# Does the kendama you own actually have impact on your play?

**URL:** <https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/does-the-kendama-you-own-actually-have-impact-on-your-play/85340>\
**Category:** Kendama\
**Created:** [December 18, 2017, 12:07am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/does-the-kendama-you-own-actually-have-impact-on-your-play/85340 "2017-12-18T00:07:56Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![quinton](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/quinton/32/376_2.png) [@quinton](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/quinton)\
**Post date:** [December 18, 2017, 12:07am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/does-the-kendama-you-own-actually-have-impact-on-your-play/85340/1 "2017-12-18T00:07:56Z")

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I have a cheap kendama. By spending twenty or so bucks, will I actually see an improvement in play?

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**Author:** ![YoYoExpertGarrett](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/yoyoexpertgarrett/32/1543_2.png) [@YoYoExpertGarrett](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/YoYoExpertGarrett)\
**Post date:** [December 18, 2017, 5:10pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/does-the-kendama-you-own-actually-have-impact-on-your-play/85340/2 "2017-12-18T17:10:31Z")

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The weight/balance of a nicer kendama has a noticeably different feel in play. Also the finish of the tama can really improve certain tricks. Nothing if a substitute for practice though, if you practice enough with any kendama you’ll improve.

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**Author:** ![beherenow](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/beherenow/32/125309_2.png) [@beherenow](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/beherenow)\
**Post date:** [December 27, 2017, 2:32am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/does-the-kendama-you-own-actually-have-impact-on-your-play/85340/3 "2017-12-27T02:32:56Z")

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> [@YoYoExpert Garrett](#):
>
> The weight/balance of a nicer kendama has a noticeably different feel in play. Also the finish of the tama can really improve certain tricks. Nothing if a substitute for practice though, if you practice enough with any kendama you’ll improve.

^Yes

It will vary by how the balance is on your current one. Some I have owned have almost zero chance at lunars without keeping them moving as the ken was so out of balance for them. The surface on the tama has shown a noticeable effect for me too. I’ve been fond of the Sweets cushion on some although I wonder if they’re in the middle of an exit strategy since they haven’t really had stock for weeks.

The Catchy Street has an oversize base to help with light house etc. and the tama has a nice tack.

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**Author:** ![Dust](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/dust/32/83340_2.png) [@Dust](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Dust)\
**Post date:** [December 27, 2017, 2:41am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/does-the-kendama-you-own-actually-have-impact-on-your-play/85340/4 "2017-12-27T02:41:45Z")

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I started with a hand me down, 3$ one. It was awful. Then I got a 20$ one, it was better. A 30$ one, about the same.

I then put together one from a hickory ken, and purple heart tama with silk string and bearing spinner. HOLY CRAP. that thing slays so hard its not even fair.

It wont give you better skills, but it will likely give you a better experience.