Ah, finally finished... found a weathered gray dead cedar tree in virginia, dragged it to boston, finally hacked it open with a saw, chisel, and knife and file, and many hours later and after some research on sword details and lots of sanding, I have a glassy smooth red bokken absorbing the final coatings of tung oil. Now to see if there's a twin in the other half of the log--already cracked in a big way, would need some help--and fashion a display stand out of maple branches to stain black.
Anyone else make weapons to display or use? If not, what have you collected, and what do you like about them? I like the dramatic natural color and finish of my growing collection as well as their artistic arch.
Homemade Weapons
Moderator: Available
Homemade Weapons
--Ian
Ian,
With cedar, if the grain is straight and relatively free of knots, it would carve into a wonderful Greenland paddle, or harpoon launcher. It's a beautiful wood, finishes well, light and rot resistant.
You could make a bokken with it but I would not use it as cedar is not particular tough. It's best to hang it on the wall. For usage, better with hickory, oak, ash.
david
With cedar, if the grain is straight and relatively free of knots, it would carve into a wonderful Greenland paddle, or harpoon launcher. It's a beautiful wood, finishes well, light and rot resistant.
You could make a bokken with it but I would not use it as cedar is not particular tough. It's best to hang it on the wall. For usage, better with hickory, oak, ash.
david
-
Bill Glasheen
- Posts: 17299
- Joined: Thu Mar 11, 1999 6:01 am
- Location: Richmond, VA --- Louisville, KY
Ian
Of course you know there is quite a bit of respect and awe given to the Japanese sword master. To be a master sword maker is perhaps to be considered as valuable (perhaps even more valuable) a member of the martial military and tradition as the practitioner. The swordsman dies, but many good swords survive through centuries.
My first Uechi instructor, Rad Smith, was a sword collector. He started collecting them when he was my instructor, back when you could put an ad in a local paper and have dozens of them come from out of attics and closets. These days, all the good ones are gone and there's nothing left at a good price but the forgeries.
Rad met his wife, Rena, through sword collecting. Rad collected mostly the blade, and Rena the sword guard. Freudian analogies were made at the wedding reception.
Rena was interested because she is a professional custom jewelry artist, specializing in the use of precious metals. Many of the tsubas had gold inlays and other ornate work on them.
- Bill
Of course you know there is quite a bit of respect and awe given to the Japanese sword master. To be a master sword maker is perhaps to be considered as valuable (perhaps even more valuable) a member of the martial military and tradition as the practitioner. The swordsman dies, but many good swords survive through centuries.
My first Uechi instructor, Rad Smith, was a sword collector. He started collecting them when he was my instructor, back when you could put an ad in a local paper and have dozens of them come from out of attics and closets. These days, all the good ones are gone and there's nothing left at a good price but the forgeries.
Rad met his wife, Rena, through sword collecting. Rad collected mostly the blade, and Rena the sword guard. Freudian analogies were made at the wedding reception.
Rena was interested because she is a professional custom jewelry artist, specializing in the use of precious metals. Many of the tsubas had gold inlays and other ornate work on them.- Bill
Hmmm, swords they're not and master I'm not, but the swords sure are impressive as well. I like my cedar... some even glows like tiger's eye when it's appropriately polished. Would also use oak, but the oak I have is in the form of irregular branches. I think come spring I'll try to make friends with some groundskeepers at the Arnold arboretum which is only a few blocks away, and see what I can make when I've got more resources.
--Ian
The Arboretum is a lovely place - never thought of it a a source for weapons though.IJ wrote:I think come spring I'll try to make friends with some groundskeepers at the Arnold arboretum which is only a few blocks away, and see what I can make when I've got more resources.
"Dying ain't much of a living boy." J. Wales
IJ wrote:Hmmm, swords they're not and master I'm not, but the swords sure are impressive as well. I like my cedar... some even glows like tiger's eye when it's appropriately polished. Would also use oak, but the oak I have is in the form of irregular branches. I think come spring I'll try to make friends with some groundskeepers at the Arnold arboretum which is only a few blocks away, and see what I can make when I've got more resources.
Ian,
Now that you're living in Bahston...
I'm an hour away give or take a bit... AND I'm sitting in the middle of 74 acres of woods. Pine to Hemlock to Birch to Maple to Oak... and I'm sure there's others. Need some wood for carving? Come take your pick! I only have one request... I'd like the opportunity to purchase or trade for some of your carved artwork to display in my home. Let me know if you're interested...
-
jorvik
When I first saw this post I thought that it was about makeshift weapons that people make for themselves. I can remember people telling me to get an egg "blow"it i.e. get the insides out, fill it with pepper and then seal it with wax..you then have something that can be concealed innocently on your person...if somebody attacks you ....you get it in your hand, break it by clenching your fist...then throw it in their face and run away. I've also heard of a lemon squeezy bottle being carried to squeeze lemon juice in an attackers eyes before fleeing...you can also throw coins in their face before running....chances are they'll look for the coins rather than follow.
