Buying shinai online

[coldsunlight]

Hi guys,
so i've been practicing for more than a year now and I need a new shinai. I live in a very random area in the middle of nowhere so there's barely one store to buy kendo stuff and I don't really like the quality of my first shinai bought from this store, after comparing to my senpei and sensei 's way better shinais bought from other places (seminars and stores in other places that they went to).
I'm afraid that I cannot choose my mono-uchi of the shinai so I am very hesitant in buying one online. Also, I'm a gril and I need a 38 but not all the listings on ebay are 38 so I'm wondering:
-can anyone give me a review of buying shinai online? has anyone had problems with those stores before?
-is there any lady out there using 39? I'm short so I dont know it would turn out ...
and thanks a lot for answering!

[ArcticBlizzard]

Ask your sempai and sensei about the online stores they use, just ask them for advice, I'm sure they'll be happy to help you make the right choice.

When ordering shinai it's often best to order a couple a time so you can lower the costs for shipping for each individual shinai. Just ask around if other people need shinai or how these people normally get their shinai when living in a random area in the middle of nowhere We always try to order a few shinai at the same time because each individual shinai would cost around 15 euro in shipping fees. This way we share the shipping costs and save money.

I used nine-circles, a british company who have just branched out the USA. I only have experience with the British branch but it's very enjoyable shopping for shinai, good service and quick shipping.

Again, I would ask your sensei of sempai about using a 39, you could perhaps borrow a shinai and see if it suits you or not.

Good luck!