Tuka core

[dwez]

Is anyone aware of any benefits or issues regarding the size of the tsuka core. My newest shinai has a very small aperture and is rock solid whereas my older shinais have a much bigger hole and feel a little more 'flexible'.

The tsuka-gawa is ridiculously tight on the bamboo, does this have an effect on tenouchi, will this be why it feels so solid? Or is it to do with the smaller core?

[Halcyon]

Is anyone aware of any benefits or issues regarding the size of the tsuka core. My newest shinai has a very small aperture and is rock solid whereas my older shinais have a much bigger hole and feel a little more 'flexible'.

The tsuka-gawa is ridiculously tight on the bamboo, does this have an effect on tenouchi, will this be why it feels so solid? Or is it to do with the smaller core?
How hollow the tsuka core is will affect the balance of the shinai. The tightness of the tsukagawa is a function of the outer diameter of the tsuka and the tsukagawa itself. Unless it's unreasonably loose, I don't see how the tightness of the tsukagawa should affect your tenouchi.

[nodachi]

I would think the "solidness" of the shinai is more a factor of how well the bamboo fit nicely together and how well they connect to that little metal piece at the end down there. For example, making a frankenshinai can lead to pieces that weren't made to fit nicely so there is not a nice flush connection between the slats.

[DCPan]

Is anyone aware of any benefits or issues regarding the size of the tsuka core. My newest shinai has a very small aperture and is rock solid whereas my older shinais have a much bigger hole and feel a little more 'flexible'.

The tsuka-gawa is ridiculously tight on the bamboo, does this have an effect on tenouchi, will this be why it feels so solid? Or is it to do with the smaller core?

If you are looking at the end of the shinai instead of taking it apart, you maybe looking at the "node" on the shinai instead of how thick the staves are.

Assuming that you are using a 39, you actually want the five nodes to be spread out evenly.

If you got a shinai with 4 nodes on a 39, then it's either cut improperly or harvested on the incorrect growth cycle.

Ideally, you also don't want a node to be right at the end of the shinai either, as the nodes provide structural support.

YMMV.