I hadn't taken Bokken seriously on an emotional level. The "baseball bat" equivalent makes stealth missions preferring wooden bokken and breaking bones more than reality. Could seriously get hurt, even in play. I don't want that. Makes me rethink again. Definitely ups the risks and awareness level of care. No recklessness here.
Besides, I like bamboo. Light, flexible, strong. Could you recommend an online retailer for Shinai? That is, if you already have some in mind. I can look some up of course, but I'm glad you gave the advice oak bokken and a name to the bamboo sword.
Btw: How did you break so many bokken?
Edit to add: Hmm. There's one article on Shinai Maintenence from Purdue's kendo club that states Properly maintained, a bamboo shinai can last as long as a year. Hmm. That seems to suggest disassembly for oil baths, and regular use. Here also is another page on maintenence quoting Poorly maintained shinai can be dangerous - bamboo shinai must be checked and sanded regularly to avoid splinters, and oiled or waxed to help prevent drying out and subsequent breakage. Arrrrrgh! Hmm. I've worked with some shinai before, and they seemed solid (nice thwack too) without splintering, but it makes me wonder. I haven't had to maintain swords myself, and the commitment *seems* a bit demandingly hardcore. Is this the case? The possibility of splintering is there, though I haven't seen it myself with careful use of shinai so far.
Makes me question value and staying power. Argh. Well there's the chance the practice sword might outlast the girlfriend... Hmm. Must think more! Need opinions!
Besides, I like bamboo. Light, flexible, strong. Could you recommend an online retailer for Shinai? That is, if you already have some in mind. I can look some up of course, but I'm glad you gave the advice oak bokken and a name to the bamboo sword.
Btw: How did you break so many bokken?
Edit to add: Hmm. There's one article on Shinai Maintenence from Purdue's kendo club that states Properly maintained, a bamboo shinai can last as long as a year. Hmm. That seems to suggest disassembly for oil baths, and regular use. Here also is another page on maintenence quoting Poorly maintained shinai can be dangerous - bamboo shinai must be checked and sanded regularly to avoid splinters, and oiled or waxed to help prevent drying out and subsequent breakage. Arrrrrgh! Hmm. I've worked with some shinai before, and they seemed solid (nice thwack too) without splintering, but it makes me wonder. I haven't had to maintain swords myself, and the commitment *seems* a bit demandingly hardcore. Is this the case? The possibility of splintering is there, though I haven't seen it myself with careful use of shinai so far.
Makes me question value and staying power. Argh. Well there's the chance the practice sword might outlast the girlfriend... Hmm. Must think more! Need opinions!