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| F.A.Q.s |
| Q: Will you make me a custom Bokken to my Specifacations? A: No. I carve in a particular aesthetic. If you like what I do, cool, get one. If not, there are plenty of cutters out there who will attempt to make what you are looking for. I would encourage you to carve your own. It is my experiance that No Wooden Training Weapon Becomes an Old Freind like One you Carve with Your Own Hand. |
| Q: Do you actually practice a martial art? A: Yes, i am the Director of Circle of Harmony Aikido in Manchester, NH. CLICK HERE to check out our site |
| Q: How long have you been Carving Bokken? A: I carved my first weapon in 1986, but didnt really get serious about it till about 1995. |
| Q: Why is it you only make bokken from Hickory? A: As it turns out, I have made bokken from many types of wood. But, at this point Hickory is where I'm at. It is, simply, the best wood in the world to make wooden weapons from. CLICK HERE to see my blog with more details about that. |
| Q: Will you make me a bokken? A: Yes. Pic one from the front page. It will take about a year and will cost about $250. I'm sorry so long but there have been several orders and it will take a while to catch up. A $50 non refunable deposit will be required to secure a timeslot. In an attempt to make sure you like what I'm making for you I will be happy to send pics while the project is in progress . If you don't like it, thats OK. It just means someone elece, who is happy with that one, won't have to wait so long for theirs. |
| Q: Can't I atleast get it the lenght I want? A: No Problem. Please understand, it is absolutly my intention to make everyone who commisions me to carve them a weapon happy. But it is my experiance that hapiness in this business is attained through communication. I feel it is important to let the client know up front what they can expect. I carve them all 48 inches long to start. After you order the style Bokken you like I will send you the first Pics and will ask you about details you prefer. . If you like you can be involved in each and every step. From picking the piece of wood to choosing what end to trim. This will make the project longer, however, if individuals like to be involved in the process I do not discourage it. |
| Q: If I want to carve my own where can I get the wood? A: I sell blanks made of high Impact grade Hickory selected for proper grain and quality and prepared especially as bokken blanks. Simular stock is what I used to demonstrate the carving of weapons on the YouTube videos. CLICK HERE to check them out. For more info, Email me for current pricing and availability. |
| Q: Is that your own "Style" of Aikido? A: No. Circle of Harmony is simply the name of the school. It is also the name of my original Aikido teachers, Michael Pabst, school in Ohio. I use it with his permission. I practice a very traditional Aikido and am a member of the Aikido Association of America. In addition, I study with John Dori sensei at Methuen Aikido in Methuen, Ma. |
| Q: Isn't that Japanese white oak the best wood? A: In a word, No. Japanese white oak (Shiro Kashi) is the best that the Japanese have had access to for a long time, true. But the fact is, Impact grade Hickory is the superior material for this applicaton. It is simply our good luck in the Northeastern United States that it grows here. |
| Have more Questions or want to order Items? CLICK HERE TO EMAIL ME. Please be patient, I get many emails every day, so I may be delayed in getting back to you for a few days. |