To kill my frustration in not having a shamisen I decided to at least make a Bachi. I found some wood from a old door (I think it may be Mahogany) and I will admit that I cheated when making it. I did not use the technique Kyle suggests; as I am a complete woodwork novice and figured why do what machines can do for me! So I marked out the shape and used a bandsaw to cut it out then to get the main shape I used a circular sander and then thinned the top edge using a belt sander. I admit its not very symmetrical and the tips snapped off whan I had what Kyle calls ‘Perfection Disorder’ in hindsight I should have walked away for a bit, the only reason I gave up in the end was when I broke a nail (when it comes to working in the workshop blondes definitely do not have more fun!)
Here is what I started with and what the final Bachi looks like, and only took 45 minutes!
well, for a first time at woodwork i didn’t expect that ! Well done, there is no shame to work with power tools, it saves you time and for the most part they will work cleaner and better than a human can. I’m thinking about making some jigs and making mine with a router and a jointer.
Very beautiful, Tegan! A very fine bachi! Can’t wait to hear it.
I’m not sure if the book says otherwise, but I wouldn’t say using power tools is cheating. A power tool is the same as any tool, just with a higher chance of cutting a finger off. Hand tools can make for a more relaxing experience, but these days, I use power tools whenever possible. Even bachi makers use belt sanders to shape their bachi! (using a very fine belt, of course)
To second amanda’s comment, jealous of your bandsaw! Sometimes I wish I had one.
The Shamoji sure adds an interesting tone. Okawari ne!
It looks really good! And to think you made it in 45 minutes !
You are awesome!!!
Thank you for sharing your adventures in creating your bachi
The simplest bachi only cost 8 dollars.
Buy plastic rice scoop and then shape it.
Shinji (Almost Shinjuku again, but I SAVED it this time!),
Another option is to just use the rice scoop as it is . . . YouTube
haha awesome
actually before i found my bachi.. i was looking at ice scrapers
they are actually quite comfy to hold and would make good bachi i think.. hard plastic but not too hard aswell as a comfy comfy foam grip
Can’t wait to hear it.
Hand tools can make for a more relaxing experience, but these days, I use power tools whenever possible. Even bachi makers use belt sanders to shape their bachi! 
