now I'm curious how the cheap 50 dollar shinais are made, because I'd imagine there would still need to be a lot of things done by hand and not just machines
Expensive shinais have wonderful balance, but the video doesn't show any stage checking for the center of weight. So then how do they get the balance right???
There are two main types, "madake" (the most expensive) and keichiku (the most common). Andy Fisher sensei wrote about this, I'll copy here his post, hope it helps! From Andy Fisher Facebook page: Kendo Trivia : Shinai. Did you know that there are different types of bamboo that are used for Shinai? The two main categories are 'Madake' and 'Keichiku'. They refer to the specific species of the plant used to make the Shinai. Madake is the species of bamboo that is native to Japan. Whereas Keichiku is the native bamboo of Taiwan.
Although it is the Japanese indigenous species of bamboo, a Shinai that is Madake is necessarily made in Japan. The Japanes species is now grown in China too, so many Madake Shinai are made in China. Further, even if the Shinai is advertised as using 'genuine' Japanese-grown Madake, often the raw bamboo is shipped in bulk to China, where it is made into Shinai. This doesn't really reflect on the quality however, as these days, the ability of many Chinese Shinai craftsmen have surpassed their Japanese counterparts. Madake is produced in a far lower volume than Keichiku, so Madake tends to be more expensive. Many associate this to mean that it is stronger, lasts longer or is in some other way better. It tends not to be the case though. To my knowledge no studies have been carried out on the topic, but in my own personal experience, the strength and durability of Madake and Keichiku tends to be roughly the same, given the same environment. So what is the difference? Well, the fibres of Madake bamboo are tighter packed than with Keichiku. So in essence, the material itself is a little more dense. This means that it takes longer to soak up oil than a Keichiku Shinai would, but at the same time it retains it longer, so it won't dry out as quickly. This is good for those in dryer climates, as it can help with durability. This density also makes the bamboo more rigid, so Madake Shinai tend to have a 'firm' fell when striking, compared to Keichiku Shinai which can feel more elastic. If climate isn't an issue, then it comes down mainly to personal preference. If you prefer a rigid feel from your Shinai when making strikes, then Madake is a great choice. If - like me - you prefer a more elastic feel, then Keichiku could be a more appropriate option.
I must say I am a little disappointed in the use of so many power tools.I have seen a video of an old school maker using nothing but a blade embedded in a bench and holding the bamboo in his hands. He splits,shapes and sands using the one blade in less than 6 mins
![Kendo Shinai manufacturing [1/2]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Onvr1kqrkkE/mqdefault.jpg)
![Kendo Shinai manufacturing [1/2]](/img/tr.png)
todo un arte ..para hacerlo.. gracias...oss México 17 marzo 2017
24년도 이영상을 아직도 보고 있습니다.
The shinai maker is awesome. I would like to meet him someday.
Should love your SHINAI as you love your soul :)
he, cool zu sehen, wie das gemacht wird!
its always great to see a master craftsman make something from scratch, unlike that mass produced crap
@gs032009 I see you have quite a valid point there
Excelente amei maravilhosa
wooaahhh
2:07-atorio hanzo
I want thiss!!!!
now I wanna make my own shinai... but it'd prolly be super hard, haha
wow this man is AMAZING!
if possible can someone give me the list of the tools he used?
now I'm curious how the cheap 50 dollar shinais are made, because I'd imagine there would still need to be a lot of things done by hand and not just machines
cool
@BlackSabbathMark He uses electrical tools. Robots could manufacture this, if as effective would you not buy it, I think we all know you would.
Expensive shinais have wonderful balance, but the video doesn't show any stage checking for the center of weight. So then how do they get the balance right???
Nothing like this can be produced by Machine
To blacksabbatmark:
I had the same thought.
It would be a sin to...a sin!
Great video too.
I would guess that Japanese ones are hand made, whereas Taiwanese ones are mass produced! Though I might be wrong. Great video though
send more videos about plz
dose anybody know what type of bamboo is used for shinais?
There are two main types, "madake" (the most expensive) and keichiku (the most common). Andy Fisher sensei wrote about this, I'll copy here his post, hope it helps!
From Andy Fisher Facebook page:
Kendo Trivia : Shinai.
Did you know that there are different types of bamboo that are used for Shinai?
The two main categories are 'Madake' and 'Keichiku'. They refer to the
specific species of the plant used to make the Shinai. Madake is the
species of bamboo that is native to Japan. Whereas Keichiku is the
native bamboo of Taiwan.
Although it is the Japanese indigenous species of bamboo, a Shinai that
is Madake is necessarily made in Japan. The Japanes species is now grown
in China too, so many Madake Shinai are made in China. Further, even if
the Shinai is advertised as using 'genuine' Japanese-grown Madake,
often the raw bamboo is shipped in bulk to China, where it is made into
Shinai. This doesn't really reflect on the quality however, as these
days, the ability of many Chinese Shinai craftsmen have surpassed their
Japanese counterparts.
Madake is produced in a far lower
volume than Keichiku, so Madake tends to be more expensive. Many
associate this to mean that it is stronger, lasts longer or is in some
other way better. It tends not to be the case though. To my knowledge no
studies have been carried out on the topic, but in my own personal
experience, the strength and durability of Madake and Keichiku tends to
be roughly the same, given the same environment.
So what is
the difference? Well, the fibres of Madake bamboo are tighter packed
than with Keichiku. So in essence, the material itself is a little more
dense. This means that it takes longer to soak up oil than a Keichiku
Shinai would, but at the same time it retains it longer, so it won't dry
out as quickly. This is good for those in dryer climates, as it can
help with durability. This density also makes the bamboo more rigid, so
Madake Shinai tend to have a 'firm' fell when striking, compared to
Keichiku Shinai which can feel more elastic.
If climate isn't
an issue, then it comes down mainly to personal preference. If you
prefer a rigid feel from your Shinai when making strikes, then Madake is
a great choice. If - like me - you prefer a more elastic feel, then
Keichiku could be a more appropriate option.
Well I think the thick layered ones
@beardly01---Is now a bad time to point out that this guy is actually a korean shinai craftsman? lol.
I must say I am a little disappointed in the use of so many power tools.I have seen a video of an old school maker using nothing but a blade embedded in a bench and holding the bamboo in his hands.
He splits,shapes and sands using the one blade in less than 6 mins
this is great vid but 1:45 to 1:50 looks wrong haha