Tameshigiri

The stand in the upper left photo is a 24 inch tall Red Oak cutting stand. The stand in the middle is a 24 inch tall Brazilian cherry stand. The stand in the right photo is a 15.5 inch tall Brazilian Cherry cutting stand. The top of the stands are at the indicated heights above the floor at 15.5" or 24". The column thickness is 3.5" by 3.5" making for a heavy and sturdy cutting stand. Each of the four legs are 12 inches long. This is long enough to keep the stand from tipping and short enough to stay out of the way of the feet of the martial artist. These cutting stands can be disassembled using just a 1/2 inch wrench !!! Once disassembled, they fit into a 24 inch long duffel bag. The 24" Oak stand weighs 18 to 20 pounds and the 24" Brazilian Cherry stand weighs a whopping 26 to 29 pounds.

Construction:

The stand is made from eleven board feet of wood and assembled with waterproof glue. They are designed to be assembled and disassembled with one six inch lag bolt accessible from underneath using a 1/2 inch wrench, as mentioned before. All parts are self aligning and they can be assembled in two minutes. The stands are built low and wide to resist tipping during tameshigiri. Each 12 inch long leg has a "pad" installed to keep the bottom of the cutting stands out of the pool of water which inevitably develops during cutting. Each pad has a rubber cushion installed underneath to minimize sliding on floors wet from water soaked targets. The rubber cushion is a recent design change suggested by several tameshigiri experts. They suggested rubber cushions because the former design which used anti-skid tape tended to scratch wood floors. (see photo below). To help seal out water, each piece of the cutting stand is coated on all surfaces with marine grade varnish (also called spar varnish) before assembly. Each cutting stand is assembled at least once and verified to be level to one-tenth of an inch. Cutting stands are then disassembled into three major pieces which are individually wrapped for protection and shipped with all required hardware.

These cutting stands are traditionally made from Red Oak but unusual availability of Brazilian Cherry in my location in Central Florida has allowed me to make the cutting stand out of Brazilian Cherry as well. Brazilian Cherry is more dense and has a darker finish and while slightly more expensive is definitely worth the difference if you want a heavier cutting stand. So while Brazilian Cherry is available, I will offer the cutting stand made in Brazilian Cherry.

The stand comes with one 9-inch Oak peg. See below for extra pegs.

The hole at the top of the stand is designed to hold one inch diameter pegs and is two inches deep. The pegs we sell are nine inches long, leaving seven inches exposed at the top of the stand for the cutting mat. The peg on top of the stand is held in the hole using the threaded black knob located at the side. Rotating the knob clockwise causes the threaded stud to enter the hole from the side and hold the peg in the hole. Rotating the knob counterclockwise removes the clamping pressure of the threaded stud and allows the peg to be removed. Just below the black knob is a drain hole used to remove water from the peg hole. I make the column out of specially ordered 2 two-inch thick blocks of wood (subsequently cut down to the standard size of 3.5 inches X 3.5 inches). Using two-inch thick wood helps to minimize splitting at the top of the stand which is so common for stands which use 4 one-inch pieces of wood. Those of you who have ordered an earlier version will notice the removal of the "cross plies".
	Here you see the large foot area designed to minimize tipping (Red Oak cutting stand shown). Also visible are the rubber cushions as well as the only bolt required to assemble and disassemble the cutting stand.

We offer three Red Oak 9-inch pegs already sharpened for use. Use Red Oak pegs if your sword blade is hardened.	We offer four 9-inch Poplar pegs already sharpened for use. Use Poplar pegs if your sword blade is not hardened.

We have all raw materials (wood, varnish, hardware, etc...) available in the shop but do not make your cutting stand until you order it. I might have one or two completed cutting stands in inventory for that last minute order though. If you would like us to make your cutting stand to order, please give us five business days. We make our cutting stands to exacting detail and the wait will be well worth it!!!

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TAMESHIGIRI

Construction: