How to Make Tonfas

The ancient martial art weapon known as the tonfa is essentially two wooden dowels connected at a right angle. As such, it is very easy to create and requires very few items.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 wooden dowels
  • Sand paper
  • Drill and drill bit
  • Super glue or wood glue
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Instructions

  1. How to Make a Basic Tonfa

    • 1

      Purchase two wooden dowels. The larger dowel that will make the shaft of the tonfa should measure from your elbow to 1 inch past your outstretched fingers. The dowel that will be the handle should measure from the bottom of your clenched fist to 1 inch past the top of your fist. Both dowels should be at least 1 inch thick.

    • 2

      Sand both ends of the dowel that will be the shaft of the tonfa until they are rounded.

    • 3

      Sand one end of the dowel that will be the handle to create a rounded end. Sand the other end into a peg shape that will fit into a hole drilled in the longer dowel.

    • 4

      Drill a hole in the tonfa shaft 1/3 of the way down from the end. This hole should be sized to accommodate the peg-shaped end of the tonfa handle.

    • 5

      Insert a small amount of glue into the hole drilled into the tonfa shaft. Also apply a small amount of glue to the peg-shaped end of the tonfa handle.

    • 6

      Insert the peg-shaped end of the tonfa handle into the hole drilled in the tonfa shaft. Allow glue to dry completely.