Dude i just wanted to create the same thread Hope someone knows which will play better, cause i really want a craft
I have played both shapes, and I will do a little rundown on both. SHIFT: Chunkier ken, large cups, tight sarado. Feels similar to a modernized Kaizen 2.0. Quite good for lunars, and has a good shape for juggling and kenflip tricks. NOT ideal for gunslingers, butthey are doable once you get used to the shape. SLIM: It is actually VERY SLIM! When I first tried it, it almost felt like it would snap in half if handled improperly. Absolutely slaps lunars, and has speedy slingers. Performs quite comparably to a sweets prime, but it has even larger cups and a slightly larger tama.
Been looking to save up for either of the new Crafts. This is a nice breakdown of the two! Been a jamming a Krom Pop lately.How would you compare the Slim to the Pop? I'm starting to like slimmer kens but I'm still in love with the chunkier regular kens.
The slim feels more similar to a prime than a pop imo. The largest difference is the shape of the slip stop area. The pop has a very unique slightly wider area, where the slim has a sharp angular slip stop. Playability wise, the shape has the same all around playability as the pop has.
I totally forgot that Primes are on the slimmer side as far as ken shapes haha. I guess I wouldn't be too unfamiliar with the Craft Slim. Thanks!
Hey guys, Noobie noobnoob: Can I assume that something said to have "even larger cups" is a kendama that won't be accepted by a JKA board? (not that it would stop my world from spinning, but just curious) Also all things being equal, do you guys feel the new Slim is worth the price plus shipping? I have no problem paying north of 70 bucks for a kendama but maybe not if it's mass-produced. But again, noobnoob.
AFAIK and other more seasoned players can correct me if I’m wrong, the JKA monitors what kendamas you use for level rankings and JKA comps, which is why JKA approved kens have the seals they do. If you translate it, some will say recommended, which are used for some but not all JKA events, and others (I believe) will say approved, which I believe can be used for all JKA events. So you cannot use anything other than the JKA approved kendamas for competitions (no Sweets Primes or KUSA Shifts), and they must be in new condition (can’t use the Ozora you’ve had and jammed for 3+ years). @azleonhart or @goenKendama or @htimSxelA can probably give a better explanation than I tried to.
thx. And wow, that's so pre-ww2 Japan... they must be spitting blood watching all the talented kids playing everything but JKA kendamas...
There could be a few things I’m wrong about, but the JKA did just release the new Ozora RE-shape which has cup sizes comparable to Primes. The tama I believe has the same/similar paint as the Ozora Premiums which are pretty grippy.
Lots of info here: JKA Kendamas Ozora ReShape from Yamagata Koubou For more on the JKA related topics it would be best to take your questions over to the appropriate threads. (Updated for those who might have missed the point. )
I got my birch craft slim yesterday, and i really like the birch. Seems like its a wood between maple and ash in terms of grainyness and grip, if you can say it like that And in general the new crafts are way grippier out of the box, or rawer, in my experience than the old ones, which seem to have been sanded way finer.
Tough choice, but I probably lean towards the new slim a little! I like the sleeker ken handle, feels nice and agile in the hand. Locks in well for slings, but large cups still grab lunars well. All around shred!
Which wood do you prefer for it? I know maple's the staple, but which would you choose between the yellow birch and white ash?
Mmm tough call honestly. I just got an ash craft slim, and all of the prototypes I have from when we designed them are birch. I love the way ash plays, but it seems to have a sort of 'sweet spot' in it's lifespan, where it has awesome grip, that eventually diminishes. The birch is softer and seems to be more consistent, more durable too. I guess I'd probably take birch if I really had to choose, but its really just preference, I don't think any of the wood types they use are 'bad' by any means.
Honestly, I appreciate your input! I've been leaning towards the yellow birch right now. Been looking to get another natty dama but I just haven't exactly found what I want. I guess I just have to go and try them. Which can be pricey. Right now, it's a toss up among GT if they would release the BH mod, Terra with them Prefects obvs , and the KUSA's Craft Shift or Slim. Out of all of these, the Slim is the only one available right now so I'm wondering if I should just wait for other options. Thanks though!
Yoo fam, I‘m looking forward for a KUSA Craft. Do you think it‘s worth the money and can you suggest one from the current lineup ?