Making weapons

[aurik]

When I was at my local hardwood dealer, I found a really nice piece of 6.5'x8" 2" thick purpleheart. Should be enough to make about 5 bo staves out of and (possibly) some other weapons too. I haven't made anything yet, but I did find a couple of decent YouTube videos and it doesn't look too hard if you've got the right tools. I'll probably practice on a piece of red oak first though.

[Chunmonchek]

Aurik, please let us know how your bo turn out. In my experience, red oak bo sourced from Shureido were the most durable for heavy contact. The Purple heart bo that we had were nicely weighted and balanced, but did not hold up to vigorous contact. Historically, our Kai/Eiku bo have been made out of red oak (Shureido) or maple. Recently I obtained a Kai made out of Granadillo and love it so far.

[sensei8]

Aurik, please let us know how your bo turn out. In my experience, red oak bo sourced from Shureido were the most durable for heavy contact. The Purple heart bo that we had were nicely weighted and balanced, but did not hold up to vigorous contact. Historically, our Kai/Eiku bo have been made out of red oak (Shureido) or maple. Recently I obtained a Kai made out of Granadillo and love it so far.

Have you considered Cocobolo Hardwood?? It can withstand quite a lot, and it's wood color, orange or red tones, are attractive to the eye. I've had all of my wood weapons made with Cocobolo Hardwood a very long time ago, and I still use them.

[Bulltahr]

I have recently ripped and stacked a japanese maple trunk with good heart wood center once it's dried enough sometime next year I will make a few sets of Nunchaku out of it. I have a good friend who is a carpenter and has a great workshop and advice to get me going. I'll post pics etc when it's done. Wanted to make a set of sai out of damascus, but near impossible, so am considering colour case hardened instead.

[MatsuShinshii]

When I was at my local hardwood dealer, I found a really nice piece of 6.5'x8" 2" thick purpleheart. Should be enough to make about 5 bo staves out of and (possibly) some other weapons too. I haven't made anything yet, but I did find a couple of decent YouTube videos and it doesn't look too hard if you've got the right tools. I'll probably practice on a piece of red oak first though.

Lathe, extensions, lathe chisels and a steady hand. You're on your way.

[Chunmonchek]

Aurik, please let us know how your bo turn out. In my experience, red oak bo sourced from Shureido were the most durable for heavy contact. The Purple heart bo that we had were nicely weighted and balanced, but did not hold up to vigorous contact. Historically, our Kai/Eiku bo have been made out of red oak (Shureido) or maple. Recently I obtained a Kai made out of Granadillo and love it so far.

Have you considered Cocobolo Hardwood?? It can withstand quite a lot, and it's wood color, orange or red tones, are attractive to the eye. I've had all of my wood weapons made with Cocobolo Hardwood a very long time ago, and I still use them.

Cocobolo is great wood also. I've a few sets of cocobolo nunchaku

[aurik]

Aurik, please let us know how your bo turn out. In my experience, red oak bo sourced from Shureido were the most durable for heavy contact. The Purple heart bo that we had were nicely weighted and balanced, but did not hold up to vigorous contact. Historically, our Kai/Eiku bo have been made out of red oak (Shureido) or maple. Recently I obtained a Kai made out of Granadillo and love it so far.

Have you considered Cocobolo Hardwood?? It can withstand quite a lot, and it's wood color, orange or red tones, are attractive to the eye. I've had all of my wood weapons made with Cocobolo Hardwood a very long time ago, and I still use them.

I have a set of bagpipes made out of cocobolo and love them, but the hardwood dealers I talked to had only had 4/4 cocobolo, which would make a very narrow bo (too small for my ham-fists at least).

[MatsuShinshii]

Aurik, please let us know how your bo turn out. In my experience, red oak bo sourced from Shureido were the most durable for heavy contact. The Purple heart bo that we had were nicely weighted and balanced, but did not hold up to vigorous contact. Historically, our Kai/Eiku bo have been made out of red oak (Shureido) or maple. Recently I obtained a Kai made out of Granadillo and love it so far.

Have you considered Cocobolo Hardwood?? It can withstand quite a lot, and it's wood color, orange or red tones, are attractive to the eye. I've had all of my wood weapons made with Cocobolo Hardwood a very long time ago, and I still use them.

Cocobolo is great wood also. I've a few sets of cocobolo nunchaku

Just a word of caution if you use Cocobolo or any exotics to make your weapons... check the MSD sheets. Woods like Cocobolo have a natural insecticide in it's oils and this can cause mild to severe reactions. Make sure you're wearing a good respirator and clothing before turning, cutting or sanding.

I have used this wood quite a bit and have a very adverse reaction to it. I had to install an exhaust and ventilation and wear the proper protective equipment or I get a rash at the least and boils at the worst. Nasty stuff if you're allergic. This is not the only exotic wood that contains bad stuff. just make sure to read up on it before working with it. You'll be thankful you did.

[sensei8]

Aurik, please let us know how your bo turn out. In my experience, red oak bo sourced from Shureido were the most durable for heavy contact. The Purple heart bo that we had were nicely weighted and balanced, but did not hold up to vigorous contact. Historically, our Kai/Eiku bo have been made out of red oak (Shureido) or maple. Recently I obtained a Kai made out of Granadillo and love it so far.

Have you considered Cocobolo Hardwood?? It can withstand quite a lot, and it's wood color, orange or red tones, are attractive to the eye. I've had all of my wood weapons made with Cocobolo Hardwood a very long time ago, and I still use them.

Cocobolo is great wood also. I've a few sets of cocobolo nunchaku

Just a word of caution if you use Cocobolo or any exotics to make your weapons... check the MSD sheets. Woods like Cocobolo have a natural insecticide in it's oils and this can cause mild to severe reactions. Make sure you're wearing a good respirator and clothing before turning, cutting or sanding.

I have used this wood quite a bit and have a very adverse reaction to it. I had to install an exhaust and ventilation and wear the proper protective equipment or I get a rash at the least and boils at the worst. Nasty stuff if you're allergic. This is not the only exotic wood that contains bad stuff. just make sure to read up on it before working with it. You'll be thankful you did.

Solid post!!

[singularity6]

The woods that are commonly used for particular applications are used for a variety of reasons.

1) Availability

2) The wood has characteristics that make it particularly useful in that application