Hone your skills with a bokken

Behind every master swordsman is sure to be years of practicing the craft. Bokkens are a great way to minimize injury while learning the ways of the sword. These practice swords get their names from the Japanese translation of the words “bok(u)” meaning wood and “ken” meaning sword.

Throughout history, bokkens have been used to train warriors, like the samurai. While it's known that mock weapons have been used for ages, the bokken in its modern form emerged during the Muromachi Period in Japanese history, which spanned 1336-1600. They are traditionally composed of hardwood while practice swords of flexible, soft wood are known as shinai.

It’s certainly apparent that using a bokken would minimize injury when compared to a blade, but it should be noted that a bokken can certainly deal some damage all on its own. Training with a bokken should be done with care to avoid injury.

There are other reasons outside of general safety to opt for a bokken. Katanas can be costly to maintain, and their blades can become nicked or dulled when used excessively for training. With bokkens, there’s no need for concern as they are specifically crafted to handle the abuse and are available for a fraction of the cost.

Traditionally, bokkens are thought of as wooden katanas, but they can also be shaped like a variety of other swords, allowing for all types of practice.

Wooden Options

The wooden bokken is a traditional pick, mimicking the choices made by the samurai centuries ago. Not to mention they have a beauty all their own with their solid construction. Here are a couple of wooden bokken options available from BudK!

Natural Wooden Daito Bokken Katana Sword

If you’re in the market for your own bokken at an unbelievable price, check out the Wooden Daito Katana. Measuring 40” overall, you get the feel of a real katana without worrying about the blade. It’s constructed of natural hardwood with the same nylon cord wrapped handle that a traditional katana would have. It even features a two-piece hand guard for your protection.

Black Hardwood Daito Sword

Maybe a darker wood is more your style? The Black Hardwood Daito Sword may be just the one for you. This trainer has a solid black wooden construction and measures 40” overall. This piece is also buy one, get one free, so why not grab a second for you sparring partner?

Polypropylene Options

If you’ve been considering a practice sword but want to know what all the options outside of wood are, check out these great Honshu pieces on BudK, made of incredibly tough polypropylene.

Honshu Practice Katana

Get the look and feel of a real katana without the sharp edges with the Honshu Practice Katana. It is crafted of one solid piece of the highest grade polypropylene and is weighted to mimic a traditional katana. The polypropylene construction means that this practice katana is virtually indestructible and is sure to stand the test of time, no matter how much you use it.

Honshu Practice Broadsword

A truly unique find is the Honshu Practice Broadsword. Measuring a massive 43 1/2", this sword is made from the highest grade of polypropylene, making it virtually indestructible. Its length, size, weight, and feel all mimic a real broadsword and the textured handle allows for a secure grip.