Shinai Maintenance

[Pauly]

When do you learn how to take care of your shinai (rid it of splinters, etc.)? Is this something taught in class, are you instructed to learn it on your own, or do you eventually realize you can prolong your shinai's life after buying your 3rd or 4th one.

I think this is a very, VERY important topic that needs to be taught to all beginning kendo players as it prevents injury to your fellow club members.

[LNGUYEN]

In my dojo, after a few month of practice just swinging in the air, Sensei starts to let us hit each other's shinai. At that time he taught us how to maintain our shinai and inspect it at the begining of each class. Before that you just swing your shinai in the air and technically, no danger in that yet.

[forbidden]

The first class i attended i bought a shinai and i got instructions how to take care of it. How to sand down sharp edges, and soak it in oil from time to time, and make sure its not damaged before every practice (and after) so nobody can get hurt during class.

[stuartwilson]

Check out this very helpful guide:
http://www.shinai.org/housemef/shinaimaint/shinaimaint.html