Bokkens

I have just been ordering bokkens for a couple of Mark's and my students from Icon Martial Arts: 02392 588496. You can have a look at their range of bokkens at http://www.iconmartialarts.com/html/body_bokken_.html
When my trade account with them gets set up in a week or two, I will be able to get further discounts from their stated web price on anything on their site, (which includes the cheapest price for those good quality rubber soled kung fu shoes that we wear on the slippery Thursday night class floor in London...), so do get in touch if you are thinking of getting anything. I still recommend www.bokkenshop.com in Japan for top quality woods and finish, but if you are just starting out, this may be a little extravagant. I have been trying to find a good reliable supplier of bokkens in London itself, so I can just go and get them when folks need them, but it is patchy. Shaolin Way in Chinatown stock good lightweight cheapish £10 bokkens and £20 heavier white oak ones, but they are often out of stock, so check before you go there; 020 7734 6391.