I've given in and after first learning about kendamas about 3 months ago, I would finally like to buy my first kendama. Does anyone have any recommendations for a solid beginner kendama?
To be quite honest the type of kendama matters far less than who you get it from. It would be best to get one from someone local to you that wants to help get you into it, but if you don't have that, I'd be glad to do that for you. Shoot me an email at micjosree@yahoo.com or DM me on instagrama @micjosreedama or Facebook Michael Joseph Reeves
#1 Keyaki Oozora / plain wood Oozora #2 red TK-16 / plain wood TK-16 #3 Kaizen half-split natty/ghost #4 Sweets F3 - cushion paint I remember when I first started playing... I would get a few different kendamas each time i ordered new setups. Sometimes it helps to have a few different types to develop your feel... or if certain setups tend to do tricks a bit better you can swap between setups depending on what you are trying... one can be a 'beater'... maybe like an Oozora, a Krom, a Ken USA & a Sweets. such different feels between those four.
I for sure think your first dama should be something not crazy expensive, something you can really slam on. I recommend natty tk16s for such a dama. Just tanks, and they have small bevels which will get you more honed in.
Totally agree with that. Def wouldn't recommend learning on a sticky paint or a big bevel i feel like it would handicap you.
I'm with this comment! These are all collection staples; It's definitely nice to own a few different options to try out and see what you like. My first 3 kendamas were a KUSA Silk Kaizen, Sweets F2 aTack, and Ozora Galaxy. Purchased them all within the span of a month or so, and it allowed me to try out a wide range of different paint finishes. But if you're gonna go with just one, a TK-16 as a first dama is one of the best choices since your first kendama is guaranteed to be destroyed, and TKs are very durable, and good training damas. If you can learn balance tricks on a TK, you're going to be so good at them when you upgrade to a cushion or silk paint.
KendamaCo still has their liquidation of super cheap damas for sale. Like 5 bucks for a Shenzu which is a good beginner dama. Although something non-glossy would be better for getting into lighthouse tricks
Can't go wrong with a silk Kendama USA Kaizen for a first dama. Recommend half or trip split for good tracking.
@CCS_dama knows, get that red or natty TK16, hone in on it. Kendama is hard. Also pick up something rubbery and striped, kaizen halfsplits are very solid all around.
My first kendama was a alex smith pro model and then I got the colin sander pro mod. I recommend though an ozora or tk16 painted kendama.
hey honestly don't get one that is TOO expensive... if you like 'dama then get the more expensive ones.... sounds like common sense but people at my school get super expensive damas to start off with and then they figure out dama isn't for them... soo go with a kenco dama or a kenusa one or even a sweets... best wishes bro!
Is something like the Colin Sander pro model different than a regular Kendama? I also want to get my first one, and am trying to decide which I should get. Do any of them make it easier for 100% n00bs?