Oval grip vs Round Grip Shinai

[kancho]

When doing suburi, we are supposed to squeeze the handle. With a oval grip is that possible? Wouldn't it be bad for the bamboo.

[JSchmidt]

'squeeze', not crush it :)

Jakob

[13th warrior]

I ordered an oval-grip shinai from e-bogu. It's a beautiful thing, massive yet easy to fence with. I tried it yesterday for tha first time and she handled like a dream. The grip was much more natural and I could make a firmer hold to it. I found it much easier to perform do and kote strikes, as well as men kirikaishi. Highly recommendable.

[kancho]

Thanks for your responses I ended up buy a madake shinai with a round grip from eguchi. Anyone know how good they are and how long they will last. That shinai cost me alot for a piece of bamboo. Just waiting for it now.