Re: custom tonfa

On Tue, 28 Feb 2006 10:51:24 -0700, "Chas" <chasclements@xxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:


Walnut is a bad idea- it'll chip really easily, and splinters otherwise.

Really? Never heard that. Walnut is very heavy so would be very
stout. I know it's very hard, but never heard it splinters. Never
made weapons out of it. Know it makes a hell of a salad bowl
though.;)

Ash is good, but you damned near have to work it with machinery- it's hard
as Koli Bey's head. Hickory the same.

Hickory or ash would be my first choices.

Oak is good- seal the grain, feather it, keep it waxed.

Oak is hard as all getout, but I thought it was prone to splitting.
What Kirk calls grain "runs out". I would think of all the hardwoods
oak would be most prone to splintering, no? 2-3 coats of varnish would
help seal up the grain and reduce cracking though.

Maple is good- it checks, but it doesn't break off; very hard.

Maple would be another first or second choice. Would be a beautiful
piece when stained.

Something like Poplar might be good- they don't need to be heavy, just
stout.

Too soft?

Hal

Mine are some kind of Pacific hardwood- slightly colored like pecan, but I
dyed them dark for my own preferences.

What about a pin through the stock to hold the handle in place? I have no
access to a lathe (as far as I know): how would I go about shaping the
handles?

Use a wedged mortise/tenon to attach.
Shape the handles with that sur-form you're so proud of <g>
You could even do it by attaching the knob to the end of the grip- rather
than carving it in. Or us something like heavy leather disks, or metal ones.
But no need to put ten or twelve hours into them if you don't like doing the
work.

Chas


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