I know that the new Shift and Slim shapes from Kendama USA are now well over a year old now but with a number of new shapes debuting within this last year from both established and new brands will we see a new shape drop soon? The original Kaizen shape dropped I believe in 2014. The Craft line with the Craft 2.0 and Slim (original) dropped in 2016 with the Kaizen 2.0 following closely in 2017. Do you think we’ll see a new shape from Kendama USA? (Keep in mind I am not counting the Plus size variants from the first and current Craft lines as they are the same shape but in a larger size). Will they add a 3rd shape to the current Craft/Kaizen line entirely different from what they have now? Would that be something you guys would want to see come from them?
I don’t see KUSA coming out with a new shape anytime soon, unless they have a plan to revamp the less popular slim shape somehow. The shift is so unbelievably honed as is, I expect more new pro mods before new shapes, but you never know. So many new damas are out there now with oversized cups, a mammoth base cup hole, or whatever new thing sets them apart. However I think the more skilled a player becomes the less interested they are in which kendama has largest proportions, but they’re more geared towards balance and overall performance. My personal experience with the shift and the sweets boosted has led me to feel this way. IMO the new Slaydawg V2 is an example of how oversizing everything doesn’t necessarily make it a better performing kendama. I do think that this will be a time for companies that are behind the curve to catch up though. Smaller companies or companies that haven’t released a new shape in a couple years will start dropping new shapes for sure. Kendama Israel already has a Big Bro revision, Sol Kendamas has the new shape on the Liam mod, and more companies will be following suite. I’m looking forward to seeing how Kendama companies will keep the momentum rolling in 2020.
Honestly I wouldn't even care for a new kusa shape. The Craft Shift is almost as balanced and great as the Dao. The only thing they could change is make the cuprims a tad thicker. But that's just personal preference
Given how slow they were in releasing the slim and shift, I sorta don't expect a new ken shape from KUSA anytime soon. But we'll see I suppose. I'd tend to agree that if we see anything from KUSA in the near future, it will be new pro mods. I'd like to see Sweets bringing the boost shape to their lower priced damas, but I think the way they've been doing it is smart so far. By far the most excited I would be about a new shape would be a new flagship shape for GT to take the place of the E1.
I'm hella ready for a new american made GT shape to take the GT1.5s spot. GT2 or something. Not too crazy oversized specs but moderately sized (say Stodd v1 cups+) but thicker stallareas & handle
Realized I didn't actually answer this. YES. Haha I dig new shapes, and I would be hyped to see KUSA put out new ones. They just stagnated so hard for like a year in everything but their craft line that it's hard for me to imagine new stuff coming soon. That said, that was a pretty transitional period for them with Wiens leaving and such. It feels like they've fully course corrected into new gen with a string of edits, new players, and new shapes so we'll see what's on the horizon for them soon enough I suppose. I'd love to see Sweets picking up new players at the rate KUSA has been
Honestly, I'd be hyped if they did what Krom did and kept their E1 shape but just boosted it a bit. I've been jamming my E1s this week and I have to admit that they still slay. If I play an old Kaizen or Prime or something I sorta can feel that they're outdated, but I don't feel that as much with the E1.
Ha ha forgot the made in America stipulation. cant get away from the MIC these days in anything. The OG Stodd was a killer shape tho, and I had hoped the new Stodd would be that just boosted a couple %. Alas not, but the Wiens mod is pretty damn good and what I had hoped for the former.