Buuuut as to sword I have a friend who was in the TO-Ken society in England,
he is a real "scouser" and you would never guess how much he knows about old Japenese swords.........by a strange chance he knew my Aikido Sensei ( who now resides permenantly in Japan)...who was a sword collector.
He used to translate the writting on the tang written in old Japanese ( s'pose it's a bit like reading "middle English"...clever stuff)......used to have all sorts of interesting stuff on the blade
Like" made in the year of Sho Ho, fine spring morning, tested on 5 prisoners....happy day.".....then maybe the makers name.
One of the nicest swords that he had was just a blade housed in a handle and scabbard made in what looked like pine. Seems when you bought a sword.........you just purchased the blade, the fittings were bought seperately, sometimes they would have to get them fitted up again for war.
The Tsubas are beautiful pieces of art in their own right, and are seperately collectible....I have seen some intricate and breathe taking scenes on a tsuba......some of the merchants swords have a place for chopsticks and a small knife ......I think that they are called an Akuchi
Hope I haven't prattled on too much......just reminiscing
Buuuut as to sword I have a friend who was in the TO-Ken society in England,
he is a real "scouser" and you would never guess how much he knows about old Japenese swords.........by a strange chance he knew my Aikido Sensei ( who now resides permenantly in Japan)...who was a sword collector.
He used to translate the writting on the tang written in old Japanese ( s'pose it's a bit like reading "middle English"...clever stuff)......used to have all sorts of interesting stuff on the blade
Like" made in the year of Sho Ho, fine spring morning, tested on 5 prisoners....happy day.".....then maybe the makers name.
One of the nicest swords that he had was just a blade housed in a handle and scabbard made in what looked like pine. Seems when you bought a sword.........you just purchased the blade, the fittings were bought seperately, sometimes they would have to get them fitted up again for war.
The Tsubas are beautiful pieces of art in their own right, and are seperately collectible....I have seen some intricate and breathe taking scenes on a tsuba......some of the merchants swords have a place for chopsticks and a small knife ......I think that they are called an Akuchi
Hope I haven't prattled on too much......just reminiscing
Ian,
Go over to the Peter Hills side of the Arboretum. Right off the road, there is a gated area that the staff deposit blown down/cut off limbs. From inside of the Peter Hills area, you can just walk over there and take a look. The other place for urban wood scavenging is in the "wild" part of Franklin Park, across the road from the golf course, towards Forest Hill. A hard winter, you'll find down trees and limbs.
Hey, Panther, you see any recently downed trees that are fairly straight, let me know. I am in the process of building a boat (Greenland kayak). Green lumber is best. But, I would have to go up maine to get my chainsaw first.
david
Go over to the Peter Hills side of the Arboretum. Right off the road, there is a gated area that the staff deposit blown down/cut off limbs. From inside of the Peter Hills area, you can just walk over there and take a look. The other place for urban wood scavenging is in the "wild" part of Franklin Park, across the road from the golf course, towards Forest Hill. A hard winter, you'll find down trees and limbs.
Hey, Panther, you see any recently downed trees that are fairly straight, let me know. I am in the process of building a boat (Greenland kayak). Green lumber is best. But, I would have to go up maine to get my chainsaw first.
david
No... but you may want to carry one if you walk through early in the morning or late at night...The Arboretum is a lovely place - never thought of it a a source for weapons though.
The newly opened side by Forest Hill Station used be my favorite place to walk the dog early in the mornings, before they cleaned it up and connected to the main part of the Arboretum. Back then, being relatively abandoned, it attracted homeless and druggies who slept in the wooded areas. Got a little funky in there sometimes. But, it hasn't been as bad in recent years and I haven't been there since they added on the groomed walkway to the Stony Brook section of the Arborteum. david
Homemade Weapons
Hey,
Saw this topic. very interesting!
Post a photo when you finish, Ian. I would like to see the finished product.
Having had friend who sculpted in woods, there were certain criteria in doing so that probably relate to what you are doing. One thing they emphasized was that the wood had to age a while before carving it (it seems that it was up 6) to prevent later cracking. For something like a walking stick, I was told you should seal the ends with vaseline to prevent cracking all the way down the stick of wood. This allows the moisture needs to seep out the side grains. To age this, put it in a brown paper bag filled with either sawdust or kitty litter for 2-3 months.
My friend used softer woods but I am sure you would want to use harder woods, hickory (axe handles are made of this), maple, or oak to prevent splintering and cracking when in heavy contact with other woods.
Also, strictly for aesthetic purposes or to display, some woods have the most wonderful fragrance when carving and beautiful grain. Some fragrant woods include cedar, sassafras, beechwood, S.Am. mahogany, alderwood. The sassafras and alderwood are softer woods, however.
Also, I have woven baskets and I would often seal them with linseed oil. I prefer tongue oil on wood though. If using linseed oil, make sure it is boiled because it dries in a short period of time as opposed to the raw linseed oil.
