I figured I would post a thread to share my thoughts on some underrated companies, or companies that aren't as popular at least from the US community I've been exposed to. I would love to hear everyone else's thoughts on any companies that produce some quality products but don't necessary get the attention/credit they deserve. #1 Kendama Israel (Kendama ISR) - I'm not sure I would count this company as underrated, but more as a relatively unpopular brand here in the US. Likely due to shipping and no US companies carrying their product that I'm aware of. However, KendamaISR has created or helped create a huge dama scene over in Israel. I have a few of their different kendamas, and have to say they are top of the line for mid-range priced kendamas! Their rubber paint is one of my favorites, and the longest lasting/most resistant to chipping I've played. I still sesh a beech 70/30 split, green and white (basically looks like coop's pro mod, but was made a long time ago) that's over a year old! Not all beech wood is created equal, and at least from what I've seen, they have the good stuff. If you have never tried one of their dama's, try and get your hands on one! Also, the Merkabah is probably my favorite company logo! Great meaning as well. www.kendamas.co.il/en/ #2 Active Kendama - I would consider this company underrated. I don't think they carry the reputation their product deserves. Not exactly sure why either. But if you have an extra $20, can't go wrong IMO. www.activekendama.com #3 Atlantic Kendama - I'm not sure exactly how I would categorize this company, but in short I think they aren't as popular as they should be. I think it's only a matter of time before more people have tried out one of their two new damas (Algae - all maple, Honey - ash) because they have by far my favorite super sticky paint to date, and can take a beating. They are also a bit less expensive versus similar damas from other companies. www.atlantickendamas.com #4 Yancy Customs - Now, I know this guy isn't that big yet, so I'm not sure if he is any less popular than his current capacity. However, I recently picked up my first kendama from this company and have nothing but good things to say. I got the new Apex 2 Rasta Stripes, its an all maple dama with some interesting shape changes to the ken. Slightly rounded cups for stalls, and the drilled out base cup for superior balance. The ken is a bird sanctuary. Yancy is also big on weight distribution, so the product comes perfectly weighted. I'm not just talking tama and ken match weight, but also the sarado/ken weight is spot on. For $30 shipped, I couldn't resist, and I'm glad I snagged one. Look out for more from this guy in the future. yancycustoms.bigcartel.com
Catchy Kendama - Is part of Yoyo Factory out in Arizona and has some pretty interesting products. The Air is an injection molded kendama with polyurethane rings in the cups to help with grip. They claim a weight balance within a few grams of the tama and ken and with their yoyo manufacturing experience in plastics they seem to get it pretty much right. The Street is a wood version of the Air with monster cups and their Standard has a wide shallow tama hole bevel for those who like to do stalls. 44RPM - Really innovative outside the box, though a bit on the novelty side, kendama and pill products. Flatpack Kendama and Flatpack Pill laser cut DIY kendama are really cool items. They also recently introduced a "regular" maple kendama designed by Takeshi Kamisato. @Mr. Von Braun any links for the brands you mention?
That's actually one of their pro mods! I grabbed that one recently, have yet to break it out to jam. @goenKendama I know!! So nice looking. They have some really unique designs and all different paint styles and nattys. Check out their skull design dama Been eyeing it for a while. Think I might just cop one before they run out. I also have a limited edition tree of life ken they did a while back. Really like that one.
Laced Kendama: is a newer company and still has good Damas and looks to seem to have a big future ahead of them http://www.lacedkendamas.com/ Fujin Kendama: has fresh Damas and a team of talented players https://www.fujinkendamas.com/
Niceeee, thanks for bringing them out to light, are you searching the deep web to find these kendama companies? Haha... last dama looks so clean
Haha, I've actually known about each of the companies I listed for well over a year now (with the exception of yancy customs). I'm pretty sure I found most of them either on YouTube or Instagram. Searching just "kendama" leaves a lot to filter through, but you catch everything from all over the world. And if you're referring to the picture of the Rasta Stripe I took, it is a super clean dama!
Shoutout to my Singaporean buddies, Cereal Kendama! They've been a driving force for the Singaporean kendama community, and produce some awesome products! Check them out at: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CerealKendama/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cerealkendama/?hl=en
I have yet to try a Cereal Kendama! I'll have to try and get my hands on one to try out. I have heard good things about them in the past though.
The peeps who run the company are awesome people. Always stoked to have a drink with them i'm down at Singapore, and try out their products. Pretty fortunate to have two of their kendamas, both have amazing coat and paint, pretty durable, and crazy affordable! I'm pretty sure you'd enjoy one!
I'm not sure if many slayers in the community know about this brand, but 37th Kendama hasn't been mentioned much here on Downspike. Based on what I've seen, they seem like a good company with good damas. @azleonhart , you should have some experience with some of these damas.
I know that their instagram is @37thdama, but I'm currently trying to find their website if they have one. I'll update this post as I go. OK, it looks like the only way you can order/buy these damas(or any that they carry) is through Facebook, but I'm still trying!
I forgot about them! 37th Dama is a Singaporean company, they make pretty good stuff too! Yet to own one from them, but the owner is a good man and a close friend. Genuinely passionate about kendama, doesn't make products to fill a gap, and quite reputable in the scene as well. No website, thus far. Send the man a DM on Instagram, i'll help make sure he replies!
@RyanArthurWalker Absolutely man, Atlantic deserves it! Not even just because you guys make quality product, but also because Atlantic has been such a big supporter of the community! Much respect.