complete set of his stuff (bokken, kotachi, jo, bo, tanto). Will be getting his weapons rack and having my students order their hickory weapons from him.

Marc Abrams
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Old 08-21-2008, 12:09 AM   #30
xuzen
 
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Re: Anyone recommend a jo?

Just got mine from the mail 20 days from whence I put my order.

So far it has good weight, and is straight ... wish it could be heavier.

The Jo is not entirely smooth which is great because it will give me a firm and confidence grip.

Boon.

SHOMEN-ATE (TM), the solution to 90% of aikido and life's problems.
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Old 08-26-2008, 12:23 PM   #31
Ryokan
Join Date: Aug 2008
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Re: Anyone recommend a jo?

When I trained kobudo, we ordered our weapons from Crane Mountain. Really nice stuff.

http://www.crane-mountain.com/
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Old 09-07-2008, 12:16 PM   #32
Mark Uttech
Dojo: Yoshin-ji Aikido of Marshall
Location: Wisconsin
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Re: Anyone recommend a jo?

Onegaishimasu. I would like to point out something; that a 'heavy jo' is not always a good idea because it can cause calcium buildups on the wrists. I am speaking from experience here.

In gassho,

Mark

- Right combination works wonders -
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Old 09-08-2008, 09:28 AM   #33
Randy Sexton
Dojo: Aikido of Lake Keowee
Location: South Carolina
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Re: Anyone recommend a jo?

I bought a Kingfisher bokken last year (hand cut and top of the line hickory. Feels great and has stood up to many beatings over the year. Ask me if it was really worth the money in five years.
Bought a triple laminated Jo from Bujin and it is rock solid. My dojo whacks your jo pretty hard at times! It looks really good and was cut to my specifications to height (total cost less than $70)
Bought Shinai and Shoto and Tanto from Bujin as well.
Great stuff at good prices!
Hey, nice slogan. Think I can get Bujin owner Ikeda Sensei to use it?
Doc

"Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will"
Gandhi
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Old 09-09-2008, 01:52 AM   #34
xuzen
 
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Re: Anyone recommend a jo?

Quote:
Mark Uttech wrote: View Post
Onegaishimasu. I would like to point out something; that a 'heavy jo' is not always a good idea because it can cause calcium buildups on the wrists. I am speaking from experience here.

In gassho,

Mark
Mark,

What is calcium build up? What symptoms to look out for?

Boon.

SHOMEN-ATE (TM), the solution to 90% of aikido and life's problems.
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Old 09-09-2008, 11:34 AM   #35
Mark Uttech
Dojo: Yoshin-ji Aikido of Marshall
Location: Wisconsin
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Re: Anyone recommend a jo?

Quote:
Xu Wenfung wrote: View Post
Mark,

What is calcium build up? What symptoms to look out for?

Boon.
Onegaishimasu. A calcium buildup is a bony lump on the inside of the wrist. Mine went away after I quit swinging heavy bokken or jo. I trained with a straight crowbar for awhile and that may have aggravated the condition more than anything else. So now you know.

In gassho,

Mark

- Right combination works wonders -
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Old 09-17-2008, 10:21 PM   #36
xuzen
 
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Re: Anyone recommend a jo?

I was not entirely please with my first jo from Kingfisher, so I went to reorder another one, this time, I ordered their hand cut version top of the line variant (read: most expensive one)

After 3 weeks, the jo arrived.

Below is a description:

It is made from hickory, milky/cream/off white in colour.

According to its specs: it has a gravity specificity of not less than 0.97. Higher value correlates to hardness.

It is very smoothly hand cut and has a nice feel to it. It is not slippery at all even with sweaty palms.

It feels full and has excellent grip and very good for the shifting techniques used in SMR syllabus.

It has good weight and balance.

All in all, I am mighty please with this second jo.

Boon

SHOMEN-ATE (TM), the solution to 90% of aikido and life's problems.
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Old 09-21-2008, 05:38 AM   #37
Aviv
Dojo: Aikido in Fredericksburg
Location: Fredericksburg, VA
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Re: Anyone recommend a jo?

We focus on the fact that the jo is a training tool. We use hickory jo that are quite durable and cost only $25.

Peace, Aviv Goldsmith
Aikido in Fredericksburg
www.aikidoinfredericksburg.org
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Old 09-21-2008, 11:42 AM   #38
jennifer paige smith
 
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Re: Anyone recommend a jo?

