The Tonfa
Vintage Textbook Reference Young Adult Non-Fiction Martial Arts Sports Training Self-Defense Fitness Collector’s Item
The Tonfa by Clifford C. Crandall is a scarce 1996 paperback that serious martial-arts collectors rush to add to their libraries. At only 84 pages, this vintage textbook distills a lifetime of Okinawan training into one compact, photo-illustrated guide that shows exactly how to turn the humble side-handle baton into a lightning-fast extension of your own body. Every stance, strike, block and disarm is photographed step-by-step so that beginners can follow along while advanced practitioners discover subtle details that modern videos still miss.
What makes this particular copy special is its condition: the pages are clean, unmarked and tightly bound—no underlining, no dog-ears, no ex-library stamps—while the exterior carries only honest shelf-wear that confirms it was actually used by a dedicated student rather than left unread on a shelf. Because the original print run was tiny and the publisher (Tonfa Master) disappeared years ago, later reprints simply don’t exist; once the remaining 1990s copies are gone, they’re gone for good.
Collectors value the book for its historical snapshot of pre-2000s American karate, but everyday readers love it for instant, practical self-defense. Crandall’s teaching style is encouraging and safety-first, making the material accessible to teens, adults, and even fitness enthusiasts looking for a fresh cross-training tool. Whether you want to round out a martial-arts library, add an authentic period piece to a dojo bookshelf, or finally master the weapon you first saw on a police duty belt, this illustrated vintage guide delivers knowledge you can’t find anywhere else.
Refer to our eBay listing for a full condition report and many more high-quality pictures of this item.
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