Haven’t seen a post about this but if there is one please merge with the original thread. After Jake’s departure with KendamaUSA, Grain Theory is entering the Kendama scene with an “affordable” GT-E1 (E1=Everyone) for $35 USD. The shape is basically a GT-1 but manufactured overseas. The tama has two different designs which feature a DWI sticky AF paint. I just want to hear what people think of this move by GT. From a consumer’s standpoint, I love this. This is definitely going to help GT globally and create an influence on other countries where Kendama is getting popular. Just want to hear other people’s thought on this Kendama by Grain Theory.
Hopefully the move will strengthen the company so they can keep putting out sick stuff. I will probably be getting Roku and my boy is getting stitch
In my opinion, this is a great move by Grain Theory! It helps address one of the main complaints of Kendama Players when it comes to GT, and that's the limited supply. You could argue that the "small batch" mentality of Grain Theory helps build its brand and prestige, but at the end of the day, this is an unnatural restriction on supply that some, if not a substantial part of the community, may not have a good opinion of. To add to this point, people may get turned off by the fact that these are Made in China and not in the USA, and it's a fair point. However, I advise people to get rid of the mentality that a product is bad just because it is made in places aside from the USA; to drive this idea further home, some of the best kendamas on the market right now (Slaydawgs, Primes, Pops, Kaizens, etc.) are not made in the States. Sure, you could say that because these kendamas are made in China, they won't be up to the quality expected of the Chattanooga GTs (which is not to say that they'll be of a bad quality, just not "Grain Theory" levels of quality). I conceded this as a fair point, because a batch of 100 made in your backyard is better monitored than a batch of 1000 manufactured across the Pacific. In my opinion, though, GT won't compromise their quality too much because GT's entire brand, marketing, and core company philosophy is based on delivering quality product to the kendama player. I'm all for the move. Also, for those GT sticklers who are finnicky about the traditional Small Batch, Made in USA Grain Theory, this drop doesn't mean that they'll cancel the 30 second wonders that are GT drops.
While my opinion may be unpopular, I still want to put it out there. I don't really like the idea of mass produced Grain Theories. I like the fact that owning a GT is different than any other dama. I like that the mentality of the company is small, quality batches. Don't get me wrong, I don't mean any hate towards GT or anybody else. I also have never used an E-1, so I don't really have any solid ground to stand on.
I feel like a batch of a thousand is not that big of a number. Also from a business perspective GT built their reputation by delivering great products, great designs in drops which were gone faster than the new rimac (one for the carguys) GT now continues the much loved shape but more affordable with better stock which will make them more money to invest into developing new shapes which will be exclusive to the small batches (at first probably) Personally I'm stoked to get the chance to cop a GT for my budget (student life = broke life you feel me)
Well considering I've been jamming mine for the past week, I like it. Paints dope, shape is almost identical to the GT-1, and it only cost me the price of one GT-1 ken to get both the Roku and the Stitch. And here's why I think mass producing was a necessary move (even if a part of me does agree with the fact that GT was dope because they were only American made small batches). Jake left KUSA to take Grain Theory to the next level. We've all seen how the Pops and Primes are killing it over in places like Israel and Romania, and having GT-1s for sale probably wouldn't work since their competition would be on sale for a much cheaper price. I don't think Jake's the type of person who's in this for the money, i think he would've stayed on KUSA if that were the case. They made the decision to mass produce because they want to spread Grain Theory to those parts of the world that don't know about it, or just know about it and know how expensive they are and don't buy them for that reason. In order to reach those places, you have to offer an affordable kendama. Part of me definitely wanted Grain Theory to stay small batch in America. But in the world we live in today, especially the kendama community, I feel like it's really hard to stay afloat as a company when your cheapest option is $60. At least with the E1 being an option, there will be another option to have. You want higher quality (and quality control)? Pay a higher price for a GT-1. You don't really care about quality, but you wanna rep a GT? Substitute high quality/price for a lower priced, still quality (but not as high of a quality as the American made GTs in Chattanooga) E1. The E1 was literally made for everyone to have since everybody and their mother were always complaining about never being able to get a GT because of the small batches.
Anyone got experience with the Roku design? Is tracking the hole difficult because of the multiple lines?
I think this is a great move for GT. Finally they have become accessible. I’m sure this is going to be a huge success, which means even more to come. I can’t wait till the day I can snag a full maple KA mod, and if you can get one for $40, who cares where it’s made. GT won’t sell their brand short on cheaply made crap. Trust.
It's a fantastic decision. By making the E1s available at a larger quantity, and also available to brick and mortar shops around the world, the E1s act as a "gateway drug" to further strengthen the motivation of buying the more premium offerings. Making use of DWI's factory and paint serves as a good way to bring the cost down, and to the haters saying it's crap level Chinese quality, they forget that DWIs are made there too.
Here’s a couple of places you can get the GT-E1. Fantastic that they’re able to reach so many countries cause I love the GT team. They really need more recognition globally since they’re pushing Kendama to a whole new level with their sponsored players.
On FKC i believe someone said that it’s through the same manufacturer as Krom and Sweets as well (if anyone else can verify that). So if you love DWI, Pops, and Primes you shouldnt have to worry much, if at all, about the E1 quality