I totally agree. They are worth the time invested to get them honed. I have a handturned all natty zebrano and have been playing it for months and you can hardly tell, looks like its been played for a week or so. Its a little on the heavy side but it slays for days.
My first kendama was an apple green KCN battle (2nd gen) sold to me at my doorstep from @htimSxelA back in the KE days. I beat that thing up. The 1st gen KCN battles were some of the best damas ever made. Just ask @RodDama ! As a first kendama recommendation, it really does not matter what kendama someone starts with. The basics can be learned on pretty much anything!
My first was the the red TK16 Master pictured below. I only got to play it by myself for a month or two in Tokyo before the guys at our ramen shop in Manila decided that they "needed" it and wouldn't let me have it back. It was played at the shop by anyone who dropped in until I retired it last year so it got 4 years of pretty rough use. I went out as soon as I was back in Tokyo and got another exactly like the first but it's still "the second" one. Would I recommend it to a beginner, I have and do every chance I get. It's a classic. (note the small red stamp at the back bottom of the ken, that's my "hanko" or name stamp in Japanese.)
Hey guys, what is your first kendama? And I would be happy to know if how did you get your first kendama? :3 And also send some pics here if you still have it. I got mine last 3 years ago on a Restaurant Anniversary contest here in the Philippines and my friend got me hook on joining for their beginners level, then suddenly I just placed 2nd but still happy that I got my own kendama after borrowing my friends kendama and trying hard for the tricks which is moshikame :3
I had this really weird no name bamboo kendama. It was really small compared to even a really small tk16. My second kendama was also a no name kendama although its basically just a knock off kusa tribute.
I bought a red ozora on a trip to Tokyo. I don't use it as much anymore but it's still such a jammer. <3
A sweets f3, mossy(70/30 white to green fade) with A-tack. Shredded it, and I still use it occasionally for BBs because it's super honed for them.