Hey everyone, Every Kendama is definitely unique in its own way, pieces of art at least to me. Of course each one has its own weight, and people take the liberty to customize theirs (which I strongly support!!!). But sometimes kendamas have their own little imperfections like wormholes or birthmarks the wood has recieved in its past life before becoming the toys we know and love! This is a cookies ken from Backwoods Products that has a little wormhole in one of the layers on the little cup! Shout out to Backwoods Products for the awesome kens, the guy is putting in work. This is just a printing/burning hiccup on a walnut GT-E1, but I threw a natty walnut Tama on it and BOOM! Too clean if you ask me haha Let everyone see the unique imperfections that make your kendama perfect! Custom kendamas and unique wood grain patterns are always welcome! I’m new around here, so if a related post to this topic is around let me know! I don’t mean to step on anyone’s toes and can get rid of the post.. Hope everyone has a great rest of 2018
If you look back on RWB's instagram you'll eventually find pictures from their Reserve collection. Wood blocks that had knots and birthmarks that were still turned into kens and tamas but they were turned so that the knots and birthmarks were prominent in the design which gave it a hell of a lot of character. Don't think I've seen it done anywhere else or since (about 2 years ago was the last I remember them being dropped)
Just took a look, and woah... now that is what I call unique! Quick link if anyone wants to take a look at one: Appreciate the heads up, exactly what I was looking to see! I wonder if someone on Downspike has on in their collection Really dig the Rez ken collab with them as well,
I think these 3 are the prettiest kens I own just due to the unique blemishes on them. (Reclaimed elm, Maple (slim), Maple Nick G ken. The nick G is kind of hard to get a shot of, the cups have those stripes like curly maple but the spike has marks I haven't seen anywhere else.
Awesome damas! Don’t get me started on those tamas ha, so clean! Did you paint them yourself? and How’s the reclaimed elm play? Love the wood color and that upside down seal haha
That bulbasaur guy was done by Kayadama, unfortunately he is no longer in the business, was a cheap EU artist who did great work tho, the craft was done by Tyler over at Kendama MPLS. I have been reluctant to play the Elm too hard as it is one of the rarer pieces in my collection, it is kinda light so I try to be careful with her. Plays pretty well tho considering I bought it to be more of a shelf-dama!
Great work by both guys for sure! I’m a big fan of custom dama artists, I’ll definitely have to look them up, thanks for sharing man! And I completely understand where you’re coming from with the elm, that’s some wood with history... you have my support keeping her mint!
That first one is gnarly! Like two interesting eyes looking to sesh haha And of course you can’t go wrong with awesome Crafts, and slims at that... Thanks for sharing man!
Hey all , actually I have a few Reserve pieces that I was able to get my hands on! I will post pictures of these when I dig them out from my collector vault . They had only a few rare releases and of small quantities. The last I believe were two Kens, around 4 individual Tamas and maybe one complete. ( I could be wrong completely) .. These were and are definitely amazing pieces. They were woodburned in a hidden spot with the # in the release they came from and came with a RWB Reserve stock card from the guys that made them personally stating about the piece and how they are truly 1of1 and that it's your choice to Slay or Display !! The Ken I was lucky to get had Burl in the exact space for the string hole went ,and that's how it is strung !!! Give me a day to dig them out for you !
Love that collection as well Sam ! Think you snagged a Kayadama piece from me as well ! Just for your info , Jamie the Kaya artist which has always done amazing work has traded in the Kendama biz for his other artistry love . He now makes some amazing custom fingerboards if youre into them , or anyone else. I think he has become one of the most saught after customs on the market. He goes by WUSH fingerboards, and he's on IG that way if anyone is interested. I also may have a super rare Dark Zebrano wood Kaya ken available, brand stinking fresh, if anyone may want a Killer grained piece from a power custom guy. I'll post soon .
Chris coming in with the grails! Can’t wait to see them!! Congrats on grabbing such gorgeous pieces man, I bet you have a stunning collection And shout out to Jamie the Kaya/ WUSH artist, follow those dreams right! Cool his awesome legacy of damas lives on in the community
Finally pulled my Reserve out for you guys . Sorry it took so long , holidays and job took me away for a bit