Setting Up Your Kendama for Optimum Play
Much like a yo-yo, you can start playing with your kendama immediately out of the package. If you read the instructions that come with your yo-yo, however, they tell you how to shorten the string and set the yo-yo up for optimal play.
The kendama doesn't have any such instructions, but there are some things you can do to improve your kendama's performance and make its play more consistent. These improvements can lead to faster skill development and help you hit those really tough tricks more consistently.
There are 5 alterations that you can make to improve your play.
- Right or left handed set up
- Shortening the string
- Knotting the string above the ball
- Stabilizing the cups
- Refining the point of the spike
Each of these can be done individually, and they are listed in the recommended order to do them. A new player will get much greater benefit from the first 3, while more advanced players will want to do all 5. Even done carefully all 5 modifications can be completed in less than 30 minutes (plus time for glue to dry).
One word of caution about competing. The JKA prohibits some alterations of your kendama if it is to be used in competition. All of these alterations should be ok, but some require care to not violate any rules. Anytime there is a chance that a alteration could be a problem, it will be pointed out.
Comments
bradley on on 8.11.2008 at 8:48 AM
i'd really like to read "Setting Up Your Kendama for Optimum Play", but all of the links seem to be dead.
do you have the information from those pages, or updated links?
thanks
Bradley Unit
Kendamaspot on on 8.13.2008 at 9:26 PM
Sorry. Some of my links went dead from when the site was migrated from the beta location. I think I've found all the link issues, but if you find another one, please let me know!
Thanks!
Austin on on 8.20.2008 at 10:38 PM
I was just wondering when i should change the string. Should i change it after it wears down or just wait until it breaks?
And what not should i use to tie the knot?
Brian on on 8.21.2008 at 2:01 AM
Austin,
Generally you can just wait till the string breaks, it won't make a huge difference; I don't even think about the condition of my string. In fact, your kendama will wear faster than the string ever will and that will make WAY more of a difference. A worn kendama will not be nearly as consistent. Consider retiring a kendama based on how chipped the edges of the cups and surface of the ball are, and how worn the spike is. I play quite a bit, and it takes me about 4-6 months for a kendama to be considerably worn and thus, considerably less consistent. So look for that and don't worry about the string.
As for the knot, do you mean the ending knots the kendama requires, or the knot tied above the ball as a modification? For the two end knots, simply double up the end of the string and tie your regular overhand knot or "granny-knot". For the modification know above the tama, just a small overhand knot will work fine, all you need it something to prevent the tama from sliding up the string.
Kendamaspot on on 8.21.2008 at 9:16 AM
I have a different experience than Brian. I do a lot of tricks holding the ball, and my string seems to wear pretty consistently. I end up breaking the string near the ball and thus my string gets a bit shorter than I'm used to.
I've become proactive and change the string every 2- 3 months. This way I don't break many unexpectedly. I also maintain around 20 kendamas for demos, so I'm constantly changing strings.
As for the knots, I'll try to get an article up on them. I use a "flower knot" for the end knots and a regular double loop to keep the ball from sliding up the string.
For the flower know, make a loop in the string. Next make a bend in the string and plce the bend inside the loop. Tighten the loop trapping the bend and you ahve a knot that gets tighter the more you pull on the ends.
Hope that helps. I'll get pictures of the knot up soon.
Brian on on 8.21.2008 at 2:28 PM
Oh yeah, that's what it is.
Officially, Paul is right, but I couldn't see any knot within reason making much of a difference. The knots exist just so the tama and ken stay on the string. They are simple stopper knots, not high class bends for industrial use, haha.
Huh, weird, I've never broken a string, actually. The string does wear a bit, near the tama like you said, but even then, I haven't noticed any significant change in how it plays. I would change the string when it first breaks, because at that point I know the string is worn enough to be likely to break again. However, I don't bother changing strings before that point, it just doesn't make large enough a difference to me.
Personal preference I guess. I'll take some pictures of the knots with ropes so people can easily see and post it on here within 48 hours for you Paul.
-Brian
Austin on on 8.25.2008 at 5:56 PM
Ok. Thanks, I was just wondering because i thought you needed to change the string before it breaks like with a yo-yo, and i was just asking about the knot to see if it made a difference in how well it holds the ball to the string.