Shinai recommendations

[Hai_hai]

What brands/models of shinai do you use/recommend?

[Steve]

If you can afford them, go for a "dobari" model shinai, pre-treated bamboo, etc....

If not, or you have a tendancy to break your shinai frequently just go for the cheap kind.

Carbon shinai are nice, but expensive. They're great for regular practice, but i recommend using bamboo for shiai.

Guess it all comes down to money.

[JSchmidt]

Whatever you are comfortable with!.
Most people seem to prefer dobari-style shinais, but for me, the plain vanilla shinai does the job just fine. Granted, I do jodan most of the time, where you get no real benefits from a dobari, but even when I practice chudan, I don't feel any real difference in my kendo, whether I use a $100 super-deluxe dobari turbo shinai or a $20 plain one.

Jakob

[KhawMengLee]

Hehehehe....well, said Jakob.

Like Hendrix man, it was his fingers that made the sweet melodies happen, the guitar was just a tool to deliver them.

Aplly it to kendo, and its you, not the shinai, that will make the cut happen...:D

[aru-ma]

true to that Meng, but even Hendrix needed a finely tuned guitar to produce such a sweet melody.

In saying that I've only used $15-$30(US) shinais.

[KATSUJIN]

Don't mind but if I were u...I would rather use any shinai that is my hand....it is not good to develop a habit of getting comfortable with one particular shinai....just use any when u one to...

[KhawMengLee]

heh, I like using nice heavy ones in practice and then 2 weeks before shiai I go for the lighter ones.

[Paburo]

if you are conan, go for the kendoshop.com's 12$

if you are a moderate person, or a girl, your shinai will probably last way more and it wouldn't hurt to buy a more comfy shinai on the range of 20-60$

[Tato]

Are you talking to me?
Are you talking to me?

Ok, you're lucky that this aft I won't go to training, but you will see tomorrow...

Signed: Conan.


By the way, I think that we can't compare shinai with Stradivarius, because we don't exepct to leave the shinai as an heritage to our descents. I believe that average shinai should perform well, don't go for the crap of the market, but neither need to buy Rolls-Royce like shinai.

Rei

[Confound]

As one of the aforementionned 'girls', I use an inexpensive 2,000 yen shinai. One shinai lasts me about 10 months, before the staves need to be rotated.

"Use what you're comfortable with" is good advice, but start out with a cheap one. If you don't like it, then you're not out much money. Try the feel of more expensive shinai by borrowing them from others for a few suburi.

c

[nollaig]

what about asking everyone in your dojo
can you have a swing with each of their shinai and see which one you like.
Your screwed if you like the $200 though!!!

[don_lubo]

Hasegawa CF-39

[hammock]

for the price and quality..
i suggest the Il Kum (translated into #1 sword in korean) from kendoshop. It has a nice balance and feel to it, and is recommended by lots of Kumdo professionals in Korea (and they aren't sponsored by Il Kum). I believe it is made from Korean Bamboo, and that is the reason it is a little cheaper..

higher up in price, but considered the top of the line amongst serious athletes is the Budongshim from Kendoshop... I tried my sensei's.. and it is nice, but expensive if you have to change it every 4-6 months.

Both Budongshim and Il Kum are famous Shinai in Korea, and Kendoshop is by no means the only retailer, but it seems that they are the only company I can find that sell online.

[dorkusxmaximus]

anything but a carbon,akatsuki shinai, and a chinese-made shinai.

[blur]

Originally posted by dorkusxmaximus
anything but a carbon,akatsuki shinai, and a chinese-made shinai.

Not a fan of the Akatsuki? I've got a thread about it elsewhere in this part of the forums... do you want to toss your 2c into it?

[Nishi]

Tozando 39standard "zen" dobari. I sand an oil every month and find the bamboo stronger and flexible.

[Nishi]

Update.
Originally posted on the Asatsuki thread;
_________________________________
I have just ordered two dobari from tozando and one was cracked and the other had no markings on it, specific brand name (it could be anything)etc.... Also the fittings have been reduced in quality. I have been ordering these shinai for over two years, and the declining quality has finally made me look elsewhere for shinai. I even put a formal complaint forward early this week, but alas, no reply. I'll do my best with these sorry shinai, and then im on to Asatsuki, no more messing with weak shinai from uninterested companies.

There, now i feel better.

[Goomba]

I'll use whatever shinai is at hand. I try to use different shinais all the time, but I prefer my Akatsuki chokuto 39.

It's not one of those funky curved ones.

[highelf]

*Strength and Honor*



NOW AVAILABLE FOR BOTH MEN AND WOMEN!!
Musha is a Dobari type shinai that has an excellent balance. "This is the Shinai that I was looking for. It was designed based on few of my favorite Dobari Shinais. I strongly recommend Musha for all levels, specially for Kenshis who are active in competitions and trainning." - (Taro Ariga CEO). The bamboo was specially treated for durability, giving a shiny look.
Approximate weight (assembled):
Men 39: 510 - 530 g (Bamboo only)
Women 38: 430 - 455 g (Bamboo only)


Musha complete Shinai for Men & Women KECHWESHMUS040Regular price: $98.31Sale price: $69.99

Ebogu

[Hongsermeier]

I love the feel of the Musha. Unfortunatly I cracked mine and haven't been ablt to practice with it for a few months. Got a new one to use for last weekends taikai. After not using it for a while it felt really wierd. Went back to my "cheap practice shinai" from Eguchi. :cross_eye

[m_french]

Mushas da bomb........portly but strong, remind you of anyone?!?!?!?!!?:beard:

[KATSUJIN]

i recently bought one from Kusakura....quite expensive but very nice....the balance is qute good too....

[Hai_hai]

Has anyone ordered an Aun shinai from Eguchi?

[m_french]

Picked one up last night .....Sweet!:beard:

[Hai_hai]

Before I found out about my current situation, I ordered an Aun shinai. Feels heavy.
Positive note, Eguchi ships their shinai in plenty of bubble wrap and a big red "Fragile" sticker is put on the outside of the box so the mailman doesn't punt kick it to your doorstep.

[Kendoka]

Originally posted by Hai_hai
What brands/models of shinai do you use/recommend?

I recomend that you use a shinai while training in kendo.

Richard

[Hai_hai]

Originally posted by Kendoka


I recomend that you use a shinai while training in kendo.

Richard

Hey, I make the smart arse remarks around here.