what are good materials to use an the handle of a bokken?

Question

im starting iaido and am i begginer
i want to put wrap on the handle to improve grip
i realize some instructors dont like bokkens for iaido but the instructor has told me to buy one from HIS shop
what materials are good for grip (dont say tape, be more specific cos some tapes leave ugly residue)

Answer 1

The best thing to use is plain o'l athletic tape you can get at any store. It wont slip... anything is going to leave residue after a while.

Answer 2

well if you're going to wrap the handle, then your best bet would be to simulate an actual sageo wrap as closely as possible. There are quite a few ways to wrap your bokken properly. Since the tsuka of a sword is wood underneath you shouldn't have any problems. The wrap I've used on some of my bokken's is a standard cord wrap. You can buy different types of sageo to wrap it with, just search on-line. Some wraps are presented with the "criss cross" pattern that you see so frequently. Another wrap that was used was for round sageo and was just simply wrapped around and around and around. Creating a sollidly wrapped grip. You can use either on your bokken. I've done both, and prefer the latter in this case. You can do this wrap without having any exposed ends if you can follow these directions (good luck, have to see it to understand.) The easiest thing to do wouljd just be to tied the top with a standard "bow" style not. Don't knot it twice, just once, make sure there is enough extra on one side of the not to run a long loop down the back side of the bokken. (you can groove the wood slightly to make it disappear) Let the loop hang passed the end of the tsuka about an inch. The loop should be part of the not so that it does not move on one side. Now just wrap the cord around and around and around, keeping the loop centered and the wrap as tight as possible. When you reach the bottom of the tsuka, stop the wrap, cut off the cord and pass it through the loop (leaving about six inches through the loop. Now just pull the top side of the not (the one that moved) and it will pull the excess wrap up underneath itself, you may have to pull very hard (i always tie it to my sai and use it as a huge handle) Once the loop has been pulled up with the end of the string with it, then cut the top string and your done... wish I had pictures, sorry I don't. Good luck if you try that.

Answer 3

Honestly, I wouldn't use anything at all. If you are having grip problems, then they will go away as you practice. If you really can't stand not having a better grip, get some gaff tape. you can buy it from theatrical supply companies. Lighting and sound technicians always have tons of it, but it might not come off wood very well. I think it will be ok, though.

Answer 4

baseball tap handle tape is good, you can remove residuewith either goo gone, or wd-40 and a rag.. and on a sidenote, white wax wood bokken are unbelievably strong, cold steel also has a polycarbonate bokken thats indestructible for around 30 bux..

Answer 5

Some use black "Hockey tape"
Small cost,works well,available a the sporting goods store.
Sometimes called "Hockey Grip Tape"
Durable!

Answer 6

Krazy Gloo guaranteed!