Obviously, many kendama players play and compete at multiple levels of kendama competitions; MKO, KWC, TKO, Battle in Seattle, etc. How do you choose which kendama(s) to compete with? Do you go with a kendama that you are absolutely comfortable with that's an all around jammer? Do you pick one that gives you an advantage for what competition you are entering? Or one that compensates for whatever tricks are your weaknesses that are in the trick list? A freshie to break in? One with a good slip/stick ratio? One that'll make competing even harder? Bonus question! How many setups do you take with you to jam when out of town at an event? (NOT specifically to sell and/or trade)
I usually pack around 10. Might not play all of them. But some for different occasions. And a couple id part with easily for trade or sell or to give to interested parties. But probably around 4 I would play a considerable amount and/or compete with. As for which ones I choose to use, usually those that best suit the style of tricks being done. Comfort factors in as well.
For comps, I live and die by my natty kendamas. My hands are naturally sweaty, which is unfortunate for social interactions but an absolute godsend for natty kendama play, preferrably for Beech and Bamboo kendamas since they absorb sweat and tack better. Otherwise, a Sweets Prime will do me good.
I always try to bring a wide variety. Usually at least 1 natty, 2 silk, 2 sticky paint, and 3 that I'm willing to trade. That usually means I have a good lunar dama, a stall dama and an all around jammer.
I feel like bringing something that has a stall-honed bevel and grippy paint still intact would be someone's best bet for open division in pretty much any event. Stalls are usually prominent in trick lists.
I'll usually pick 2-3 damas that feel really solid ahead of time, and practice/hone in with them, make sure they're broken in properly. Heading to the event, I'll pack those damas, and maybe a couple others that I want to show off to others at the event (new/rare kendamas?) Come event day, make the final call on which one is going to be used!
Definitely how I'm feeling. Trying to stick to 3-4 damas to bring, 2 of which to compete with for MKO next month (insert child-like squeal of excitement)
HAHAHAHHAHA!!!! Quickly heard some high pitched James Brown when I read that. @KeeganS Great thread idea btw!
I choose ones that are either good for lunars, slings, stalls, or a combo of all 3. I feel like my slinger game is better than my loons are, so I usually pick a dama that I can at least dub sling on but still slap some loons. I usually bring 3 set ups to events. I used to bring more but I realized that I really don't switch set ups throughout the day unless I have to
I like damas that are balanced, lunar balanced, slingable, and with good axe and underbird catch points. These days, I usually use natties, or some super honed painted dama.
I generally prepare damas that are (or close to) even weighted for them spacewalks, have great lunar balance and shred at birds / h-stalls.