When I go to websites that sell spectras (mainly GT or Sweets) they say that it is delicate. How delicate? I'm just wondering
Very delicate, if you drop one on cement at the wrong angle a guaranteed chip. Make sure to play a spectra over a soft surface.
agreed. spectras are have a higher tendency to chip. one reason: it's like multiply sheets of wood glued together compared to like a single solid block of wood.
They can be pretty delicate, but it all depends. Any kendama will chip if you drop it from a high enough distance or if it lands a certain way. Spectraply is just more prone to chipping because it is layers of birch wood glued together to make the patterns you see, so it is not like a single block of wood. However, there is a way to prevent chipping (sort of). While this method is not fool proof, I have seen it work with multiple GT specs. If you jam a kendama enough, the wood begins to feel "softer" and your hand oils cause the ken to get dirtier (for lack of better description). Same thing applies to a spec, and it actually kind of prevents chipping from occurring (from what I've observed). I get to jam with some GT players (kgtues crew), and they all usually jam specs. They do taps and instas all day long, and their kendamas don't chip. It could have something to do with the weather, that certain kendama, I don't know. But the main thing is that all of their kendamas feel like soft wood and have been jammed thoroughly. I had a friend who chipped his base cup by literally doing "basecup". It could be that his ken was way lighter than his tama and the force of the tama landing on the ken wrong just chipped it, but it could be because his ken was still fresh and hadn't had the chance for the wood to get softer. Again, all kendamas are different because wood is different. I can't confirm that this works, but it is just something that I've observed.
also, depending on spectras change sighting dramatically. I tend to notice GT's with a white spectrum striped are harder to sight for lunars. However, if you tend to change it so the design is facing sideways, and the stripes are on the front, it helps
I asked about this before and someone on instagram said to rub the littlest bit (literally the smallest amount) of baby oil all over the ken and let it soak in to help prevent chips. I tried this on my Grapevine HG and I believe it works. Haven't chipped at all... yet.
just don't do crazy amount of taps and always play with it on grass, if you do play it on a hard surface be very carfull not to drop it. once the ken and tama absorb the sweat from your hands it becomes more durable and less likely to chip (or prevent it from chipping longer)
You can either get super lucky and it will never chip, or it can chip on the first trick you're doing. You never know. If you live somewhere really dry, you might have more chances of it to chip and if you live somewhere it's more humid, it might hold up better. That said, the kenditioner (Kristian Aynedter's new product) will make your kendama more durable.
I only use spectra tamas that have cush clear on them so I wouldnt know. I always heard the spectra kens chipped so i just use hard wood for a long life.
Pretty delicate. Spectras are literally wafer thin strips of birch held together by an adhesive of some sort, making them prone to chips. Think of a 2-inch thick plywood, vs 2 inches of solid, one-piece wood. The inherent durability of each is vastly different.
While Spectraply may be more fragile than solid wood in kendama I don't know that I'd compare it to plywood. Other than the layered appearance I'm not so sure they are that similar. Plywood vs. Solid Wood.
It is more fragile than a solid hardwood but can still be fairly strong. If you're doing Insta's, it will eventually break. If you're doing taps, it will eventually break. If you're dropping it on concrete repeatedly, it will eventually break. That being said, the same thing will happen to any hardwood. If you are relatively new to kendama and can't do much, you don't need to worry about it.
Couldn't have said it any better! I've been jamming one I got used for a few months. Only damage was transferred to the tama. Spike dulls quickly, but I just keep shaping it up when I find it necessary. I glued the tip, but you can see the very tip has no glue and looks "raw." HG fruit punch.
First of all, how are the GT Spectrums created? Second of all, how durable are they? I heard they aren't as tough as some other Kendamas. For a novice such as I, would you recommend them?
@theinfamouspits Here's another thread where this topic is discussed: SPECTRAS? Most all spectraply is dyed, layered, and glued BIRCH wood. They are run through a CNC machine once the planks are dried and ready for machining. For a beginner, I recommend any kendama that keeps you playing and slayin. Yes they are "fragile," but not as fragile as you might be thinking. Just be mindful and don't slam it on a hard surface (to the best of your ability).
@theinfamouspits Merged with a previous thread on a similar topic. @Congarranza Thanks for the catch.