What are your guys opinion on smaller companys like Analog, Active... etc. Would really like to hear peoples opinions on this.
Honestly, for me, it depends on the quality of the Kendamas they put out, and their intention / what they do for the community. Analog is coming in with HEAT, AND they are doing a LOT of local work. Def doing things right!
I agree with Alex! It's half about how good & original their damas are and half of what are they doing for kendama? If they are just in it for money I usually won't support. IT'S about the players!
I usually don't support the companies that produce the same thing as everyone else. There's just so many of the same kens out but with a different logo nowadays that its like why bother spending my money on it? For example, "Hella Kendama" or "Sweet N Sour Customs" are 2 company names that I member from a while ago. Local homies would buy their kendamas and try to persuade me to as well. I would always hold out and say nah, which I'm glad about now because those companies aren't around anymore. Another reason is because its also about the purpose for making your kendamas. Can you provide something better than whats already on the market now? Why would I buy a small company's beech complete/silk kendama when I could just buy a kaizen that I know would support a company that has people continually trying to spread the dama love? Call it whatever name you want, a lot of damas have the same rubber or silk paint as one another if they're being made from the same place. Its quality over quantity for me, so I would rather put my money towards something that is higher quality instead of another generic factory dama. However, if it is a small company that is run by someone who actually plays kendama and is dedicated to the game, I wouldn't mind supporting them. An example of someone like this is Bryan Hansen. To me, he's someone who enjoys kendama and is definitely pushing some boundaries with his new content, so you can tell that he is dedicated to what he does. His shape for the V1 natty was tweaked to what he wanted it to be, it wasn't just another factory made dama that he slapped his logo on. He is someone I wouldn't mind buying something from. Short version: I support the companies that have good intentions, produce something original/high quality, aren't in it for the money, and do it to spread kendama.
Like the others said: - Are they doing good things for kendama? Usually this means supporting a local scene (though it can be tough to see evidence of this if you aren't local) - Are they putting effort into making original products? Too many companies offer basically the same damas... gotta keep it fresh! If yes to both of those, then they're on the right track, and deserve some love from the players. I've seen a lot of new companies come and go though, usually once the easy money in their area dries up, which tells you something.
I personally think that Active Kendama is overlooked. I'm not sure if they support a local scene per se, I don't know enough about them to make a statement on that but they do have pro models so they must be connecting with players and giving pro players a chance to get out there. I have boughten several cheaper kens from them and they held up great, in fact I used their v2 ken with a cushion to land my first lunar as well as a lot of other tricks for the first time, still using it even though I have "nicer" kendamas. I have only had good experiences with them. One time I bought a kendama from them that wasn't available anymore due to a glitch in their site and they sent me an upgraded version of a similar style and a natty kendama that I then gave to a girl at the Boys and Girls Club. Edit: So I did some more research on them to see if they hold any events or do giveaways and what not. Here is my final verdict on Active. Yes, they are wholeheartedly a good kendama company. They hold events at local skatepark and jam events at local businesses as well. They tend to connect with children in order to advance the next generation. They take part in tournaments, contests and giveaways. They give promotional deals on Instagram and make a presence known at kendama events. They promoted the kendama retreat as well....looks like they are an all around good company. Good customer service and their kendamas shred.
This is a topic I wonder about often, as a small kendama company owner we try our best to get out in the community as much as possible but you can never really know how many people you are reaching. I would like to know what do you guys think of Pineapple Kendama?
THIS! I also feel like from a business stand point, if a Kendama company doesn't do any of the two mentioned above, they're just saturating the Kendama market. More and more new Kendama companies negatively affect the already existing ones who do both of the things mentioned above, and beyond! If it's just another Kendama brand that doesn't put effort in giving back or reaching to the community, and if it's just another Kendama brand that doesn't have a new mission, or doesn't try to introduce new designs, paints, art, innovation, and developments in Kendama, then they just exist and aren't original. I feel like just sponsoring a jam or an event might not be enough either. Props to the people wanting to start a new Kendama company or who have already started. It takes guts, determination, and perseverance. You also have to know how to market well and branch out. It's a very difficult thing to do. But if you aren't offering anything original or aren't affecting the Kendama community in a positive way, it'll be way more difficult for you.
Dude your damas are sick! I've known Pineapple since it started and you guys grew really fast. I wish i could buy one of your kendamas but I've been getting a lot of freshies and I'll have to wait awhile.
They definitely help support all the events we have in San Diego and the SoCal region. They're real good guys.
I think that Fujin Kendamas is a good smaller company Isaiah Simonson the owner is a talented painter who is and really knows what he is doing and know what he needs to do for the community. If you guys haven't already go check them out they are releasing their V2 Damas soon.
Yancy Customs makes some awesome and innovative kendamas for super cheap, been a huge supporter of his stuff for a long time. Definitely worth checking out
@Ryan Trostle are you the owner of pineapple? Welcome to the forum! Out of curiosity, what sorta gameplan do you guys have for community support? Always interested to hear what others are up to!
Yes I am and thank you! As far as what we are working to do for the community is trying to make it to as many events as possible I want everyone in the community to know the faces of the company and know that we are not industrialized we are just a few people who love kendama and want to make good kendama people enjoy. I also want to have contest and giveaways to give back to the people that helped make Pineapple as big as it is today. And also we want to continue supporting the local kendama groups in our home town in Dallas TX
I believe that size does not matter at all in this context. More often than not, it's the heart that these people put in their products. And you can really see it for yourself; being a relatively small company in Singapore, my buddies at Cereal Kendama aims to bring everyone together in the scene, and provide affordable, but playable kendamas. I've received a couple of their products thus far, and the heart put in the work that they do, really shines through.