So I'm trying to figure out what kendamas I should try out next? Im trying to decide wether to get multiple that are a little bit cheaper or to get a really nice expensive kendama? I was thinking of getting some kendamas form krom like some pops and a pro mod or a slaydawg or a krom deluxe. Or I could get some kendamas form kusa like a maple braymod, some Kaizens or something like that. On the other side of things I could get a grain theory, homegrown, or terra kendama? What's your guys advice? If you have any other kendamas you think I should try or other brands then feel free to give me your guys opinion.
So @Alex Hirota has had his purple heart spike homegrown for a month or two now. A high quality kendama, and he plays that thing so hard. Seeing how broken in a hardwood kendama can get, and how long it lasts just because of the higher quality wood and the higher attention to detail on the kendama, not only makes me want to grab my homegrown and jam on it, but also shows that taking a high quality dama and just shredding it to bits can last just as long as a couple beech kendamas.
If you already have a load of kendamas back home, i suggest quality (especially if you're going for a premium dama from companies like GT or Terra). Otherwise, if you're looking to build up your collection, quantity (with decent quality for price) from companies like sweets, krom, and KUSA is the way to go.
I think it is always best to buy quanity in the beginning to see what styles or woods you like the best, but once you know what you like find a really nice kendama with those features and pay a little more for it. I find that a lot of the time kendamas that cost a little more also last a little longer. Like my slaydawg is still in its prime but my prime maverick is already over the hill with half as many hours.
First off, try to assest the current situation when it comes to your playstyle & overall experienxe as a kendama player. For me, i just bought one whe i just started & it was a long grind before i get my shin fuji. Then another couple months till i get my keyaki shin fuji. Well the experience wasn't that much differ but the improvement really shows. Then constantly win some & earn some damas along the way. Now if you think you need an upgrade or amp your game, you can really try having some brands that are new. It won't hurt have 2 new damas minimum cause you know, grind till you destoy one XD ahahaha, anyways...2 is enought, esoecually if they are the same variant, so the experience you want to have won't be that much of a compromise. there are more stuffs that can be talk in this matter, but this is the best i got, atleast in my experience... hope it helps
My timeline consisted of sweets F3 ->kaizen 2.0->sweets HG. Then from there, I mostly sought American made damas. That gauranteed quality (NextGenHG, rwb, PNW, yancy, terra) and different price points ($20-slate to $90 skateply LBB). I recommend RWB and yancy kens. They are less than $30 and pair well with any tama. RWB has traditional sized cups. Yancy has oversized cups with exotic/premium woods.
Wow your guys advice is awesome thank you so now I'm probably get like 3 krom pops and a phillip eldridge pro mod, or try to get the GT-1.5 birch beeswax edition, and wait for the kristian aynedter mod to come back and get that as well? What do you guys think?
it would be my first getting either of those brands so I'm really excited to how i like them! Also i could get a grain theory and a krom?
Oh jeeze your rolling in the dough. Why not grab a birch beeswax, as that is still basically a natty, and then grab a pop? 2 kendamas, a super boosted cups jammer that's the pop, and a gt that if taken care of will be incredible and last a while.
Quality doesn't always mean expensive. There are a lot of really good kendama out there for not a ton of cash. If you're looking for solid performers and you don't already have a ton of kendama laying around I'd go with multiple and varied mainstream kendama before going boutique or high end. Experience with different woods and styles will help making the higher end choices easier since you'll have a lot more knowledge to reference.
Great idea! Recently bought the raw oak GT- 1.5 when they dropped, and then got the GT-KA not long after. Absolutely love switching off between the two!
gonna buck the trend here and go quantity. there really isn't a one dama quivver, every kendama has its own features and a stallmaster probably aint gonna be a good lunar slayer etc. Plus me personally i am more likely to just clack a tk16 for 5 minutes than chasing something crazy hard on a rez all the time.
Why can't it be both? I definitely have some damas less than premium priced that slay or are just complete jammers for when I wanna go ham on something. Then I have my premium damas (which are all RWB Manufactured btw) that are my favorites, and can definitely take a beating as much as my 'cheaper' damas. Sometimes you just wanna play whatever catches your eye at the time, whether it's a spec GT or a glossy TK.
QUANTITY and QUALITY! Get as many Grain Theorys, Slaydawgs, and Crafts as you can. In my opinion, those are the top 3 kendamas as of now, so at least have one of each. And then, when you become addicted, become broke buying them
I feel like you are thinking of quality. These are all expensive and great Kendamas. They will last 2 to 3 times longer. Not like a prime, pop, or 2.0