what is better??

[SHONEN]

when i was looking for a shinai to buy i came across a traditional bamboo one and a plastic one. which one is better to buy??

[Neil Gendzwill]

As a beginner, buy the bamboo. The plastic (I'm assuming you mean Hasegawa carbon fibre) is 10X more expensive, and you'll break it nearly as fast when you're learning.

[Ralutin]

when i was looking for a shinai to buy i came across a traditional bamboo one and a plastic one. which one is better to buy??

Hi,

By plastic, I assume you mean the carbon-graphite shinai by Hasegawa?

Bamboo shinai are relatively cheap depending on the quality and can last a few months up to a year, provided that it is well maintained (i.e, lightly sanded and oiled to prevent splintering on a regular basis).

Carbon-graphite shinai are up to 10X more expensive than bamboo, but are very durable and do not splinter like bamboo. However, I've also heard from some people who use the graphite shinai that it feels like a dead stick in their hands and that it has less 'give' when a hit is imparted on an opponent.

As you are just beginning your kendo journey, I would suggest buying the cheaper bamboo shinai at first and trying out a carbon-graphite shinai after a year or two. If the carbon-graphite shinai feels good to you and you can afford it, I would invest in one.

[SHONEN]

thanx for advise

[Wout]

problem with a carbon one is that you will be hitting very very hard , because it gives you little feedback, which is bad for your shoulders.

[Mitsurugi_xx]

when i was looking for a shinai to buy i came across a traditional bamboo one and a plastic one. which one is better to buy??

I have a carbon shinai.. i can't remember the model i think ti's 39 CF... and it does feel like a dead stick... the balance isn't as good as say.. the ebogu bamboo shinais.. I've also hurt my left wrist using it when i over practiced with it...

hmm If you really like one... I'd suggest it for basic practice.. that's when you are likely to bust up a shinai.. and the added weight is good for practice. when you switch to a bamboo for free fights or tourney.. you'd feel faster. hope that helps.

[Neil Gendzwill]

The problem with suggesting CF for basic practice to a beginner is that he'll break it. Beginners clang so many hits off the mengane and hit so hard that any shinai will break, and an abused CF will break. Much better to get your first couple of years done breaking cheap shinai, and then if you like get a CF for everyday practice. They're very handy as no maintenance is required and if treated well last 10 years or more of recreational practice.

[Karaken]

The problem with suggesting CF for basic practice to a beginner is that he'll break it. Beginners clang so many hits off the mengane and hit so hard that any shinai will break, and an abused CF will break. Much better to get your first couple of years done breaking cheap shinai, and then if you like get a CF for everyday practice. They're very handy as no maintenance is required and if treated well last 10 years or more of recreational practice.

That's a good advice Neil even though I haven't seen any carbon shinai broken yet. I carry carbon shinai as a backup. I remeber busting two shinais one night ( One at first swing, second one an hour later - they were not cheap ones and I'm not a clubber ) so it's comforting to know that I always have a dependable backup. Also, I switch to carbon if anyone brings carbon to meet me.

Center

[Neil Gendzwill]

I've broken a couple of staves but my CF is 15 years old now. Another dojo member has also broken a couple through kind of freakish coincidence (big men strike straight onto the tip of the opponents shinai, kind of tsuki-the-stave).

[Shiro]

It might only be a feeling, but I don't like to work with carbon shinai, I feel they have a different balance than regular shinai. Anyone had the same impression?

[Karaken]

It might only be a feeling, but I don't like to work with carbon shinai, I feel they have a different balance than regular shinai. Anyone had the same impression?

They're definitely not Dobari-balanced ( I have CF not DB ) but I like the heaviness of it - gives me impression of having to swing with body instead of arms.( I have shortish Tsuka as well ).
Yes, I like the feeling and feedback of bamboo but Carbon has it's advantage of being dependable - I enjoy both.

Cneter

[ctan]

I use a DB 39 carbon for regular practise, and I actually like the balance of the DB 39. I got it after two and a half years of practise; I totally agree with the others on this thread, cheap shinais that you won't feel heartbroken about breaking are a must for the first year or so! It's just the nature of the learning curve, I think. The DB39 is still a little top heavy, but I think that's good for practise purposes (my 2 cents! ). In terms of "deadness" of feel, it's true, it doesn't feel as lively as a bamboo shinai, but I think the largest difference occurs mainly when hitting do. Bamboo feels (and sounds!) A LOT better in that case. But, when hitting men or kote, I think it feels pretty much alright, certainly acceptable. The real advantage is that it really is low (no!) maintenance, and that sort of fits my lifestyle.