E-Bogu Shinai: Bizen or Kunimasa?

[tagonagy]

I'm tempted by e-bogu's buy two get one free deal. My one problem is which shinai to select? I prefer thick handles and a shinai that "feels" light. I figure the Bizen or the Kunimasa fit this bill the best. Does anyone who has handled these shinai have an opinion? Should I consider other models?

[rfoxmich]

This is why I'm really glad that 9-circles opened a branch in East Lansing. If want to buy a shinai I just ask Rod to pop over to one of our practices with an assortment and I start picking them up, checking how they fit my hand and how they balance relative to what I like.

Sorry, I know that's no help other than the fact that its really tough to give a recommendation for which shinai to buy online:
- My tastes differ from yours.
- There's a great deal of variability in how a shinai handles even within a specific model.

[Neil Gendzwill]

The bizen tsuka is really thick. If you buy it, be sure to buy complete or at least purchase the tsuka-gawa that is made for it as regular tsuka-gawa will not fit.

[IloveKendo]

E-bogu shinai don't last as long as the ones from Nine Circles, my Sempai have had some bad experiences with E-bogu. Not exactly what you asked I know, but I'm not sure E-bogu is the best place to get suppiles anymore.

[UnimportantHero]

I prefer thick handles and a shinai that "feels" light ... Should I consider other models?

I have not used those and my ability to make recommendations on any shinai is pretty limited as I am nowhere near the level other people are on here. But in my experience, the Ise Bessaku (which I looooove) from E-Bogu has a pretty thick handle and its balance is such that it feels much lighter than it actually is, light enough that people in the dojo commented on it when they have held it in the past.

[jjcruiser]

I was, ironically, at ebogu this weekend. I also, ironically, handled a kunimasa with the supposedly thick slats.

I thought it felt a little heavy but was pretty. I thought the grip was a little thicker than I like (but I have small-to-medium hands). I thought the knots in the slats at the monouchi were larger than I'm used to.

I didn't buy one but I thought it seemed like good quality. If you like a solid and slightly larger tsuka seems like a good match. But I didn't use it and don't own it so take the grain of salt.

[Toshiro Mifune]

I have not used those shinai but I did purchase the Obaru (Oval grip) Madake. I can't see the tip of the Bizen but I had to get find a really thin plastic sakigomu (plastic or rubber stopper). None of the regular sakigomu would have fit even though the shinai was size 39. I was able to find a dojo mate with an extra women's 37 plastic sakigomu. Just letting you know to check before buying the Bizen in case you will also need to find a small sakigomu.