Description
Practice Sword Inspired by European Hand-and-a-Half Designs
Most wooden practice swords you see take after the slender, curved katana of the East, but this one draws from the sturdier lines of a European hand-and-a-half sword. The “blade” is carved from solid wood with a rounded profile, built to withstand the repeated strikes of training. Its handle features deep grooves, much like the grips found on WWII dive knives, designed to help keep your hold firm even when your palms sweat. At the junction where blade meets handle, a metal reinforcing ring protects the wood from splitting or chipping,a spot that often bears the brunt of impact during drills. The simplicity of this piece invites you to make it your own: add a crossguard, wrap the grip with leather, or carve in your own symbols and designs, just as a blacksmith or armorer would personalize a blade for its wielder.
Most wooden practice swords you see take after the slender, curved katana of the East, but this one draws from the sturdier lines of a European hand-and-a-half sword. The “blade” is carved from solid wood with a rounded profile, built to withstand the repeated strikes of training. Its handle features deep grooves, much like the grips found on WWII dive knives, designed to help keep your hold firm even when your palms sweat. At the junction where blade meets handle, a metal reinforcing ring protects the wood from splitting or chipping,a spot that often bears the brunt of impact during drills. The simplicity of this piece invites you to make it your own: add a crossguard, wrap the grip with leather, or carve in your own symbols and designs, just as a blacksmith or armorer would personalize a blade for its wielder.
Fun fact: While bokkens are traditionally associated with Japanese martial arts, wooden swords known as “wasters” have been used in Western martial traditions for centuries, letting swordsmen practice complex techniques safely without the risk of sharp edges.
