best shinai and bokken

[cpk]

Hello everyone. Hope you are all having a good Holiday! I am looking to purchase a good quality shinai. Do you have any recomendations on type and balance distribution. Also the same with a bokken, style and material. I have an opportunity to train with someone who is ranked and certified by a top Japanese master. He basically say's anything will work, however being a bladeforum nut I want something really nice. My goal is to link this training into straight cane and hanbo techniques. I also have a backround in kalis. Any information or links would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.


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[T. Lux]

Good evening.
Your friend is largely correct in that a simple hickory or oak bokken/bokuto, if taken care of, will last you for years. If you are looking for some higher-end bokken/bokuto I would recommend either Bujin design in Colorado or Bugei Trading Company. Although I personally have not used Purpleheart Armory's Asian wooden weapons, I have been very pleased with their European wasters (bokken). I have also heard some good reports on Kim Taylor (University of Guelph)'s wooden weapons. A number of nice options are available. I hope you find what you are looking for.