Greetings everyone, I live in Marina del Rey, California, and work in Santa Monica. Still somewhat considering myself as a newbie to Aikido, not yet having done any bokken (wooden training sword ) work, our instructor has finally now suggested to us that we may wish to start looking around to purchase a bokken, so that we can soon begin doing some bokken work. Our instructor commuting to our area from the other side of the city (Los Angeles), thus, he is not familiar with martial arts supply stores in my area. Thus, I am therefore looking around to purchase a bokken. I am thinking that I probably do not want to purchase a bokken online in order to otherwise avoid a, possibly substantial, shipping charge, as well as to avoid the wait time for delivery. Therefore, I am looking for an actual, physical store in my area, ... unless any of you folks strongly believe that I should in fact buy a bokken online. (?) Having done a search on Google as well as on Yelp, I am only seeing the nearest Martial Arts Supply store in, for instance, Koreatown (which is in downtown Los Angeles). Is there perhaps a place that I can purchase a bokken closer to my home or work place, i.e. the Marina del Rey / Santa Monica area? Or, perhaps even in the, somewhat close, West Los Angeles area? I have called various boxing/MMA supply stores in my area, there seem to be quite a few, and they have told me that I need to "find a Martial Arts store". When I ask them where one of these is located around here in my area, they claim that they do not know. Be that as it may. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much. The best to all, Greetings!
maybe you could ask your instructor about him buying you one wherever he got his and just pay him for it when he gives it to you?
Here: http://little-raven.com/RS/MA/Japanese.html Bite the bullet once and get something quality. These won't break the bank and they will hold up to hard contact.
This^^ My sensei can order weapons for me at a significant discount from what I would pay retailers. Definitely check with the instructor(s) first.
2 words. Amazon prime. I know it's online. I personally go out of my way to buy local. I also take advantage of free shipping as a prime member.
Fish of Doom, SWC Sifu Ben, matveimediaarts, AikiMac, and raaeoh, Thank you very much for the helpful information. The best to all, Greetings!
OK so you want a Great Boken? But are you willing to spend the money. About 6 years ago I was told to save money and purchase one of their top level boken, and Jo's from thsi company. Let me tell you this Boken is a beast. The top grade weapons are all handmade and are made from Appalachian Hickory and they are 99.99% dense. So basically the core of the tree is used. Have a look and let me know what you think.. This will be a once in a lifetime purchase.. Believe me. http://kingfisherwoodworks.com/
Yeah their custom line is all handmade, no sand paper whatsoever.. All rasps, files, and planes, great ridges on their weapons too..