How to Maintain a Kendo Shinai

It's crucial that you keep your bamboo shinai in good condition, for performance and longevity of your shinai, but most importantly for safety. Standard dojo etiquette disclaimer: If your sensei teaches you a different way, please follow your sensei's instructions.

[@carloseduardolijo9367]

Thank you Mr Shin. 8 years later and your tutorial videos are still the best.

[@vzdroidplayz]

His hands are so stable that it feels like I was looking at a .jpg

[@JoyM0Stratus]

Thank you for this video. You made it look simple and even pleasurable, to watch and to try.

[@denizsunay3824]

Thanks for Tutorial Paul Sensei

[@whyareyougay4090]

Thanks from Brazil / Belgium

[@naraferreira452]

Olá

[@whyareyougay4090]

@@naraferreira452 tu ainda prática ?

[@Sonidosilencio5512]

Thank you!

[@virusofmusic]

It was a pleasure to find your channel on yt.

[@TmGP222]

Hi Mr. Shin. Thanks for your videos, I have learned a lot from them to reinforce what I learn in classes. Question for you or anyone that can answer - I’ve noticed that over time (and sometimes even with a new shinai), the bamboo slats begin to separate from each other, leaving some mm of space between. Sometimes it is across the length of the shinai. Other times, it happens more in a particular place, especially the widest part. (I’ve heard this called either “do” or “harishufa”?) Is this a problem for safety, performance, or longevity of the shinai? If it is, is there a way to fix it? Even if it isn’t a problem I’d still like to be able to fix it. In my opinion it looks slovenly, aesthetically speaking. Thanks!

[@hannobaali_makendali]

⁠Never throw away a shinai. With a cane tip and bicycle slip-on handlebar grip, they make excellent walking sticks (canes). That is mines only purpose (and self defense if needed. ii practice). Use fishing-rod handle gripping heat-shrink instead of thread & leather.

[@reynaldohermoso3638]

Can you please upload a guide on preparing a brand new shinai, I've been told to use sand paper, oil and candle wax.

[@PaulHBShin]

No need to sandpaper a brand new shinai. Just use mineral oil (like in this video). And don't use candle wax. That's pretty annoying for practice partners because it will leave marks on their dou. Just be prepared to re-tighten the string after the first use since it'll stretch rather easily at first.

[@69darkapb420]

what is the name of the tool you use to file your shinai down?

[@PaulHBShin]

You can find it at most kendogu stores. Like this: www.e-bogu.com/Shinai-Fix-Tool-Bottle-Opener-Shape-p/hir-ken-shi-shfixtool-.htm

[@jimson9297]

Dear Mr. Shin. For how long should I let the oil dry/harden before reassembling the shinai? Thanks for all your videos.

[@PaulHBShin]

If you're using mineral oil, which is the type of oil that I recommend, then you can wipe off the excess oil almost immediately. The shinai should never really feel "greasy."

[@jimson9297]

Thanks for the quick reply - much appreciated.

[@_Koshihikari]

Hello Mr. Shin! I would like to ask, does shinai have any kind of lacquer or varnish on it? I could not find many answers online. Thank you!

[@PaulHBShin]

Nope. No lacquer or varnish.

[@_Koshihikari]

@@PaulHBShin Thank you for the answer!

[@RalphMelis]

How many times should you actually do this (putting oil on your bamboo)? I used your video today to refit my shinai as the grip was twisted.

[@PaulHBShin]

+Ralph Melis I apply oil pretty much every time I disassemble my shinai for maintenance, which can be as often as after three uses or as infrequently as after seven or eight uses. Depends on lots of difference factors, such as how humid or dry it is in your area.

[@RalphMelis]

+Paul Shin thanks. In general Dubai is pretty humid, so I haven't done it yet. We only practise once a week so I guess I will use some oil around December. What kind of oil do you recommend again?

[@toc7325]

Thank you

[@neeven_0386]

I removed the part where we hold but I can not put back

[@PaulHBShin]

Do you mean you can't put back the tsuka leather because it's too tight?

[@astavas8341]

How to fix a warped shinai? I know this is old but I really need some help

[@PaulHBShin]

How old is this shinai? Any idea how it warped in the first place? Are all four staves warped or just one?

[@astavas8341]

@@PaulHBShin 2 of them. The left and right. It's actually new, but because of the poor packaging (yes, I received literally A HOT shinai) the bamboo just warp facing a bit to the left.

[@PaulHBShin]

@@astavas8341 This is troubling. Warped staves can be a real safety issue. You should try to get a refund. But if you can't, you may just have to eat the loss and throw away that shinai -- or at least the warped staves.

[@astavas8341]

@@PaulHBShin I think so too. I'm trying to straighten it but seems like my only last choice is trying to use heat gun, which I don't have. If this one fail then I'll just bought another from other shop.

[@astavas8341]

@@PaulHBShin After dissasemble it, I found out that there is only 1 warped staves, while the other 1 has imperfect cut-out shape(a bit to the left if look from the surface) I think this is the major problem why the shinai wont straight no matter what did I do. Any idea sir?

[@ThePancakeRenegade]

15:36 My Nakayui is way too small to loop it three times and also go under the Tsuru 3 times yet I couldn’t purchase them in any other size?

[@PaulHBShin]

Did your shinai come like that new? Or is this a recycled nakayui from another shinai?

[@ThePancakeRenegade]

Paul Shin the nakayui came like that. I purchased individual parts off of ebogu as I didn’t need a whole shinai replacement

[@PaulHBShin]

@@ThePancakeRenegade Ah, that's why. Probably best to recycle old nakayui next time.

[@vudamian2250]

I new with kendo, and my shinai have 89AA on the Tsugawa. So what actually the 89AA mean?

[@PaulHBShin]

Not quite sure what the 89 designation is. I'm guessing this is a size 39 shinai? I believe the AA refers to the thickness of the handle.

[@Favour135]

which is better for training a shinai or bokken

[@sagark.s8610]

try car wax