I asked my instructor what I should do to clean and repair(if necessary) a bokken. He told me that his instructor said that the samurai used bokken so they would not damage their swords, and that a bokken is meant to get damaged and all. I then tried online for bokken care, one site said I should remove excess wax and oils, and then use a red-colored wood floor wax. Anyone know what I should do to clean my bokken and keep it looking nice.

Saarna

Getting a bit worried about you.

You keep asking people about stuff your teacher should be able to help you with.

Starting to "sound" as if they don't know---or you don't trust them.

1st--the samurai DID NOT use bokken so they would not hurt their swords---they mainly used them so they would not hurt each OTHER---still very dangerous BUT "safer" than training with live blades.

(sure it also protected their swords--but that was not the main reason)

2nd--a good quality bokken should NOT come with "excessive oils and waxs" usually only the cheap one's come covered with oils and waxs and laquers.

3td--I'd steer clear of using "red colored floor wax" on your bokken.

Every few months just wipe them down with a good quality, clear wood or mineral oil--some of them might darken the wood but they work fine.

Should not really need to "clean" your bokken--if you feel the need, just wipe them down with a quality wood cleaner--nothing special.

4-After paired pactice its a good idea to run your hand along the bokken to check for splinters--you should be finding "dents" from the contact with other bokken, that is "normal"--but splinters need to be addressed.
Small splinters can be easily sanded out--and you should do so before the next practice.

Cracked or badly splinted bokken should be gotten rid of or cut down to smaller weapons.

5-Do not lean your bokken--or any other wooden training weapon, up against a wall.
Even the good ones can warp faster than you would belive possible.
They go stright up against the wall, flat on the floor, in supported racks etc.
Some folks use a small eyelet and hang them up.

I have seen people prop their bokken or staff up in a corner for months at a time with no harm done at all.
And I have seen people warp their training weapons over the space of weekend.

NEVER hurts to be careful.

6-Wooden weapons--such a bokken, should be kept in a bag when not in use--helps protect them.

Just some tips.

I agree with everything CXT wrote. The red floor wax strikes me as a bad idea, and something perhaps written with those cheap $8 red laquered bokuto in mind. Where did you see those instructions? Could you provide a link?

It was in an email I got from a website that I think was called www.aznarenterprise.com and it was for maccasar ebony weapons. It didn't sound like a good idea to use floor polish but is there an oil or wax made for bokkens?

Saarna

No, there really is no "special" oil or wax for bokken.

You don't need one.

One of the problems with weird/exotic woods is that they sometimes DO need "special" care and handleing.

Some woods polish up to nearly a "glass-like" finish, and they can sometimes be almost as fragile.

(when I have some time I'll tell you about a buddy of mine that used a very $ $ $, polished length of antique ebony for paired partner practice ---or the guy that used a grade of walnut usually set aside for fine furniture to make a bo staff--looked cool---but so NOT worth the price.)

Do yourself favor and stick to the normal white oaks and ashs and hickorys.

Its not about the "wood" its about the training.

Ok, what about tung and boiled linseed oil. I've heard a lot about those. And you were talking about warping of the wood. Would a stand like this prevent warping on bokken? http://www.karatedepot.com/sw-st-20.html if not could you point me towards one that can hold multiple weapons and will prevent warping of wood?

saarna

That looks like it would work just fine.

So would just laying it on the floor.

Tung oil would work fine.

Be careful with the type of linseed oil you use--some of it was used to waterproof cloth back in the day (oilcloth) and tend to get a bit hard as it "sets."

Your best bet is just a decent quality wood oil, which y ou can get in pretty much any hardware store.

Your bokken might "darken" a bit thu multiple applications--that totally normal.

Just wipe the bokken down throughly every now and then--let it stand until "dry" and put it back into the bag.

where can I find tung and linseed oil. I tried safeway and homedepot, neither had it.

I just bought a can (screw top) of BOILED linseed oil at the local hardware store (Ausable Forks, Adirondacks). Used it on my buddy's picnic table to protect it from the weather. Just remember to wipe off the excess and rub the wood down well afterwards.

BTW Boiled linseed oil comes that way. DO NOT BOIL IT. ;-)

Saarna

Did Home Depot have any "wood oil?????????????"

Check the wood products section of Home Depot--they should have TONS of various products for the care of wood.

What they are for should be on the lables.