#BambooGang!!! I love bamboo to death; the only thing I don't like about it is that it isn't as readily available as other woods.
I never got the love behind maple, it's durable, but it always seemed like a rather slick wood that took forever to break in. I'm all about that bamboo and hickory life though.
I am personally on the maple ken life. It is so much more durable and sleek. The only bevels that are good are beech or raw ash. Nothing else can be better.
I love that I’m reading the replies to this post as I’m on my lunch break with my maple NG Homegrown setup in front of me lol.
Any of the top of your mind that doesn't? I've tried natty maples from KenUSA, HG and KROM and while I've tried some that are grippier than others they seem to have nothing on the grip found on other woods to me.
If you could get a hold of one, try looking for an RWB or Craft Kendama. I used to own a craft slim and the tama was pretty grippy, though I find that it was an exception to the rule.
KUSA 2.0s were pretty slick to start, Krom stuff is probably about the same. The most recent HG I've bought was a few years ago (before the next gen shape was launched), so I'm not sure how they're finishing them these days. Craft stuff has a less polished finish for max playability, keep your eyes out for the next time they're in stock. I pretty much guarantee thats a natty you'll love! (also, in general if you finish a maple ken and an ash ken to the same grit, they ash will probably have more grip. I just meant to point out that super polished maple is slick and will break in slower, so if thats your only experience of it, there is much more to explore in 'less-finished' kendamas. Similarly, a highly polished ash ken will be slippery af, its all relative)
This whole thread dude. I do a lot of the stuff people are calling out and it's kinda making me feel super down on my game. :/ I've never seen someone do ANY flow line or any trick in general and thought "wow that's lame" or "they should beef that up". Idk man, I definitely don't play for other people's approval. I play, and I always have, because I enjoy it. The day that stops is the day I quit. But some of these replies are gonna have me thinking next time I pick up a kendama
These posts are all personal preference. I did a few things mentioned here aswell and felt bummed about it. But then I realized I can see it negatively or simply try to avoid/change my habits - this helped me for example control my string / untangle it without my second hand etc. Never let other peoples statements affect you or your way of playing - unless you feel like their statements help you improve your game.
In response to @Randy Cornett's statement, I think differently. This thread isn't really a "call-out" thread, but more of a healthy way for DS users to vent their frustrations about certain aspects of kendama. It's much healthier than voicing out your opinion on, say, FKC. That's one place that torches you on the daily for having an unpopular opinion on something and is best avoided.
I totally agree w you and @Emil Apostol I don't see any drama on the thread, and there's been no straight up trash talk, I just didn't know most people's standards were so high lol
Take some of these posts with a grain of salt. A lot of this is just people having a good-hearted laugh.
Since we're on the topic of FKC, While I do acknowledge that FKC is a positive for the most part (it still is the largest gathering of kendama players online), we could do without all the trolls on there. They give the group a bad name, and it's why I chose to devote my time to DownSpike for kendama matters. I only ever go on FKC for kendama news and to post my clips.
A bit late, but would also like to add that a number of these posts could be considered pet peeves for individual/groups of players, and are not necessarily wide spread enough to be a 'trend'. I know I'm guilty of making such posts here, but again as mentioned above, these posts aren't meant to start drama or controversy but to just vent out frustrations.
Recently a few kendama players have been posting mid-level marketing stuff on social media, seems like a scummy way to take advantage of followers to me.....
Aww man, that sucks. Who in particular, though? I don't think I've encountered anyone on my instagram feed who seemed shady.