Hanbo

L5
Appalachian Hickory Quality Grade Level 5

Grade L5 wood has color variations. Sometimes all white, sometimes all red and sometimes a combination of the two; the color has no bearing on its mechanical properties and shown here only to demonstrate natural variations, any of which may be present in the weapon. Any marks on L5 wood add to the aesthetic appeal of the weapon. Level 5 is strong and serviceable but not excessively heavy. It would be a good choice for martial artists seeking speed and maneuverability in paired practice.

L7hc
Appalachian Hickory Quality Grade Level 7 Hand Cut

Grade L7hc is selected from the most premium L7 Appalachian hickory (see the L7 grade pictures above) but the L7hc category weapons are not sanded but instead finished with traditional methods. We often think of fine woodwork as being smooth sanded, and indeed, accurately sanded work is beautiful to the eye and hand -the finest woodwork however, including Japanese wooden weapons prior to the early 1900s ,were finished with very sharp hand tools, not sandpaper. To produce the L7hc finish we first shape and rasp the weapon to exacting proportions from the highest L7 wood. Then, exceedingly thin shavings are cut from the surface with razor sharp spokeshaves, drawknives and planes to create a surface that is both very smooth but made up of multiple tiny facets of cleanly severed facets. The unique tactile feel of L7hc cannot be superceded in it's feeling of torsional grip and direct connection to the weapon. Moreover, cleanly cut wood pores absorb finish oil and provide an exceptional finish. Weapons of Hand Cut grade Level 7 would be a good choice as a gift for a senior practitioner seeking the best quality with an authentic cut finish.

L7hc bokken hilt (kashira)

L7hc bokken transition

L7hc sword style point

L7hc chisel style point

L7hc blunt style point

Kanji are ideographs and pictographs used in written Japanese. On Kingfisher Swords, Staffs, Hiking Sticks and katana kake (sword stands), inscriptions are oriented vertically and read top to bottom. The characters are burned into the wood by hand with a calligraphy stylus. The bokken, shown above with and without tsuba, is inscribed with the word "randori", which is made up two kanji. The first, ran, means chaos. The second, dori, means to seize or capture. Randori refers to the martial practice of freeform attack and defense practice. On the Jo staff to the right, is the kanji "masagatsu agatsu"which means - true victory is self victory. The Kingfisher kanji archive is an unusual window into esoteric kanji and uncommon phrases that could be inscribed into your wooden weapon or hiking stick. They are compiled from arcane classical sources that relate to the Japanese martial arts, natural phenomena and Zen thought.

Kanji Inscription Pricing

• Single character insriptions: $14
• 2 character inscriptions: $20
• 3 character inscriptions $26
• 4 and 5 character inscriptions: $32

To choose your Kanji Inscription, close this window and hit the green button "See Inscriptions & Choose".