Kendo Gear : Types of Shinai and Shinai Maintenance - The Kendo Show

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In this episode, host Andy Fisher introduces different types of Shinai, and offers advice on hot to choose one. Also he takes us through the process of Shinai maintenance.
Don't forget to check out KendoStar for the best in Japanese Kendo equipment, designed for Kendoka around the world!
www.kendostar.com

[@adamjaberwolff]

the funny thing is, i bought a suburi shinai for training at home from kendo star and it had such a good leather and fettings on it than the jissengata shinai that i bought for three times the price from a very very very well known vendor. moral of the story is: someone that puts his face on social media telling you to trust his product beats the unknown person behind a desk somewhere far, in credibility 10000 times out of 10. thank you andy for the great products you offer us.

[@justsomekirbowithoutamusta1852]

Moral of the story: Just go with what you're comfortable with

[@yomama8212]

YES YES YES, THIS IS THE VIDEO THAT I NEED RIGHT NOW. THANKS ANDY

[@PengandPan]

Same boat, haha. I have shinai in the mail right now, so this video was well timed

[@MichaelStokesE]

Really like the video in the video. I'm certain everyone will have their own method but as Andy Sensei always says - "Ask your own Sensei..." I fully agree - regular disassembling & inspection, performing any necessary servicing maintenance (shaving, sanding, etc) with a liberal oiling - is essential! {Of course, let the oil soak in & be cognizant of where you place an oily shinai to dry! Oil drips could stain. Let it dry/soak in away from heat sources. No matter how 'soaked in' it looks - wipe it down with a clean cloth/rag before reassembling. *The cloth will catch on any irregularity or splinters/spurs or? that you might have missed. All should be investigated.} I prefer to disassemble a new shinai to give it a good oiling before 1st use. Also, using sand-paper or shinai file I 'round-off' (smooth-out) the more prominent (sharp) edges where each of 4-bamboo sections join & rub together. I have found from regular practice that rounded-edges slide more easily which significantly decreases the tendency for them to "fracture" & splinter. Whereas the sharp, un-rounded or smoothed-out edges will fracture & splinter...which then you must immediately stop practice & perform maintenance. (Or at grab another shinai!) While I have the brand new shinai apart, I use this opportunity to use a permanent marker to number the inside of each section #1 thru #4 as well as to draw a small arrow (on sides #3 & #4) pointing down towards No# 1 bamboo section. My #1 bamboo section is the first section that I will use for striking; (thus the arrows on) the lower-edges of sections #3 & #4 will also become roughed up from use. (Marking numbers & arrows may seem a bit redundant but keep reading to see how I feel the marked arrows are helpful.) No# 2 is directly opposite #1 & #2 is top, on the tsuru side; section #2 will be the next/future strike side. [*When it's time: It's as simple as removing the (or replacing a well used & sweated on) tsukagawa, inspecting, servicing & oiling the entire shinai (end to end). Then when reassembling - rotating the whole shinai (@180-degrees) so that #2 is now the strike section (blade side) & #1 is now on top, the tsuru side. Also, the top-edges of sections #3 & #4 (formerly the non-striking tops side-edges) will be facing down towards the strike side & the arrows will be still be facing towards #1. The arrows can be a quick & useful reference marks when reassembling. {Remember this is in a perfect situation where the shinai doesn't crack or break!} If it does then all the undamaged bamboo sections become donor shinai sections for your next monster shinai! {Thus the fact that Kendo star sales them in packs of 3 is actually good because the bamboo sections will age about the same & if you a wise...you'll rotate & use all the shinai.} Individually (or in the dojo) it is a good practice to recycle undamaged bamboo section; "a penny saved..." & "Waste not want not." *Remember, if you intend to &/or expect to be able to use undamaged bamboo sections for replacement parts: Before just tossing them into the closet - Take the time to fully service the section - and at a minimum - store them in a good location (pay attention to: temp, humidity, do not have heavy things resting on them so the section warp/bend out of shape over time) AND liberally oil each section before you put it into long-term storage! If you don't then when you need a replacement bamboo section & you go to get it - it's all dried out & brittle...you certainly can't use it for kendo. It's only good for kindling.} Andy Sensei - Looking forward to hearing your views and observations on other related shinai concern that you were not able to cover in this video: (1)Proper storage when not in use. (Dry vs moist; hot, humid; long or short term.); (2)The different shinai shapes available in the handles as well as the size diameter differences. Handle diameter can affect the ability to grip, control & confidence & also hand-tiredness. All of which in turn affects one's practice/performance. I think the most common shape is round & oval being a distant next. But I have heard there are square shaped handle too. Round appears to be the basic standard & it is usually the least costly. Oval in my experience is that oval is about double the cost of a round-handled shinai. Oval has advantages too in that oval-handles being similarly shaped like a katana & bokken. Beginners tend to follow their Sensei's recommendations on gear & equipment; rightly so. However, my Sensei (encourages) also points out that as one's abilities improve...their kendo will take on qualities & characteristics that reflect that Kendoka's style. Therefore, at some point, the Kendoka will try different shaped handles & maybe even one of the Carbon Fiber Shinai as well. {{Respectfully Submitted. }}

