I'm looking for a nice high quality natty kendama, going to play it religiously. I currently own a Slaydawg and a Kaizen 2.0, I much prefer a slimmer shape with bigger cups. The shape of the Slaydawg isn't my favorite. I'm considering KUSA Crafts, PNW pro mods, Sweets HG NG, or should I just wait for the next Grain Theory drop in July? I'm impatient but there is character building that can occur with delayed gratification. Someone tell me what to do.
That gt terra mashup is sick if you're looking to spend that kinda dough. Terraply is way different than regular spec. So it has my vote.
True that bruh. @lategreat808 But alright @imhellastupid gt has a lot of stuff in stock. But ur waiting for the pro mods?
I would say get the PRO MOD PNW because it will last a while and probably be one of the best nattys you will ever have.
KUSA Craft is my personal recommendation. I've gotten both the slim and regular one but I think I like the slim more. The slim is a tad bit lighter (high 60s to low 70s depending on what you get) but it's great for lunars and slingers. The Tama is a natty and it takes time to break in but I really like them for stalls like birds and stilts. If you go for the ash slim you might be able to get a heavier setup.
I'm interested in the PNW pro mods but I just don't know that much about them... How does the quality compare to GT?
GT has mods and PNW seems to be just normal kendama without anything special features. They are both good quality.
I would go with the PNW pro mods. I have one on the way and also have a GT1.5 I've been jamming a lot lately. But the 1.5s arent dropping any time soon but the PNW pro mods are still in stock. Plus each pro mod is extremely unique, from other brands as well as each other. Havent seen anyone say anything negative about PNW, but you'll really only form your own opinion after you've played it yourself.
I've never played a PNW but my GT-1 Stodd is my favorite Kendama. I have a bunch of OG HG and a Craft Slim all of which are great and unique, but the GT-1 feels so good. I am super hyped for the 1.5. Personally I might grab a PNW pro mod now and cut some corners like fast food or coffee shops or anything and save up for a GT1.5.
It's not about the quality. It's about the shape and the playability. The GT-BH mod is a beefy ken with a Tallboy spike, mostly honed for lunars and stalls. The GT-KA mod is a bit larger than the GT-BH mod, and overall (I think) slimmer than your average GT, with a 1.5 Basecup and a Double Bevel for stalls. I haven't played a PNW (only my friends), but its shape really takes people by surprise. It's good for stalls, and as a natty (when you put in work, AKA sweat) it has a pretty good tack from what I've heard. And it's a pretty good shaped ken from what I've seen and played. The tracking is unlike any other, the wood combinations are insane and for a USA made Kendama, it's pretty cheap. So it's compared to a 95$ Kendama that will probably sell out in 1-2 days (sometimes prone to chipping). Or a 20$-70$ Kendama that is durable and will most likely last a while.
PNW's are kendamas. They have slightly larger cups than JKA, Kaizen 2.0, RWB classic, OG HG, but similar to #GIVEADAMA and NEXTGENHG. Cups are deep, and all three PNW's that I have are range from1.7g-3.6g in tama:Ken difference. They each came with a spinner. They are well made with sharp edges, wide bevels, and thick spikes. The ProMods offer a variety of woods that are uniquely paired from any other manufacturer. Two of the five tamas have beechwood at the ana lessening the break in time to help make stalls stick more consistently.
This is good input, I'm incredibly indecisive and really wasn't sure about the PNWs. I think ultimately I'm just going to wait until the GT drop.