Kingfisher WoodWorks LLC: Hand Cut Kashima

Kashima wooden long swords are straight, relatively heavy and have little taper. Overall length 41 1/2" with a tsuka length of 10 1/2". The profile is generally stout with a thick oval tsuka (hilt) and a feeling of heavy balance which, while noticeably different from most other wooden swords, lends itself well to the heavy inertial style of the Kashima Ryu (school). A tsuba (hand guard) is included since it is always used in traditional Kashima swordwork. These weapons are made entirely without the use of sandpaper. They are finished with extremely sharp hand tools leaving many little smooth facets that create its complex shape. Because the techniques of its manufacture are traditional and aspects of its shape and proportion are correct historically, it has the superior look and feel of the archaic bokken of feudal times. For information on how these weapons are made, see About Kingfisher WoodWorks