dry weather, cracked shinai

[Pokie]

Raaaaaaaaa...this sux, my Kunimitsu, supposed to be matake, did not even last 1 yr, there's a crack in the middle..on the right bamboo stave. I can't believe it...I didn't even use it that much cos it's dang heavy. I'm not getting expensive shinais anymore, my taiwanese "inferior grade" shinai has no crack in it whatsoever, but I really drowned that it in oil, as in, three coats of thick vege oil. Shud we aussies oil our shinai regularly in this dry weather, if so, how regulary ? I have a buddy who bought matake shinai before, used it once and it cracked a few minutes later, just after less than 10 hits...is it the weather ?

[Pan-Chan]

The only way a shinai, of any type, would break after only ten hits is either because the kendoka is hammering with it, or as you already suggested, the weather is very, VERY dry and the shinai hasn't been oiled regularly.

I live in a fairly dry climate, and I need to oil my shinai weekly to prevent splintering. I am guessing it is much dryer there than here, so I would definitely oil my shinai often. Try experimenting with different all natural vegetable oils.

And just incase you do, don't leave your shinai in the car, or in the sun.

Well that's my two cents.