I've got a couple questions about natty but first, AM I THE ONLY ONE HYPED FOR THE NEW GT PRO MOD RELEASE?! So with seeing this kids release I really like Ben Herald mod but was wondering, are natty's tacky?? Slick?? Do they get better or worse with time??
The model you ask about comes with Gt's signature raw ash. This type of tama is not sanded down to a finish, so the grain has hair-like ends to it. This adds friction. It gets tacky with play.
The GT raw ash has decent grip out of the box, but i believe with prolonged play, will improve as you get used to its characteristics. Natties, in general are neither tacky not slick.. At least, that's what i believe. It's feels a wee bit slippery, but still grippy at the same time. It's right in between tack and slick.
@Q Miller-Edwards Recently had the opportunity to try out a couple of new RWB natties. The Ash tama Hickory ken feels great but the all Red Elm is, as a fellow player says, "magical." I really wasn't expecting to like it as much as I have but I've only been playing it a few weeks. They are most definitely slippery compared to sticky/tacky paints but, depending on the finish, I personally don't think they're too terribly different than standard "no voodoo" glossy paints and actually better than some of those. I will say a high polish finish on a hardwood natty is often pretty evil right out of the box.
If someone isn't trying to land border balance then it's less efficient at spiking and a touch-up might help out play in general.
Some people need to justify getting a new kendama I guess or they just really don't want to break out the sandpaper.
I always need an excuse... "Wow! What a beautiful day!!!" "Oh it's my half-birthday today!!" "By George! It's Father's Day!!" "Happy anniversary honey!" *Then I buy myself something…special* Lost a few pounds? "Hot damn! This kendama stuff is really paying off. Maybe I should cancel my gym membership." *Buys another Dama with money saved* "Did that light just turn green?"
As a nOOb I'd like to know everything about dama like crazy. So I'm looking around the forum for images of worn out/used dama. Reading on this thread, my curiousity is somewhat naive. I was only imagining of the dents on the ball and the worn out kensaki and cups edges. And at this point, it doesn't matter. Some will have an excuse to play another kendama and other must play another kendama when they are damaged beyond repair and or playability. Still, it's interesting to see some.
With the new epoxy tip method I've been using none of my current line up have beat tips but when I get to Manila next month I'll check our demo table and see what we've got there. They've all seen multiple resharpenings but I retipped them about 6 months ago so they may be ready for it again. I'll shoot some photos if there are some good examples of regular wear.