You can definetly get lighthouses on any kendama, just need to work on balancing it. When I had a keyaki ozora it didn't really become tacky, like Alex said, just a little more grippy. Lunars were definetly tricky on that dama, mine had a super short spike so it wouldnt really balance.
Sure, you just need to build the skills. A super-sticky kendama makes it easier, but it is possible to do lunars and lighthouses on any reasonably balanced ken. A honed natty will be easier to play than a fresh one (generally), but it doesn't suddenly change into the perfect, sticky dama, or anything like that. Put in work, and you'll be rewarded!
This statement is especially true with yaki ozoras. They take a lot of honing to get the grain to pop even just a little. I played one on and off for about six months and it was still fairly icy. However, I almost never missed lighties on it because it always allowed for that tama adjustment. Sticky kendamas land tricks easier but when the ken doesnt slap perfect, you are left with zero room for adjustment.
I had to work to get the Maple Ozora usable but my Keyaki was pretty nice. My "toothiest" Keyaki is probably my Shinfuji.
The finishing techniques used on the tama (and ken) will affect how it breaks in as well. A less-finished piece will break in faster, and be grippier to play right from the start (eg Terra Prefect red elm, GT raw ash, etc). In recent years, a lot of brands have improved manufacturing and aimed for nice finishes. This means the tama arrives nicely polished up... looks great, but longer break in period! Its a trade-off, each player will have their own preference for what is best / most beautiful.
Not sure if i'll do natty November fully / properly but the craft i won @ NAKO DS awards is such a banger that I haven't played much else since and as it's November now i i gue it's fitting lol
@htimSxelA It's actually a tama I had turned for me from a local. It's a curly maple wood. It's finished really smooth but it's breaking in after a few months
Thought I would bring this beauty back for natty November. Only seshed it for a while last year, but now I am going to hone this bad boy. It has fairly poor lunar balance because it is tall and heavy; by this time next month my loons are gonna be on point.
Damnnnn the Sol Flow. I have one that's been gathering dust since pretty much the day after I got it haha. Might be fun to dig out of the drawer and string it up.
You won't regret it, I forgot how good they play. They pull turns, trade spikes and slingers with the best of them. Mine is also super honed for slilts, which is suprising because the tama is rather icy still.
I've got the ash cups and it's pretty similar. I'm so shit at slingers tho that I've never really reaped the benefits. Definitely an aesthetically delightful dama tho.
Right there with you. It makes me look much better than I am with slingers and I'm hoping it has the same magical power that it did when I was learning pullup downspikes with it. For me different tools for different jobs and it fits nicely in my rotation.