[@Toushirou00]

Andy you're the best! Finally a clear video to help with shinai maintenance. In particular the two knots to fit in the handle and how to tie the nakayui!!! Arigatou Gozaimashita!!!

[@lukeebsworthy785]

I had never thought to oil my new shinai before use. I'll try that with my next one. Thank you.

[@user-wj6dm6sg2z]

This is VERY helpful! Thank you Andy for all the great videos!

[@tsunamifluvial]

thanks for your videos! i am begginer in kendo and there are so helpfull.

[@breifne555]

Thanks Andy, very timely as getting back in after 30 years I've been struggling with aspects of all things Shinai. I have just recovered one of my shinai from 1983 and as it had been stored is actually in good enough shape to use for solo keiko. I have it in bits at the moment going through a refit so the video is bang on time. I have a new gorgeous Unrai Jissen Gata Smoked Shinai bought for my birthday which is so pretty I don't want to use it and smells amazing. I'll get over that though. Once again, your videos are invaluable to people like me. Keep at it Andy and all the best from Ireland.

[@TheKendoShow]

Thank you very much! I am glad to hear you enjoy the videos :) All the best, Andy

[@KXRTT---]

The Kendo Show hello I just started kendo and I am left handed so I used to having my left hand forward and left leg forward but my senpai tell me it's better to do it right hand they keep telling me that I have an advantage since they mostly swing with the left hand but for me it's too uncomfortable. So is it really not possible to be able to do left hand kendo? thank you in advance!

[@GrizzlyHansen]

Thanks for the video, I don't have much experience with Shinai, but you know a product is good when other people start using it. I saw a Hema club put a European cross guard on a Shinai.

[@arrowsaurus7561]

Bruh 😂😂

[@lonsorgloo]

Great video

[@MarcosK]

super thanks, Andy! Always enjoy watching your videos!

[@jliu5775]

Thank you Andy for the great video, informative as always.

[@AryadiSubagio]

I want to take care of my shinai but I'm afraid I won't be able to reassemble it correctly after cleaning :(

[@TheMinarus]

I've heard the advice of switching between shinai types before but in terms of applicability, I wouldn't recommend practicing year long with one type and changing the feel of your shinai when you go into shinsa or competition, that will throw you off balance, choose one and stick with it is what I go by, they each have their benefits and drawbacks, Dobari are really my forte because they are VERY WELL balanced shinai, if you get one with a Thick Grip you open entirely new possibilities because you get to feel a lot more control over the tip of the shinai and get to work it more which is much more similar to the feel of a sword in my opinion, it's hard to go back to regular practice shinai

[@stephenmallett1471]

Thanks I had to get it maintained and I knew you would do it a way I could understand- Great videos

[@y00617]

Very helpful, thanks! On a side note... Any chance of getting a video on tips for dealing with Do strikes in the future?

