Wooden Katana - Inspired by the Samurai Sword
Wooden Sword Based on the Japanese Katana Weapon
Wooden swords are based on the Japanese katana weapon. Cain feels the samurai sword was the furthest cultures were able to go with weaponry and hand tools. It wasn’t until guns came along that the katana became obsolete. Cain is trying to bring back the lost history of old school forms and art in his wooden katana version of the Japanese sword.
Black Walnut 1
47 1/2" x 7" x 7 1/2" (L x W x H)
Bookmarked Maui grown black walnut is used for the sword sheath and handle. The grain is fairly straight, creating nice lines. This may look a bit different than the black walnut you are used to because it is Maui grown. Kiawe sword has the blond outer sap wood showing on the bottom edge, making a nice contrast. Sword comes without stand.
Ironwood 1
47 1/2" x 7" x 7 1/2" (L x W x H)
Ironwood handle and sheath are extremely mottled creating wondeful character for this sword. Kiawe blade and core are extremely hard in this completely hand made and triple laminated set. This is truly a one of a kind katana as ironwood is a hard wood to come by and cure. Sword comes without stand.
Eucalyptus1
47 1/2" x 7" x 7 1/2" (L x W x H)
Two types of eucalyptus are used for the sheath and handle of this sword, creating a unique character. Ultra-hard kiawe wood is used for the blade and core or the sheath and handle. Sheath and sword are completely hand made and triple laminated. Sword comes without stand.
Eucalyptus2
47 1/2" x 7" x 7 1/2" (L x W x H)
There are two types of eucalyptus used on this sword's sheath and handle. The handle is made out of Robusta creating an extremely unique hand hold with its red and golden contrasts. Sword comes without stand.
“Replication is boring, unless there’s a lot of meaning. Samurai swords have a lot of meaning.”
Katanas balanced for forms
Cain tries really hard to balance the sword by utilizing different types of wood so it can be used for a one person form practice. Cain makes them so you can do forms as if you are a real samurai. It is not meant for touching other swords in sparring though. Doing so would cause dings and cracks and would be dangerous as the blades are made as realistic as possible and sanded to as sharp an edge as the wood will take, which is pretty sharp.
Art you can use
Cain likes hand tools and he likes art you can use. He has combined these two passions in his wood katanas and his wood bats. He uses a variety of wood to bring different textures and colors into the pieces. The katana sword core is always made out of the densest wood available at the time though, so that it mimics the qualities and weight of an alloy metal sword.