Nihonzashi

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(At this time we are not able to offer Sword Customizations or Repairs. Please check back we will update the listings as soon as we can.)
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Japanese swords, equipment, custom knives and more. Our focus is supporting students of the sword and providing high quality functional swords and a full line of accessories. If you study iaido, battodo, kenjutsu, or any other form of Japanese swordsmanship - this is the place for you.

Design My Own

Store/Custom Shop/Custom Tetsubo / Suburito/Design My Own

Tetsubo and Suburito Design Guide

Our Tetsubo are made from domestic oak with steel studs. Most are made by laminating multiple layers of wood together to form a large composite slab. The studs are not tacks. They are 1/2” long round head rivets hammered into drilled holes and fastened with gorilla glue. The oak is finished with boiled linseed oil.

You can easily refurbish the finish using more boiled linseed oil and a rag. The studs are normal steel and will rust unless protected. Mineral oil works to keep them from rusting, but you may prefer just letting them rust normally.

Tetsubo are not indestructible. If you impact a immovable target near the handle, the weight of the main body will easily snap the handle - especially straight handles. It is best to impact targets in the center on the main body, but even that will break with enough force. We recommend you consider this before tying to smash random objects.

Size:

Larger is not always better, but it is more expensive. We offer three different sized tetsubo based on the diameter of the main body.

2 3/8 in wide with 5/8 in rivets
2 1/8 in wide with 1/2 in rivets
1 7/8 in wide with 7/16 in rivets

If you want the biggest / baddest Tetsubo, go with the 2 3/8” size. At full length it will be really heavy and difficult to maneuver, but it is awesome. The 1 7/8” size is very controllable but still has some heft. It is about 1/4 of the weight of the full sized version. The 2 1/8” size is between the two, and retains some of the heft of the full sized version.

The overall length can be from 8 to 60 inches. For single hand use we suggest keeping it under 24”. Full sized tetsubo over 48 inches long are very unwieldy. The length is going to determine the price.

Handle Shape:

There are several types of handle styles you can choose from that will change the look, feel, and durability of you tetsubo. If you are concerned about breaking it, go with a tapered handle. If you are using it for strength training for swordsmanship, go with an oblong handle.

Tapered (With or without knob)
Ribbed with knob
Straight (With or without knob)
Straight Oblong (With or without knob)

Tapered with knob and ribbed with knob both have tapered handles with an end knob. The basic profile is the same, but the ribbed version has rounded segments that increase in length farther down the handle. These tapered profiles have the handle diameter increase by 20% along its length. All the other profiles remain the same for the whole handle. All handle styles transition to the main body with a tapered section. The oblong handles have an oblong profile that are taller than wide, similar to sword handles. The oblong shape is the best for a suburito. Oblong handles with knobs have oblong shaped knob ends.

Handle Diameter:

Handle diameter is specified as a percentage of the overall body diameter. This is done because the larger heavier tetsubo need larger handles to compensate for the increased weight. Too small of a handle will break too easily.

Tapered handle diameters are measured in the center of the handle and change -10% to +10% along their length and resist breaking the best. Oblong handles are 10% taller in height and are 10% thinner than the given handle diameter. The Handle size options are:

XXL - 80% of diameter
XL - 75% of diameter
L - 70% of diameter
M -65% of diameter
S -60% of diameter

Handle Length:

The final selection is the handle length. It is specified as a percentage of the overall length. The handle length does not include the knob. The minimum handle size is 4”, so if you choose an 8” mini tetsubo, it does not matter what handle length you choose, and handles with knobs are not appropriate. The handle length options are:

XXL - 50% total length
XL - 45% total length
L - 40% total length
M - 35% total length
S - 30% total length
XS - 25% total length

The following table shows the actual handle length for different selections:

Size	XXL	XL	L	M	S	XS
60"	30"	27"	24"	21"	18"	15"
48"	24"	21.6"	19.2"	16.8"	14.4"	12"
36"	18"	16.2"	14.4"	12.6"	10.8"	9"
24"	12"	10.8"	9.6"	8.4"	7.2"	6"
12"	6"	5.4"	4.8"	4.2"	4"	4"
8"	4"	4"	4"	4"	4"	4"

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$69.00

Custom Tetsubo / Kanabo Length (50” to 60”)

$299.00

Sold out

Custom Tetsubo / Kanabo Length (38” to 48”)

$209.00

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Custom Tetsubo / Kanabo Length (18” to 36”)

$130.00

Why Choose Us?

We offer a full line of training equipment and services. We are a one stop shop for your training and collecting needs. We offer training, sharpening, and repair in addition to a full line of iaito and shinken. Buy from a company that can do more than just ship you a sword.

Discounted Prices (normally 15% to 40% off of retail) 90 Day Money Back Guarantee.

When one sword is just not enough - Nihonzashi