If you are curious about string length, bevel size, kendama height, lunar balance, and weight matching, this guide breaks down what actually matters, who it matters for, and how these variables affect your progression.
The goal is simple: help you understand your kendama better so you can progress, create, and share more.
String length is one of the most important yet misunderstood aspects of kendama setup for new players.
It is commonly measured in “finger length.” To measure your own kendama's string length, put the tama on the spike, while holding your ken with one hand, stack the fingers of your other hand inside the closed string loop, then pull the string tight below the base cup. The number of fingers that fit inside the loop below the base cup is your string length.
A short string is roughly 2 to 6 finger lengths.
A medium string is about 6 to 10 finger lengths.
A long string is anything over 10 finger lengths.
Shorter strings are ideal for beginners. They help with the control of pulling up both the tama for spikes and cups, as well as giving a shorter distance to land tricks like airplane and lighthouse. Shorter strings allow new players to learn the fundamentals of kendama faster. Short strings are also excellent for spacewalk style tricks because both pieces act as a tight counterbalance. If the distance between the two is really long, the spacewalk has less control and fluidity, which is key.
Medium strings, in the 6 to 10 finger range, may be the most well-rounded option for many players. They support spacewalks and string tricks while still allowing enough room for juggles and late kenflips.
Long strings, over 10 fingers, are typically preferred by advanced and professional players. When doing multiple juggles, high number of taps, or late kenflips, the extra string length gives more time and freedom to move.
As skill increases, string length should increase as well. There is a progression to it. Beginners benefit from shorter strings. As trick difficulty rises, more string becomes useful.
Modern kendamas are significantly taller than traditional models from 15 to 20 years ago.
At Sol, the SMBL shape measures roughly 16.9 cm and is considered tall. The 2UP shape measures 18.1 cm and is extremely well-rounded, especially for lunars. The KD Shape is slightly taller than the 2UP and very well-balanced for every trick.
In general, anything above 17 cm is considered tall by today’s standards.
Taller kens can make kenflips and taps easier because of increased leverage and rotational control, as well as the additional space beneath the cups. However, extra height can negatively impact lunar balance if weight distribution is not carefully considered.
There is no universally perfect height. Different shapes exist because players prefer different feels and tricks. That is why many brands offer multiple shapes and sizes. Trying different shapes and ken heights will help you understand what matches your play style best.
In 2025, bevel size has evolved significantly.
A bevel between 23 mm and 25 mm is considered ideal for modern play. A 22 mm bevel or smaller is generally viewed as a bit outdated.
However, bevel size must match the spike thickness and overall shape. If the bevel is too large and the spike is too thin, the tama may pop out too easily. If the bevel is too tight and the spike is too thick, the tama can get stuck. There are some modern, thin kendamas that still pair well with a 22mm bevel, so it's important to know that its not a one size fits all kind of situation when it comes to bevel sizes. A tama and ken that were designed to be paired together will be the best match.
At Sol, our bevels are currently between 24 mm and 25 mm in width because we designed our shapes to fit that size, as well as that range supports today’s trick progression without any compromising.
Lunar balance is one of the most popular and talked-about aspects of modern kendama shapes since as early as 2017.
Good lunar balance is not just about a base cup hole. It is about total weight distribution.
Base cup holes and deeper base cups help reduce weight in the bottom portion of the ken. Sarado design can also hide and distribute extra weight creatively to achieve better overall balance.
But there is a fine line.
Too much weight in the sarado can make kenflips, taps, and lighthouses feel unnatural and heavy. Too little weight can make lunars unstable.
The best lunar balance is achieved through intentional distribution of mass across the entire ken, not just drilling a larger hole.
Weight matching is one of the most controversial topics in modern kendama.
Weight matching usually means the tama and ken are either exactly the same weight, such as 85 g and 85 g, or within about plus or minus 5 g of each other.
In reality, a 5 g difference is barely noticeable without a scale. Differences in the range of 15 g to 25 g are where players begin to clearly feel imbalance.
For high-tension tricks like spacewalks, where the tama and ken act as counterbalances at peak string tension, closer weights matter more.
For most other tricks, especially in the first several months of playing, weight difference is not as important as what shape you use and the quality of the paint. At the end of the day, the amount of time you practice is by far going to be the thing that results in progression above what kendama you use.
Weight matching matters at higher levels, but it is often overemphasized in kendama as a whole.
Modern kendama has evolved dramatically. Shapes are taller. Bevels are wider. Paint is more advanced. Lunar balance is engineered carefully. String length can be tuned to match progression.
But none of these details replace creativity.
If you are searching for kendama information, the most important step is not obsessing over millimeters and grams.
It is picking up your kendama, learning tricks, sharing clips, attending events, and creating with others.
As your skill increases, these setup details will begin to matter more. And when they do, understanding string length, bevel size, height, lunar balance, and weight matching will help you fine-tune your play.
Until then, focus on progression and community.
Create more.
Share more.
Play more.
That is what pushes kendama forward.