[@TheKendoShow]

I'm working on it ;) Thanks for watching!

[@user-xf8wc6nl4q]

very・・・・nice.

[@crazyvec]

Many thanks for sharing these videos , I really appreciate the info and find them very informing and easy to understand what you are trying to show...cheers..steve

[@erikanderson310]

yes! I needed that.

[@Byzantios1]

Another great video Andy.

[@DrSpeedNL]

Very nice, made things very clear, thank you!

[@floriankastner2479]

Thank you! It's really so hard to learn something like this!

[@gazssika]

I know it's 4 years old now... but can you show us how to reassemble a shinai with only one loop of the handle? The one I have has only one loop :C also it's really hard for me to constantly have the tension on the bamboo parts while knotting the naka-yui

[@lewkycharmes]

Thank you so much sir.

[@TchukGames]

thank you

[@ssxxiii]

you didn't mention the handle shapes here :)

[@the77project43]

Very informative 👍 I would like to ask what sort of oil is best for shinai maintainence

[@mosama22]

Thank you Andy for the beautiful video, this was really very informative, but just one question please: Back home - In Egypt - we usually "soak" both the leather "i.e. watch straps" and stick bamboo, in extra virgin olive oil before use - this tends to enhance the quality, improve flexibility, and increase their life dramatically! do you think it would be a good idea if I soaked the whole shinai in extra virgin olive oil first - we usually do for 2 - 3 days, then let it dry for the same amount of time - or no please?!

[@TheKendoShow]

Hi Mohamad, Thank you for your message! No I do I do not recommend soaking the leather in oil - as it does not seem react well to it. The leather parts are made of a different kind of leather to watch straps, so I think it is better not to apply oil to them ;) Thanks Andyndy

[@MC87-D2T1X4]

So which one would you recommend to beat the hellout of somebody?

[@rins_revenge]

My shining doesn't have the 2 loops what do I do

[@alejandrogonzalez7129]

Thank you for the video Andy! always very ilustrative and educational. Can Kendostar provide Koto Shinai? :)

[@altimonyt]

good video, like it

[@adrysyazwan7917]

3 types of shinai Practice for left right and mouth

[@childesheeran2507]

Mine is size 32 and pretty light in hand but the the handle has a funny smell.

[@khalifayokohamien]

Est-ce que la FIK (fédération internationale de kendo) a sa KZbin channel?

[@ThePancakeRenegade]

What other types of oils could you use to coat the shinai? You mentioned vegetable oil

[@keanwheeler4015]

I have recently bought new shinai would I have to oil and take it apart.

[@austin1989ful]

I'm really interested in kendo but I sadly have no way of getting any training..

[@alvincheng4616]

Just find a dojo nearby and join!

[@gomes6875]

Yes! You will be surprised by the amount that exist!

[@smallboto]

In are island theres only one but very hidden in the island but I joined when I saw people with shinai's and now am a 4th Dan now

[@codynutkiss6759]

Where can I get kendo training in florida?

[@kanekikirigaya7405]

hey im getting a madake awari sword shaped shinai im is that a good choice it has a more sword like shape not as straight as the ones you have if one of the staves break how would i repair it and is the one im getting better than a regular one

[@user-rr8dn7ro2i]

Thanks for the informative video. I was just wondering, do you actually have to wait a few days for the oil to dry? Other people never mentioned that long. Also, I'm assuming you don't need pliers to tightly pull on the nakayui and tsuru once you reassemble it right?

[@TheKendoShow]

Just a couple of days should be fine, until the Shinai is touch-dry :) About the Nakayui, you don't need to use pliers, you should be able to do it with your hands.

[@kohg1509]

andy i have a shinai i got from e bogu for 60 us dollars and is it ok if i strike hard on others materials with my shinai because i worry it may break also the bamboo has weird dents on the part you use to strike is that normal because ive had it for 2 days

[@StardustTrumpeter]

will you ever do a video on how to make a short shinai from a normal one?

