Making a Chashaku

Tools and supplies

Attractive bamboo, at least 3-4 cm. diameter

Froe or chisel and mallet

Saw

Carving knife

Sandpaper

Masking tape

Deep pot

stove or hot plate

Candle

Making ‘blanks’

Choose pieces of bamboo and saw into lengths of about 35 cm. Wrap masking tape around the pole before sawing, to prevent splintering. 
From node to tip: about 20 cm. (If necessary, it could be as short as 14 cm.)
From node to end: 13 cm.

Split the lengths with a froe or chisel, choosing which parts you want to use for chashaku. Depending on bamboo diameter, you may get 2 or 4 or even more possible pieces from one length. Trim the ‘blanks’ to about 2-3 cm. wide.

Mark area to bend.

Using a belt sander, sand paper, or knife, remove back of node and flatten the blank in the area where it will bend.

Soak in water for a day, then heat the water and simmer.

Remove bamboo from water and immediately heat over candle flame, continually moving it and being careful not to scorch it. When it softens, bend gently.

 Plunge bamboo into ice water and tie with cord to maintain the bend, or prop between weights until completely dry.

Trim both ends with a saw

 

Tools for chashaku making are available at these 2 stores & online.

 Hida Tool (in Berkeley, CA)
http://www.hidatool.com/index.html
Kiridashi knife (& others)

Japan Woodworker  (in Alameda, CA)
http://www.japanwoodworker.com/page.asp?content_id=2896
“knives for woodworkers”
3/4" Blue Steel Woodworking Knife (Kogatana) (& others)They also have froes for splitting bamboo.