How far should you sand it down?

[midnightdawn]

I'm farily new to kendo (still under a year) and my shinai just recently started to splinter pretty badly. One of the pieces of bamboo is almost half the thickness that it used to be. How thin should your bamboo pieces be before you either buy a new shinai or replace that piece of bamboo?

[hobbit]

From that description, I'd say about two months ago - if it's splintering that badly, I'd consider that in a dangerous condition. I was taught not to sand the take as it accelerates the deterioration, but to scrape or shave the small splinters out with a knife, ( you can get proper knives to do this, from "nine circles" for instance ), or freshly broken piece of glass, going down, not against, the grain. Once large splinters start appearing, the bamboo is nearing the end of it's life - but if only one of the take is damaged, the remainder can be salvaged for replaceing damaged ones in future shinai maintenance.

[Fraz]

If it helps, there's a section on Shinai Maintenance on our club website...
Shinai Maintanance & Beginners Manual (http://www.kendo.org.uk/clubs/edinburghkendo/manual.html)

[A P]

I think that you should get a new one ASAP.

[midnightdawn]

From that description, I'd say about two months ago - if it's splintering that badly, I'd consider that in a dangerous condition. I was taught not to sand the take as it accelerates the deterioration, but to scrape or shave the small splinters out with a knife, ( you can get proper knives to do this, from "nine circles" for instance ), or freshly broken piece of glass, going down, not against, the grain. Once large splinters start appearing, the bamboo is nearing the end of it's life - but if only one of the take is damaged, the remainder can be salvaged for replaceing damaged ones in future shinai maintenance.

Proper Knives? I think i've seen some of these for sale, is there any particular one you recommend?

[Fraz]

Shinai Tools (http://www.e-bogu.com/kendo-accessory-shinaipart.html) I've got a wooden one and a meikyo. The knife is great for preparing a new shinai, while the meikyo is good for on-the-spot repairs, and it's small enough to carry with you..:)

Mainly just a matter of preference..:)