About this Product
These are handmade practice swords for Korean and Japanese martial arts crafted from sustainably sourced Bolivian Rosewood.
Not as thick as our full-size swords, and with a blade that isn't quite as broad, these swords are 41" in length, 3/4" thick, and have a 14" handle. (In the last picture, you can see a side-by-side comparison of the Full Size and Lightweight variants) I soak them in 100% pure tung oil for at least 24 hours, then they are put through a specially designed press to compress the wood fibers along the striking edge of the blade. This greatly reduces the likelihood of dents, splinters, and breakage by hardening the outer "shell" of the sword while maintaining a shock-absorbent core.
What makes our swords stand apart from others?
Why tung oil? Tung oil is a polymerizing oil, which means that if given time to cure properly, it develops a hard finish and will bond with the wood fibers on a molecular level. Tung oil is also a natural food-grade oil, meaning it won't leave any unsafe residue on the hands of the user. We soak the swords in oil for so long to allow the oil to penetrate deeply into the wood, filling any minuscule voids between the fibers, which further enhances the durability of the swords.
While not as shock resistant as hickory, which most of our swords are made from, rosewood is a very hard and dense wood that is absolutely beautiful to hold and work with. It is also endangered due to over-harvesting in the pre-and-industrial eras. Because of this, rosewood exports are incredibly limited and strictly controlled. Rest assured, our stock all comes from a Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) certified lumber mill, so any exotic species that we use are all sustainably sourced.
The Hickory Forge
Meet the Maker
Ken has enjoyed woodworking since childhood and formed The Hickory Forge LLC in August 2019 in Indiana. Having studied and taught traditional Korean martial arts for many years, he started the business to make high-quality wooden martial arts weapons. During the pandemic, he expanded into custom hardwood furniture. Today, with local access to an internationally celebrated lumber mill specializing in quartersawn hardwoods and many exotic species, he can offer a large range of heirloom quality products at very competitive prices.
Shop Policies
While we don't generally accept returns, if something is wrong with your order, we want to hear about it. Get in touch and we'll make it right!
