Curved shinai

[mystic_kendoka]

ur bending theory may not be correct if the bamboo was bent while it was still alive and growing, in which case it would have still be the same strength, which would also explain the HUGE cost of this goddamn thing

[Bleda]

I'm talking from an economically plausible standpoint. The demand for quality shinai already has the prices fairly high requiring everyone to use a curved shinai cut from a special made bamboo plant that can only produce 1 sword would push the cost of each shinai well above the price of bogu most likely. Even then the curved bamboo would not be as strong nor as durable as the straight shinai since when you hit it flexes downwards causing the fibers to stretch even more than a standard straight shinai.

[Hyaku]

Bamboo was thought to be a good material "because" of its flexible properties. These properties outweigh the fact that it is naturally straight.

If you really wanted to nitpick look a shot captured as a shinai strikes. Its curved on impact.

I would have said the purpose for most is more on "Can you hit the guy" rather than "Is it technical enough". Reach the age of fifty and you can spend more time on technicalities. Better still, for more in depth study do iaido or a related art.

But they are making some nice bamboo bokuto now. Why not use one of those? I'm all for it. Promise I won't stike too hard.

[mystic_kendoka]

yea and i'll use my white oak bokuto, i promise i wont strike too hard,

it just DOESNT make sense, no matter how 'softly' you hit, it'll still hurt like hell!

[Bleda]

yea and i'll use my white oak bokuto, i promise i wont strike too hard,

it just DOESNT make sense, no matter how 'softly' you hit, it'll still hurt like hell!

That was kind of his whole point Mystic...

[Anjin-san]

this article:

http://www.auskf.info/mainpages/article2.htm

although long, includes relevant history.

I think my sensei once mentioned to me that the reason the shinai was longer than the real sword was it was too easy to make valid cuts with a shorter weapon, and consequently for sporting purposes it was lengthened.

[Riczander]

http://budk.com/Swords/Full-Force-Bamboo-Bokken-Sword

I just ordered two of these and we'll see how they hold up.

[Lloromannic]

That...
That isn't a shinai.

[LowFatMat]

http://budk.com/Swords/Full-Force-Bamboo-Bokken-Sword

I just ordered two of these and we'll see how they hold up.

I'd wear goggles for when when it showers you in bamboo splinters!

The tsuka on that thing is massive (or the hand model is five years old).

Have to admit, though, for ten bucks I'd buy one if they sold them in the UK just for the novelty.

[Riczander]

I'd wear goggles for when when it showers you in bamboo splinters!

The tsuka on that thing is massive (or the hand model is five years old).

Have to admit, though, for ten bucks I'd buy one if they sold them in the UK just for the novelty.

The only real expectation I can have of something like this is the same that I have of other cheap shinai. We all know they come in a wide range of prices and qualities. I don't do kendo, but I'm with a group of people that free spar outside with shinai and bokken, we've been doing this for years. I wouldn't say this sword is good for kendo, but it looks like it would be perfect for the more acrobatic of us. I'll make sure to treat it with the same respect I'd treat a regular shinai of the same price. Meaning I will beat its bamboo brain out. We'll see how long it lasts.

[DCooper]

Perhaps this works ..... Hope the link works.

http://www.dfwkik.org/dallas/node/265

Ken Onishi men strike

[Kris]

I'd wear goggles for when when it showers you in bamboo splinters!

The tsuka on that thing is massive (or the hand model is five years old).

Have to admit, though, for ten bucks I'd buy one if they sold them in the UK just for the novelty.

A couple of guys at our dojo have these, not quite shinai but can be used for contact..........

http://www.playwell.co.uk/contact-ba...rd-p-2501.html

They sometimes use them for iaido, never seen them when we do kendo though.

[Kendoka]

dont you think its about time there was a curved shinai with a shorter grip and slightly heavier to make kendo more realistic (in regards to the katana) even though there are bokken aroun

Err, No. And you asked this question a bit late. About 13.5 days late.

[Raindrop]

Well according to some senseis you're supposed to be able to still "cut" with a regular shinai. It should be "more realistic" automatically if you do more old school kendo and cut down your opponent instead of "snapping" your shinai on the target. I don't understand too much about it myself, but that's what I've heard from a sensei in Japan. More or less the "realism" should come from inside you, and it doesn't matter if you use a regular shinai or a fancy new shinai/bokkuto crossbreed.

And if you think about it, on impact the shinai does become curved, doesn't it? :3

And aren't there some kenjutsu schools that spar with bokkuto? (outch!)

[Anorymous]

dont you think its about time there was a curved shinai with a shorter grip and slightly heavier to make kendo more realistic (in regards to the katana) even though there are bokken aroun

I so want me one of those.

I wholly disagree with the "heavier" part. Shinai might be lighter than swords, but their rotational inertia and air-resistance mean they do build arm strength. Plus, if they got heavier they'd be too dangerous to hit people with!