What are the differences in Kendama paint? A summary of sliding and stopping

When choosing a Kendama, the coating has a big influence on the success rate of tricks.
The surface finish of the ball can make a huge difference in the slipperiness and grip, and the type of paint you choose will affect your playing style.

In this article, we will clearly summarize the main characteristics of Kendama paint, and also introduce recommended paint types for beginners and points to note.

List of typical paint types

● Matte paint (matt rubber type)

The surface is smooth yet has good grip.

- Strong against stationary techniques (lighthouse, moon surface, etc.)

・Recommended for beginners

Representative models: Yamagata Kobo Ozora Matte series, KROM POP Rubber series, etc.

● Sticky paint (adhesive type)

As the name suggests, this paint gives a strong stopping sensation. It is common among overseas brands.

・Most suitable for stationary systems

・On the other hand, there are cases where wear occurs quickly.

Representative model: Okendama NEO GLAZE series, KROM POP LOL series, etc.

● Clear coating (glossy)

It has a smooth surface and is common in old-fashioned paintwork.

・Slippery and difficult

・For advanced intermediate players

Representative models: Yamagata Kobo Ozora Solid Color Series, etc.

● Unpainted (natural wood)

The texture is just like wood.

・Finishing that emphasizes appearance and feel

・The difficulty of stationary techniques will increase

What paint is recommended for beginners?

For your first Kendama, we recommend a "matt" or "sticky" type.

Here's why:
・The grip is effective, so the success rate of the technique is high
Easy to control movement
・Easy to try stationary techniques

There are unpainted and clear coated models available at affordable prices, and they have little effect on early tricks such as Moshikame, Around the World, Airplane, and Furiken, so they may be a good choice for your first Kendama.

Later, when you step up to mastering techniques that require grip, such as lighthouse, nightingale, and moon surface, matte and sticky paints will become essential.

Considering the progression of the upgrade, we recommend choosing a paint with good grip from the start.

It's also a good idea to try out different Kendamas, taking into consideration factors such as cost, design, and grip strength!

Examples of paint types by manufacturer

[Yamagata Workshop Ozora]
Matte, clear, unpainted, etc.

[KROM]
Rubber, LOL Sticky

[LOTUS KENDAMA]
Sticky etc.

[KENDAMA ISRAEL]
Rhino Clear (original)

[Okendma]
NEO Premium Clear Coat and others (many original paints)

[KENDAMA USA]
Super Stick Paint, Silk Paint

[TOKYO KENDAMA]
Unpainted

summary

The paint on a Kendama has a big impact not only on its appearance but also on how easy it is to perform tricks with it.

Choose a Kendama with the right paint finish depending on your level and the techniques you want to practice.

FANKEN carries a variety of painted Kendamas.
If you're interested, be sure to check it out!