Hey guys I just wanted to ask if I should get a tk16 natty or a Keyaki ozora. The Keyaki is about double the price (I'm buying from Amazon) so which one should I get. Personally haven't tried either birch or Keyaki natties so I thought maybe I should pick one or both of them up for my next purchase.
Yaki! Though TK's are a close second, nothing beats a fresh oz! Especially if it's keyaki. Super durable, breaks in amazing, and it smells fantastic.
I have played a bunch of painted TK's, but never a natty. I know a lot of my friends would recommend both the TK and the Keyaki really high though My only comment would be that I think the TK tama bevel is on the small side (nothing you can't fix), don't know about the ozora. But in the end I'd recommend the TK, just because it is a perfectly good/pretty great kendama at a low price. Save some money for the next one, that's what I usually try to do.
I've wanted a Keyaki for a long time. Unless I'm mistaken (which is very possible) I don't think there are a lot of other kendamas out there that you can get in Keyaki. Ozoras are great, so it would really be hard to go wrong there. I'm getting my first TK this weekend, so I don't know how to compare the two, but I love my ozora.
Yea, Keyaki wood isn't very common, so its really only the Japanese brands that make them. You can find Keyaki Ozoras, Shin Fujis, Sangas, Jaks, and Musous. Japan doesn't really export wood, they're a small island so their forestry industry is small and domestic-oriented.
I would say go with the keyaki simply based on the fact that it will last a lot longer. The ozora keyaki is very slick out of the box though and will take a number of hours to break in. But to further point out...they do have that Shenzu for $10 on syndicate but they also have an awesome Yumu beech natty for the same price. Yumu natty is really good...just saying
Ozora has bigger bevel than tk16 which has incredibly small bevel my friend's tk 16 chipped and broke really quick altho its said they are really durable. I would recommend ozora
I've noticed a couple brands outside japan that do offer keyaki resemble more elm wood (which kind of makes sense since keyaki is a japanese elm) than what you'd see from ozora. In my pic from left to right i have my ozora keyaki, HNL keyaki, and Sol dark elm. The HNL keyaki is closer to appearance to the Sol elm. Could be how they treat the wood or something else, idk.
Neither are a bad choice. But imo it would be good to own a keyaki if its that cheap. It's really hard so playing it natty will get you really honed. The JAC new shape keyaki is the fire-est kendama I've ever owned.
From what I understand, the "keyaki" Shenzu's are really closer to a type of elm. It won't be the same as the Japanese keyaki.
Get the Keyaki Ozora if: (1) You don't mind it's unusual smell(it smells herb-like but the scent would gradually be fainter once you play it) (2) Want a very unique clack experience- it's really unlike any other wood- I would say on the lighter crispy side (3) Admire it's beautiful grain which only gets darker and more pronounced as it soaks in your palm oils (4) You are a fan of the ozora shape (which is pretty much the classic lauded shape) It also has a wider bevel Get a TK16 Natty if: (1) You want something that is extremely durable, they are crazy tanks and fantastic for bashing (2) Wish to train your spikes- as the bevel is smaller and forces you to be more precise. (3) Don't mind it's iciness- its really hard to break in a natty tk16 but isn't every other natty.. (4) It's solid clacks are extremely satisfying, cause it's birch. I'd say if your budget permits, just go for the keyaki cause it's rarer whereas a tk16 natty is more commonly found but either way it would be a decision you won't regret much cause both kendamas are really good jammers. :>
I've never played either, but to be honest, I've seen more people wth keyakis over TK-16s. Ozora's a brand that many people trust, but TK's are super durable, so if you drop your kendama a lot or you stab the tama and "spike hard catch low", then get a TK-16. If you like grain, the crisp sound of spikes, and just Ozora overall, then get the keyaki. Not many brands offer keyaki, so snag it while you can!