Krom, because they all fun-loving dudes who are "on acid" that make crazy good product, and GT because, well...best all-round in the game imo
This is off topic but what happened to Flow Kendamas. I new the owner Bo Thompson and repped the company way hard and knew a few of the members but then they just disappeared
Danimals acquired the company. I was on the team for a while. I have no idea what happened to them. I think they are just busy doing other things. I loved the s-Grip paint!!!
Actually, kaizen craft, graintheory, and RWB are manufactured by RWB. They are all partnerships, so they could be EVEN more seperate than Homegrown to Sweets
I know that this is a hard question, but is your favorite overall brand of kendama in regards to playability, durability, and looks?
I would normally say Kendama USA since I rep them hard, but in terms of the 3 criteria you listed (Playability, Durability, and Looks), Grain Theory. Super playable whatever shape you have (GT-1, GT-1.5, Stodd, BH, KA). Their raw ash tamas give you tack while retaining that natural feel. Durability-wise, GT makes their stuff from really durable material (Birch, Maple, Ash, Hickory, etc.). Even their spectras, if you break them in well and soften them up, aren't half bad. Finally, GTs are some of the sexiest kendamas in the market. So iconic you don't even need a logo on the dama to know that it's a GT.
KROM is probably my favorite brand because they have different shapes, paint, and clothing. Even though they don't have the best wood/paint, they have variety. Sweets only has the prime shape and KUSA only has the slim that like. KROM has quality damas for fairly good prices too.
Despite being a diehard Krom fan, i'm slowly being torn apart by Legaxis as well. Also, there are other brands that i'm yet to try (partly because i don't have the funds to), like Terra, the new KUSA offerings, REZ, etc.