A review by Eric Blake [Vermont USA]
February 2004

When I unwrapped the bokken, all I could do was stare at it for a while. I recieved a custom engraving, and it had been carved exactly as I had drawn it, but the shine of the wood and the heft of it blew me away. One would be hard pressed to measure the grain thickness, because it is so tight. This lends itself to the weight that I feel is very realistic in terms of an object that trains you for use of a sword. Aesthetically, the bokken is very pleasing. The woodwork is flawless, much better than my red oak bokken (Which I believe may have been made by a machine). The wood is quite dark, and the shine on it lends itself to grasp your eyes and make them travel along it for a little longer. I showed my father, a carpenter of many years, and he too just stared at it for a while before saying "My, thats quite a piece of woodwork, isnt it?"

I took my bokken to the dojo that night and showed my Sensei and the other members of the class. After swinging and admiring it for a little while, he said to me, "Wow Eric, I really like that. Can I get nunchaku like that? Im interested Eric". Fortunately, Sandata makes virtually every melee weapon one can think of, and by the end of class I had orders for two nunchaku and a bo staff (because the ordering is done through email, they thought it would be easier for me to order for them)

I cannot reccommend the product enough. I have handled several bokken and katana, and while it beats out all the bokken, the weight comes close to the katana. Perfect for practice, also an awesome work out.

- Eric Blake, Vermont USA [February 2004]