I found a wonderful site on how to make home made weapons. Great site!Check out the following (he even includes a recipe for Tiger Balm along with the Bokken and other weapons).
http://www.aikidofaq.com/bilder/header7.gif
Good luck with your new hobby.
Vicki
Saw this topic. very interesting!
Post a photo when you finish, Ian. I would like to see the finished product.
Having had friend who sculpted in woods, there were certain criteria in doing so that probably relate to what you are doing. One thing they emphasized was that the wood had to age a while before carving it (it seems that it was up 6) to prevent later cracking. For something like a walking stick, I was told you should seal the ends with vaseline to prevent cracking all the way down the stick of wood. This allows the moisture needs to seep out the side grains. To age this, put it in a brown paper bag filled with either sawdust or kitty litter for 2-3 months.
My friend used softer woods but I am sure you would want to use harder woods, hickory (axe handles are made of this), maple, or oak to prevent splintering and cracking when in heavy contact with other woods.
Also, strictly for aesthetic purposes or to display, some woods have the most wonderful fragrance when carving and beautiful grain. Some fragrant woods include cedar, sassafras, beechwood, S.Am. mahogany, alderwood. The sassafras and alderwood are softer woods, however.
Also, I have woven baskets and I would often seal them with linseed oil. I prefer tongue oil on wood though. If using linseed oil, make sure it is boiled because it dries in a short period of time as opposed to the raw linseed oil.
I found a wonderful site on how to make home made weapons. Great site!Check out the following (he even includes a recipe for Tiger Balm along with the Bokken and other weapons).
http://www.aikidofaq.com/bilder/header7.gif
Good luck with your new hobby.
Vicki
[quote="david]
No... but you may want to carry one if you walk through early in the morning or late at night... [/quote]
It's not exactly in my neighborhood ( though my girlfriend lives in that area) so I've only been a couple of time - but I'll remember your advice.
No... but you may want to carry one if you walk through early in the morning or late at night...
[/quote]It's not exactly in my neighborhood ( though my girlfriend lives in that area) so I've only been a couple of time - but I'll remember your advice.
"Dying ain't much of a living boy." J. Wales
-
Bill Glasheen
- Posts: 17299
- Joined: Thu Mar 11, 1999 6:01 am
- Location: Richmond, VA --- Louisville, KY
Ian
Found some nice pictures about the plant you used. Eastern redcedar (I have lots of them in the woods in my back yard) is Juniperus Virginiana.
This interesting tidbit explains the "cedar chest" ...
So it looks like your work will be safe from moths...
- Bill
Found some nice pictures about the plant you used. Eastern redcedar (I have lots of them in the woods in my back yard) is Juniperus Virginiana.
This interesting tidbit explains the "cedar chest" ...
- Juniperus virginianaIts wood contains an oil that deters moths and is often used to line chests. The wood has also been used for making wooden pencils.
So it looks like your work will be safe from moths...
- Bill
I'll definitely try out those sites when I get the chance--Panther's stock is going to have to wait till I'm not on an inpatient block and have more days off (but thanks for offering!). Peeling bark from trees cut in spring is soooo much easier because the sap is up and it comes off in strips instead of bits. Right now In my place I've got a penguin, elephant, some plantstands, a couch, a loveseat, a bench, several chairs, shelves and two hollow tree trunk chests of my creation. When you start with irregular pieces and don't aim for 90 degree angles, everyone thinks your errors are intentional Bill, you've seen the first two bokken (if bokken is a wooden katan what's the wooden wakazashi called??) in Richmond. Seasoning is key depending on the typ of work you're doing; the shelves weren't supposed to be fancy and the legs were quite wet when they were done, but I aged the cedar 2 years (not all on purpose). The rec from a rustic furniture guide I have is a year per inch diameter. Re: the new bokken, lemme see if I can figure out this durn digital cam and post her.
Bill, you've seen the first two bokken (if bokken is a wooden katan what's the wooden wakazashi called??) in Richmond. Seasoning is key depending on the typ of work you're doing; the shelves weren't supposed to be fancy and the legs were quite wet when they were done, but I aged the cedar 2 years (not all on purpose). The rec from a rustic furniture guide I have is a year per inch diameter. Re: the new bokken, lemme see if I can figure out this durn digital cam and post her.--Ian
Weapons, handmade
I believe that last address I gave was wrong. 
This is the correct one:
http://www.aikidofaq.com/making/bokken.html
Vicki
This is the correct one:http://www.aikidofaq.com/making/bokken.html
Vicki
Interesting site, thanks Vicky... I don't have anywhere near the tools there and was sawing the board i used out of a log... there are a bunch of knots in it which makes for interesting chiseling (chisel away from a knot and the wood will split unpredictably, so chisel towards, but gets tricky in between two closely spaced knots). Mine's been for display only anyways (bokken fight? pass!) so I like the interesting grain you get with more knots, and the finish is more important than the strength. Interesting how you're supposed to delicately wrap them and support them along their length even when you're cracking them against other bokkens. Someday I think I'll get some tonfa dimensions and make a pair of them out of something more user friendly...
--Ian