[@Boruta46]

Thanks for the informative video. Wondering why vegetable oil is preferable to say neutral shoe polish ( which seems to have preservatives & does not deteriorate with time). Also oiling/ waxing would trap moisture in bamboo, does this matter ? , perhaps moist bamboo is less brittle ?

[@astavas8341]

Because for bamboo, if you use the vegetable oil it's gonna be freshtened and could flex, prevent it from break. Unlike bokuto, you need wood oil for that, because you didn't use non dry woods for that, and vegetable oil only revert it from dry to not dry.

[@Jimbo386000]

Hey Andy, How often would I have to oil a smoked shinai? I was told to oil a regular bamboo shinai once a week, but would I do the same with a smoked one? Mainly I wan't to know if it's bad for it, because I don't want to do anything to harm those beautiful looking smoked shinai I just ordered from Kendostar when they get to my house. ;)

[@BenEmberley]

Nice video Andy. Would Kendo Star stock any Tsukagawas for a thick-grip shinai?? :)

[@TheKendoShow]

If you email us on [e-mail] we can supply these :)

[@maiasmusic_7252]

nice!

[@dicktv8810]

I want this shit right now

[@uralsons5687]

Omg i want this

[@grantjackson974]

Why is the handle on a shinai longer than a katanas handle?

[@mattrusz3221]

I don't think the katanas that you see are genuine Dynasty ones. Modern blacksmiths make the handle much shorter these days as Katanas aren't exactly used for real life combat. I have a restored Dynasty Katana and the handle is basically 25% of the entire sword.

[@sleepingturtle32]

To make room for the gloves

[@nosferyon]

what kind of oil do you recommend?

[@mrhatman1108]

Vegetable oil

[@gunteris1144]

Can I just spray it with WD-40 ???

[@playrewindff]

13:57

[@jort93z]

which vegtable oil? olive oil, rapeseed oil, sunflowerseed oil, palm oil... theres quite a few.

[@astavas8341]

Any cooking oil is fine, I use canola oil

[@milesmurphy4329]

how do you measure for the proper length???

[@gomes6875]

Miles Murphy usually it's a palm

[@gomes6875]

If you are talking about the nakayi (idk how to spell it)

[@lsern8962]

Can someone tell me how regularly should i do my shinai maintenance??

[@astavas8341]

Around at least once a week. If you use regularly in contact, depends(also check your humidity, because that's also one of the factor). But mostly only 2-3 times a week. Because of splinters and all.

[@godgirlsguitars]

What size is right for me. There are different sizes. I'm 5'10"

[@TheKendoShow]

Yeshua Man you need a size 39 ;)

[@tengu190]

No suburi shinai?

[@josephbevacqua9217]

hello there

[@RavenFlau]

Hey andy sensei! I'm wondering if I order a dobari class shinai from Kendostar, can I ask them to customize the shinai a little bit. Am looking for a size 37 shinai meant for Nito Kendo. And can I have only two of them be 37 while the last one 39. Also, are there any extra charges for these changes? Thank you =)

[@TheKendoShow]

Hi! Thanks for your comment! Yes, this is possible, please email us at [e-mail] and we will let you know the details! Thanks! Andy

[@clintonhayes676]

BANSAI!

[@carlolozada3559]

Most popular in Pro Wrestling,like Sandman ECW,ECW,ECW,ECW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@sire9792]

You guys get leather I use duct tape to hold mine together and my is fine

[@MichaelLeung2011]

I am back , supporting your channel by disliking

[@TheKendoShow]

Nice to see you back. Thank you! KZbin doesn't distinguish between likes and dislikes, it just counts as an interaction, so even by clicking dislike, you are helping my channel increase its search ranking, and suggestion rate! So, yeah, thanks for the support!

[@kanekikirigaya3346]

no one cares the channel is successful and teaches good.

[@sleepingturtle32]

@@TheKendoShow amazing way to handle this situation! Kudos to you