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The number one wood for kendama is a maple ken paired with a beech tama.
When it comes to kendama, the wood types used for the ken (handle) and the tama (ball) play a significant role in the overall performance and durability of the toy. While kendamas are made of many different woods, two materials consistently rise above the rest: maple for the ken and beech for the tama. Here’s why these two types of wood are the best choices for each part of a kendama.
1. Durability and Strength
Maple is regarded as one of the best durable yet affordable hardwoods, which makes it the perfect choice for a ken. The ken must endure constant impact and force from tricks like taps, instas, and hard spikes. The dense, tight grain structure of maple provides superior durability, meaning your kendama will last longer, even with frequent use. While maple is strong and can withstand a bit of force, it is still soft enough where it can be broken in. When the cup edges start to curl over, and the spike starts to get flat, that's when the ken is starting to get honed. The curled cup edges help to grip the tama and create more friction, which helps with balance tricks.
2. Balanced Weight and Control
One of the key attributes of maple is its ability to offer the right weight range on average for the ken. Too light or too heavy could make it more difficult to have the right amount of control for certain tricks. Maple provides a well-balanced feel that allows for comfortability of a wide range of tricks for players of all skill levels. The moderate weight helps players feel more comfortable during technical tricks, giving them the control needed to perfect their skills.
3. Grip/Finish
While maple has a smooth surface to the touch, it also provides the perfect amount of grip paired with the right tama, especially as it begins to break in with use. This subtle friction between the ken and the tama ensures better control of tama grip tricks, allowing players to land more tricks. Whether you're
4. Aesthetic Appeal
Maple wood is very light in color, has a beautiful grain pattern, and isn't very porous, which enhances the aesthetics of the kendama. Its natural beauty is just one of the many reasons why maple is preferred for the ken. The wood’s smooth texture takes to printing and laser-engraving as well, allowing designs to be visually appealing while maintaining the wood's strength and durability.
1.Softness and Grip
Beech is a bit softer of a hardwood compared to maple, which allows the bevel to break in quicker for stalls. The increase in grip without compromising durability is what makes Beech the king of all wood types for tamas. Sticky paint also works very well on Beech wood. Once broken in, the grain pattern starts to show through, and that is when the tama is most honed.
2. Great Weight Range
When it comes to the weight of tama, beech wood tends to be a great fit with maple. It depends on how thin or thick a kendama shape is, but Beech and Maple tend to weigh around the same +/- 10g. Every cut of wood is different, but by pairing these two woods together, we have found that on average, Beech and Maple work great for getting it as close as we can.
3. It's Been Used For Years
Historically, beech has been used for kendamas for years. The majority of JKA (Japan Kendama Association) kendamas are still made of beech wood to this day. While we believe it is important to innovate, a wood like Beech is tried and true, and has an incredibly long track record in kendama.
4. Cost-Effectiveness
Beech is a generally more affordable wood, making it an ideal choice for manufacturers who wish to create high-quality kendamas at a reasonable price. For players, this means they can get a well-balanced kendama with a durable and honed tama at an accessible cost. Beech allows manufacturers to create durable and affordable kendamas without compromising performance.
When maple is used for the ken and beech for the tama, the combination creates a kendama that is not only durable and responsive but also provides the ideal balance and control needed for landing all kinds of tricks. The strength and weight of a maple ken, paired with the durability and consistency of a beech tama, create the most optimized playing experience for pros and joes alike.
Whether you're a beginner learning the basics, an advanced player mastering difficult tricks, or a pro who is pushing the boundaries of new tricks, choosing a kendama made with maple for the ken and beech for the tama ensures that you're getting the best quality setup for playibility and longevity. If you're looking for a high-quality kendama, these two wood types offer an unbeatable combination for perfect play.
Some of our kendamas with maple kens and beech tamas:
Bosch Mod 2.0:
Chef Mod:
