Rubber hand-guard stopper

코등이 고무 (kodeungi gomu) is the rubber ring fitted on the handle of a 죽도 (jukdo, the bamboo sword used in kumdo) to hold the 코등이 (kodeungi), the hand guard that protects the hand, in place. The Japanese counterpart is tsuba-dome (鍔止め).

• Function: it keeps the kodeungi from sliding along the handle. Without it, the kodeungi drifts toward the tip with every strike, which changes the grip position and the balance of the jukdo. It also keeps the kodeungi from moving under the impact of strikes and of the kodeungi clash (코등이 싸움, kodeungi ssaum).
• Fitting: the ring is passed on from the pommel end, over the handle leather, and slid slightly past the tip-side end of that leather. The kodeungi is then fitted.
• Materials and sales: Korean shops sell a standard set of a plastic kodeungi and a rubber support (고무 코등이 받침, gomu kodeungi batchim). Leather supports with special rubber are also sold.
• Rules: the kodeungi may not exceed 9 cm in outer diameter. It must be made of leather or a chemical product such as plastic.
• Maintenance: if the kodeungi slides or wobbles, the rubber may be stretched or may not fit the jukdo. The advice is to replace it.