Makiwara Makings

We've had our deck rejuvenated recently. I asked the builder, while he was here, to get me a long post, and cut it diagonally, so I could make myself a couple of makiwara. Traditionally in karate one doesn't use a punching bag; one punches a makiwara: most commonly a wooden post which tapers towards the top where it is about 2cm thick. Over the wood there is a pad of some sort, often wrapped with thick twine. Much better for punching than a bag, I always thought. So I'm going to have one higher, for punching, and another lower, for kicks. Here are the two sliced halves end-on:

Bettr; Flickr.

And here side-on.

SMC Pentax-M 1:2 50mm @f4 I think; K-30.