Buying K2-style oval grip shinais

[Andoru]

From what I've read from the archives, only Tozando offers koban style shinai in which the whole tsuka is oval (similar to Hasegawa's K2). I do not wish to deal with Tozandounless absolutely necessary.

E-bogu's koban shinai is not entirely oval i.e. oval at left hand only (similar to K1 style). Eguchi's description of its koban shinai is not entirely clear about this. I can't read Japanese hence I cannot tell from Koei's catalogue unfortunately.

Question: who else supplies K2 grip style shinais?

[Andoru]

I've got the answer to my own question. ;)

Eguchi's Nami No Hira Oval Grip "Koban" Style Shinai (http://www.eguchi.net/nami_no_hira.htm) is oval shape for both hands. Lisa from Eguchi confirmed it. This also applies to their koban style SH6 medake shinais.

[JLF]

I've got the answer to my own question. ;)

Eguchi's Nami No Hira Oval Grip "Koban" Style Shinai (http://www.eguchi.net/nami_no_hira.htm) is oval shape for both hands. Lisa from Eguchi confirmed it. This also applies to their koban style SH6 medake shinais.
I called e-bogu.com and asked them about their Obaru Dobari Koban Gata and they said it was oval all of the way, not just left.

I hope this is true because I've got two on the way. I'll post a review when they arrive.

[Andoru]

I called e-bogu.com and asked them about their Obaru Dobari Koban Gata and they said it was oval all of the way, not just left.

I hope this is true because I've got two on the way. I'll post a review when they arrive.
Hmmm....someone on this forum owns the same, but he/she said that the right hand side is suppose to be round, though it did turn out slightly oval, but not as oval as the left hand, which sort of matches the description on e-bogu's website:

"Obaru is a our new Dobari Shinai with an oval grip (Koban Gata) on the left hand."

[JLF]

Hmmm....someone on this forum owns the same, but he/she said that the right hand side is suppose to be round, though it did turn out slightly oval, but not as oval as the left hand, which sort of matches the description on e-bogu's website:

"Obaru is a our new Dobari Shinai with an oval grip (Koban Gata) on the left hand."
I know, I saw that on their website too, so I called them to verify... LOL..., I was so paranoid that I called on two separte occasions and made sure I talked to two different people. They both said that it was fully oval and when I pointed out that little "left hand" line on their website they seemed confused and reiterated it was fully oval.

After this research I will be quite unforgiving if the shinai isn't fully oval... I will be sure to post a review and follow up with you. It should arrive either Monday or Tuesday of next week.

Stay tuned...

[Andoru]

Excellent - keep us updated.

[JSchmidt]

"They both said that it was fully oval"

Oval just means 'not round'. How do you define 'fully' oval?.

If you are expecting a bokken-style grip, I think you will be dissappointed.


Jakob

[Andoru]

"They both said that it was fully oval"

Oval just means 'not round'. How do you define 'fully' oval?.

If you are expecting a bokken-style grip, I think you will be dissappointed.


Jakob
Jakob - when we say "fully oval", we are referring to the whole tsuka being oval (similar to Hasegawa's K2 style), given that the description on some websites and users' comments from this forum suggest that there may be another type of "oval" grip in which the left hand is oval while the right hand is not (similar to Hasegawa's K1 style).

I am aware that the oval shape is not as oval as a bokken. :D

[JLF]

"They both said that it was fully oval"

Oval just means 'not round'. How do you define 'fully' oval?.

If you are expecting a bokken-style grip, I think you will be dissappointed.


Jakob
Yes, I agree with your technical description of the definition of oval.

However, in the industry of Kendo equipment, when discribing an oval grip in relation to the shinai, it has an understood meaning. Also, I used the term "koban gata" which I would think further illlustrates what I was looking for.

Well I'm hoping that the vendor didn't hear me say oval and think to himself, "well... you know, technically... our round grip shinai's aren't perfectly round so.... umm.... yeah they're oval alright".

Either way I'll let you know...

[Andoru]

JLF - I noticed that there is another thread on e-bogu's koban style shinai somewhere down the page. Unfortunately, it doesn't say anything about whether the tsuka is wholly or partially oval.

Initially I was of the opinion that koban is koban i.e. whole tsuka is oval, until I read the comments from some users here that some "koban" shinai's tsuka may not be oval for both left and right hands. Accordingly, I'm expecting your feedback before taking the plunge. :)

[JSchmidt]

"
However, in the industry of Kendo equipment, when discribing an oval grip in relation to the shinai, it has an understood meaning."

It does?. My understanding of an koban/oval style grip, was that the bottom end is quite narrow and then it tapers of towards round near the tsuka. This means that it's still oval near where the right hand goes, just that the aspect ratio will be lower.
Why do you want a 'fully' oval right hand grip anyway?.

Jakob

[JLF]

JLF - I noticed that there is another thread on e-bogu's koban style shinai somewhere down the page. Unfortunately, it doesn't say anything about whether the tsuka is wholly or partially oval.

Initially I was of the opinion that koban is koban i.e. whole tsuka is oval, until I read the comments from some users here that some "koban" shinai's tsuka may not be oval for both left and right hands. Accordingly, I'm expecting your feedback before taking the plunge. :)
I know! It can get quite confusing, but it is a sure fact that not all oval shinai are fully oval. Some e-vendors have specified this disparity, some undoubtedly have not.

I will be sure to enligten us all as far as the E-Bogu Obaru Dobari-style Koban Gata Shinai

[JLF]

"
However, in the industry of Kendo equipment, when discribing an oval grip in relation to the shinai, it has an understood meaning."

It does?. My understanding of an koban/oval style grip, was that the bottom end is quite narrow and then it tapers of towards round near the tsuka. This means that it's still oval near where the right hand goes, just that the aspect ratio will be lower.
Why do you want a 'fully' oval right hand grip anyway?.

Jakob
Ahh, Jakobsan, it is not my desire to argue with you or create a tense environment. Therefore I will note your advice and remain vigilant to bring clarity to this subject whenever possible.

As far as wanting a fully oval grip, I wish to as much as possible remain with the same consistency in all things, be it a bokuto, shinken, or shinai. Although the feel of the grip will not be exactly the same, the transition will be as seemless as I can make possible.

I hope these explanations satisfy your questions

[JSchmidt]

Sorry..was a little grumpy this morning and my posts came through reading harder than intended.

[Andoru]

JLF - you're a top bloke buddy!