Re: custom tonfa


hal@xxxxxxxxxx wrote:
On Tue, 28 Feb 2006 10:24:19 -0500, "Jerry B. Altzman"
<jbaltz@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Inspired by Lauren Radner's query:

Does anyone know of a good, reputable place to get good, hard,
custom-made tonfa at a reasonable (<$150) price?

The standard tonfa you get in MA supply stores just plain suck. They're
far too light (they feel like you're spinning balsa wood) and don't feel
like they'd hold up to a good >whack<.

I have a nice pair I got from Honda Martial Arts in NYC, but they
developed a crack in them, and Honda (I've been told; I haven't been
there in a long while) doesn't carry them any more.

Why don't you make some? It would be extremely easy. Find a hardwood
retailer for best selection or any home improvement center carries
hardwood stock. You can find dowel big enough to make the handles,
probably need to start with square stock to make the body. A few
woodworking tools, a draw knife would be nice, or look for Shureform
files, some sand paper and you're ready to go. Probably want to drill
press your handle holes so they are squared to the body (drill first
while stock is square), be careful about sizing your hole, carpenters
glue, tap tap tap, do lots of sanding, some Tung oil. You could find
some awesome woods to make them with, and make them any size you want.
Easy, lots of fun. Kind of a Zen like experience working the wood for
your own weapons.

I agree with everything Hal said above...

[looks for other signs of the apocolypse]

.