This 42" (107 cm) long bokken has been carved from a solid piece of South American purpleheart wood. This bokken design is somewhat wider and thicker than most Japanese models and fits North American and European hands well. Also known as amaranth, purpleheart has gorgeous tones and a Janka hardness rating of 1860. It is strong, dense, and fairly heavy, making an excellent training tool. After giving a final sanding with 220 grit paper, we have given our bokken several coats of tung oil, which will lock in the color and provide a strong coating that resists wear, soiling or denting from light contact. Because of the unique properties of purpleheart, the colouration is very sensitive to long-term exposure to sunlight. A program of maintenance is recommended to prevent gradual darkening of the wood over time.