Quote:
Aviv Goldsmith wrote: View Post
We focus on the fact that the jo is a training tool. We use hickory jo that are quite durable and cost only $25.
And where do you acquire this reasonably priced training tool?

Best,
Jen

Jennifer Paige Smith
Confluence Aikido Systems
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Old 09-23-2008, 08:45 PM   #39
Mark Uttech
Dojo: Yoshin-ji Aikido of Marshall
Location: Wisconsin
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Re: Anyone recommend a jo?

Onegaishimasu. At Farm/Fleet one can find a hickory barn broom handle for $10 or less. These barn broom handles are generally 72 inches in length. I remember when they used to be under 6 bucks!

In gassho,

Mark

- Right combination works wonders -
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Old 09-25-2008, 12:40 PM   #40
makuchg
 
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Re: Anyone recommend a jo?

My money always goes to Kiyota Company in Maryland. No web site, but they'll mail you a catalogue if you call: (410) 366-8275.

Very reputable products, very reputable service. Top notch quality and design.

Gregory Makuch
Wandering Ronin
Spring Hill, FL
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Old 10-08-2008, 05:28 PM   #41
Cynrod
Location: Las Vegas
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Re: Anyone recommend a jo?

I've been using the E-Bogu white oak Jo and I've been happy with it.

A friend of mine told me about the Sandata Crafts in the Philippines. I checked their website and I was impressed by the quality of their wooden weapons. The website is www.sandatacrafts.com and you can check all of their products there.

"For The Secret That The Warrior Seeks: You Must Know That The Basic Principles Lie In The Study Of The Spirit." - Morihei Ueshiba
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Old 10-09-2008, 02:19 AM   #42
CitoMaramba
 
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Dojo: Dangayan Singkaw Aikido Shinzui Group Philippines
Location: Plymouth, UK
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Re: Anyone recommend a jo?

Quote:
Rod Lansangan wrote: View Post
I've been using the E-Bogu white oak Jo and I've been happy with it.

A friend of mine told me about the Sandata Crafts in the Philippines. I checked their website and I was impressed by the quality of their wooden weapons. The website is www.sandatacrafts.com and you can check all of their products there.
Mahiwagang Sandata! Tangkilikin ang produktong Pilipino!
(Enchanted Weapons! Support Philippine products!)

Inocencio Maramba, MD, MSc
Dangayan Singkaw Aikido Shinzui
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Old 10-13-2008, 09:20 PM   #43
Jon Shickel
Dojo: Elkton Ki-Aikido
Join Date: Jan 2007
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Re: Anyone recommend a jo?

Quote:
Jennifer Smith wrote: View Post
They are beautiful, hardwood tools of the trade. I might suggest having them as demonstration weapons on top of a white oak variety of weapon for everyday use. They are so much harder than most dojo-mates tools that they often dent them.If y'all don't mind that.......they are beautiful and well balanced. Practically breath in your hands.
I've used ones from e-bogu ( http://www.e-bogu.com/Top_Quality_50...o-white-50.htm ) and was pretty happy with it. But then I got a "Standard", not "Hand Cut" Jo from Kingfisher .. but with a higher grade of wood. It's very, very nice. It's feels much more lively to me than the one from e-bogu.
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Old 10-16-2008, 07:26 AM   #44
James Edwards
Join Date: Jan 2008
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Re: Anyone recommend a jo?

I just got a 2.4cm diameter shiro kashi jo from nine circles.
http://www.ninecircles.co.uk/product...D=332&CatID=17

Very smooth, no splinters and not too light.
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Old 10-16-2008, 08:40 AM   #45
Demetrio Cereijo
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,248
Spain
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Re: Anyone recommend a jo?

I use big broom handles.... no problem with them.
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Old 10-21-2008, 04:00 PM   #46
Michael O'Brien
Dojo: Nashville Aikikai
Location: Nashville, Tn
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Re: Anyone recommend a jo?

Another vote for Bujin. I ordered a jo to size and matching bokken several years ago and they have both served me incredibly well.

My wife is finally starting to train with me after getting tired of being a dojo widow so for Christmas she will probably get her a set of her own as well.

For now she is using my old hand me downs since I have way too many bokken, jo, bo, and miscellaneous other weapons lying around the house.

Mike

Harmony does not mean that there are no conflicts,
for the dynamic spiral of existence embraces both extremes.
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