Weapon Maker and Wood Sourcing.

[Revario]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone knows any great Kobudo weapon maker in Australia or one who can source wood from Australia. Most specifically looking for some Gigdee tree Tonfa. Ironbark and Bulletwood are also options I am looking in to. 

[Wastelander]

Unfortunately, kobudo weapon makers are hard to come by, in general, and many only make some of the weapons, not all of them, so it is going to depend on exactly what weapon you're looking for. It will probably be easier to find a bo maker than a sai maker, for example.

[Revario]

In all honesty I am looking for a Tonfa maker. I am also looking for someone who can source and works with Australian woods. I am seeking Gigdee or Ironbark. I also know it will be hard to find and expensive to make. 

[aurik]

Honestly if you've got a lathe, making Tonfa shouldn't be that hard to do.  It might take you a few tries to get it right, but if you practice on something fairly inexpensive like oak, it wouldn't be too difficult.  The important thing is to get your dimensions right AND to make each piece identical.

Sourcing the gigdee or ironbark will be extremely difficult however.  I've looked at several sites I use to source my hardwoods and they don't even carry either of those.  Have you considered something like desert ironwood?  It's hard, dense, and fairly easy to source.  Just make sure you wear a respirator when you work with it.