Advice for Shinai

[LNGUYEN]

Since I started to learn Kendo from last November, I used only one Shinai and it is a Practice Shinai from E-bogu. Until now, I start practice in Bogu, I know that I need to buy some extra Shinai. The practice Shinai from E-bogu is serving me well except the tsuka is a little small for my left hand grip. The eguchi Shinai which I am considering about are the standard and the Aun. The standard is$25.00 each and the Aun with leather kit is $50.00. Technically, the Aun is twice the cost of the standard but is it a lot better than the standard? Eguchi has free shipping for $50 purchase is good that make me think two standards or an Aun. What do you think? Is the grip on the standard same as the practice from E-bogu? Other recommendation? What is the best for $50.00?

Thank You in advance.

[Rularn]

I don't think you need anything special really for general practice. I use simple shinai like the ones you find anywhere for $20 and they last me quite awhile. You just have to remember to take care of the shinai as with all of your equipment. Sand all of the rough edges and make sure it isn't too dry. If you do that, then they should long just as long as a $60 shinai from wherever. Of course, if you have the money to burn and would simply just want a more expensive shinai you can get them from numerous online places like you mentioned. You can even get an oval grip shinai if you like or better oiled ones. But it's mainly preference, I think. Any shinai is going to break regardless of where you get it if you hit too hard or don't take care of it.

I have a dobari shinai that I use on occasion at tournaments and examinations. It feels better and I like it but the cost versus use ratio doesn't justify using it for regular practice.

Then there is the issue of women... you can get a lighter shinai if you want from eguchi or e-bogu for more money.



Since I started to learn Kendo from last November, I used only one Shinai and it is a Practice Shinai from E-bogu. Until now, I start practice in Bogu, I know that I need to buy some extra Shinai. The practice Shinai from E-bogu is serving me well except the tsuka is a little small for my left hand grip. The eguchi Shinai which I am considering about are the standard and the Aun. The standard is$25.00 each and the Aun with leather kit is $50.00. Technically, the Aun is twice the cost of the standard but is it a lot better than the standard? Eguchi has free shipping for $50 purchase is good that make me think two standards or an Aun. What do you think? Is the grip on the standard same as the practice from E-bogu? Other recommendation? What is the best for $50.00?

Thank You in advance.

[SirFingerLickin]

I actually find that the more expensive shinai break a lot easier than the cheap ones. I have an Aun, and its a great shinai, but it broke before a basic shinai I have did. Its not that big a problem because I just replaced the broken blade with one from a previously broken one. Dont let this discourage you from buying a nice shinai though. Just make sure you have a basic one as well so you can use that throughout regular practice so it can take most of the damage. I usually only use my nicer shinai for jigeiko.

[A P]

I just order Aun from Eguchi yesterday. I really look forward of its arrival.

I just think that I will use Aun as my standar shinai.

However, I am wondering what is the advantage and disadvantage of

having oval grip??? Or it doen's matter.

Anyone who have use oval grip shinai please tell me how it feels okay...

Thank youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu alllll

[Fraz]

An expensive shinai is nice but you have to ask whether it is worth the money...?
At your level, will you get the full benefit of it..? Or is it going to be kept to one side as a 'special' shinai...? The problem with having a special shinai is you end up not using it to keep for that 'special' practise or competion. I know I did....
I had a £40 shinai which I never used because it was too nice for weekly practise, I kept it for almost a year before I realised I'd gone through two £20 ones.... Not really value for money..:lol:

You didn't say what size shinai or tsukagawa you were using, or your age, height, gender...?

If the Tsukagawa is too short for your grip, you can use a larger size. 39 on a 38 shinai, or I've seen extra long tsukagawa's, the problem is that it shortens your effective shinai length. but the advantages and disadvanteges on that are an entirely different topic..:D

[decembersnow6]

i order my shinai from my sensei and the tsukagawa is a little bit too thin, i don't know if it is a cheap practice shinai or no, is it possible to buy a practice shinai with a thicker handle?

[Fraz]

You could get a dobari shinai... They are slightly wider in cross section that a standard shinai.

[LNGUYEN]

I am male, 33 years old and 5'6". I know that I use 39 shinai but the problem is in a whole year, I can never have my right hand touching the tsuba and the size of the tsuka is a bit small at the bottom the left hand grip. Since if the standard cheap shinai always come in small diameter tsuka and 39 tsukagawa, then I wonder if getting a better shinai will solve the problem. If the cheap shinai has the little bigger tsuka and 38 tsukagawa, then I will go for it again because I know it serves me well for the last year.

[Neil Gendzwill]

Most shinai sold as completes are cheap and don't offer much choice. If you prefer a thicker tsuka and a shorter tsuka-gawa then you should order the take and leather pieces seperately. Any competent supplier should be able to supply you with a shinai with a thicker tsuka. You can then get a 38 tsuka-gawa so that it is a little bit shorter for you and specify that you need it to fit a thicker tsuka. Good quality tsuka-gawa come in sizes not only for length (38, 39 etc) but also tsuka diameter.

[Fraz]

Yep.. What he said... *points to post above* :)

[A P]

Yep.. What he said... *points to post above* :)


Ahhhhhhh!!!!!! :shocked:

I see!!

Thank you everyone