Restringing/Restoring my priceless chucks...

[TuKongChucks]

Ok so when I was five my highly trained Navy SEAL(Vietnam Vet R.I.P.) cousin gave me these chucks he made himself in the 70's, these things have been through hell and back and their is only a few shed spot of wood(Not big) and these things have beaten on trees and everything.  I idolized my cousin very much because I always wanted to do martial arts and nunchaku.  So, sentimentally, these are priceless to me.  The story behind him, as much as I adored him he did get hooked on some serious drugs in the military and got mixed up in the stuff and people that come with it.  A few years ago he was with 2 of his Navy "buddies", and was eating dinner and passed out face first in the plate, they drug him by his tags and shirt to his truck to die where they poisoned him(Well in his food), idk if its some scandal or secret but were technically were able to recieve a autopsy report they would not release it to ANY family.  Its very sickening, that things like this can happen, he was a gaurd for the Tomb of the Unknown for christs sake.  I thought I would share these facts about the background of why I call these my priceless chucks before I went on to do my DIY stringing technique.

There are pics but not in great ordered detail, but you will understand simply.
Step one remove the Old string from your chucks:

Next I took my 14ga. paracord(black) and rounded off the ends with my zippo, to make it easier to maneuver the string in and out of the chucks because of the tight fit in the holes:

I started by taking the string and dropping it down the top hole, and used a belt buckle piece to push it out of the top side hole



From there I pulled the rope through the next hole to the otherside and left room for slack and adjustment:

Now for pulling the rope back through the top hole, I took a needle and bent it into a style much like a doctors stitching needle so it could curve around into the top side hole(String would not hold to pull rope through because of the tight fit, I increased the rope gauge because of the weight of the chucx for a little extra stability and lasting ability)I dropped it through and threaded the paracord onto it, then curved the point so it would grip it.  I took some pliers and pulled really hard and it popped right through(This photo is for reference this isnt what I did in the end just follow the description I gave):


Repeat this for the next stick...


Now for attatching the rope, I have become quite adept to using galvanized steel rings(From my chainmail rings that I cut   )
Get the slack out and line up the rope and keep it tight so one rope wont be longer than the other side.

Put the first(Or how ever many you wish to put on) rings on one end of the rope clamp it to hold it together then use the pliers to pinch it VERY TIGHT! where it form fits into a doubled circle around the cord:

Then your next one or how ever many:

Now you have a tight fit that wont release at all, it doesnt scratch or get in the way whatsoever, if you have extra room just hide em away inside the chuck, mine just have no room at all thats why theyre on the outside.:


Hope you like this,
Alex

[Berserkergang]

Wow, sad story. 

I understand how important those could be to you, how do they handle? What are they made from?

[TuKongChucks]

Yes these are very important to me.

They are wonderful, I believe they are solid oak if im not mistaken.  They swing very smooth, he did an amazing job crafting these.  Very equal taper on both they both are the same weight.  They are quite heavy but are pretty nice for freestyle 14" octo tapered.

But yea my dad told me stories from when he was younger and Kenny would teach him some MA from his SEAL training, and he said that it was the most amazing thing he seen watching him train with his chucks.  So hopefully hes watching from somewhere proud of me continuing on with his chucks.

[beverchakus]

sorry to hear that man. but at the same time, it's bad*ss that you still have the 'chakus he made you. I bet it feels awesome swinging them around knowing they were hand made by a beloved family member. awesome dude. 

[Luke Cool]

I've been doing these for 35 years, so take me seriously.
Nunchakus get old dry and brittle, the wood splinters and cracks.
Yours are getting close to this right now.
You can stop this process and save your Nunchakus.
Rub them down with oil, especially around the neck and down in the holes.
 Linseed, olive, sun flower, canola; Any oil, just not petroleum based.
Afterword, hang them and let them drip with a newspaper underneath.
Do this every 3 to 6 months. It makes them tough. The oil soaks in, they feel like wood.



The rope you used is not what I would use. I use a solid weave, no core.
I wrap the ends together, stuff them into a slot, light some spare cord on fire, and drip the molting cord across the slot. Then I use a knife to press the molting cord into the wrapped cord to fuse them together.
The sticks in the picture are 30 years old. These are used really often, the cord is over 5 years old.
The link keeps an even pressure on the neck and drastically reduces wear.
Mine are very important to me, and I just told you how I take care of them.

[Marlon Bangkil]

Ok so when I was five my highly trained Navy SEAL(Vietnam Vet R.I.P.) cousin gave me these chucks he made himself in the 70's, these things have been through hell and back and their is only a few shed spot of wood(Not big) and these things have beaten on trees and everything.  I idolized my cousin very much because I always wanted to do martial arts and nunchaku.  So, sentimentally, these are priceless to me.  The story behind him, as much as I adored him he did get hooked on some serious drugs in the military and got mixed up in the stuff and people that come with it.  A few years ago he was with 2 of his Navy "buddies", and was eating dinner and passed out face first in the plate, they drug him by his tags and shirt to his truck to die where they poisoned him(Well in his food), idk if its some scandal or secret but were technically were able to recieve a autopsy report they would not release it to ANY family.  Its very sickening, that things like this can happen, he was a gaurd for the Tomb of the Unknown for christs sake.  I thought I would share these facts about the background of why I call these my priceless chucks before I went on to do my DIY stringing technique.

There are pics but not in great ordered detail, but you will understand simply.
Step one remove the Old string from your chucks:

Next I took my 14ga. paracord(black) and rounded off the ends with my zippo, to make it easier to maneuver the string in and out of the chucks because of the tight fit in the holes:

I started by taking the string and dropping it down the top hole, and used a belt buckle piece to push it out of the top side hole



From there I pulled the rope through the next hole to the otherside and left room for slack and adjustment:

Now for pulling the rope back through the top hole, I took a needle and bent it into a style much like a doctors stitching needle so it could curve around into the top side hole(String would not hold to pull rope through because of the tight fit, I increased the rope gauge because of the weight of the chucx for a little extra stability and lasting ability)I dropped it through and threaded the paracord onto it, then curved the point so it would grip it.  I took some pliers and pulled really hard and it popped right through(This photo is for reference this isnt what I did in the end just follow the description I gave):


Repeat this for the next stick...


Now for attatching the rope, I have become quite adept to using galvanized steel rings(From my chainmail rings that I cut   )
Get the slack out and line up the rope and keep it tight so one rope wont be longer than the other side.

Put the first(Or how ever many you wish to put on) rings on one end of the rope clamp it to hold it together then use the pliers to pinch it VERY TIGHT! where it form fits into a doubled circle around the cord:

Then your next one or how ever many:

Now you have a tight fit that wont release at all, it doesnt scratch or get in the way whatsoever, if you have extra room just hide em away inside the chuck, mine just have no room at all thats why theyre on the outside.:


Hope you like this,
Alex