Choosing a Kendo Shinai

The shinai is the primary tool/weapon used in the sport of Kendo. It's constructed of 4 bamboo slats tied together with leather and string. A shinai is a much safer alternative to a bokken for the full-contact sport of Kendo due to the simple fact that a shinai is lighter and highly flexible. A loud cracking sound is heard when the shinai strikes an opponent.

Not all shinai are created equal, but for the beginner, an inexpensive shinai is suitable. If you already belong to, or are think about joining a Kendo club, they should already have a gear supplier they want to you use (so, check with them first).

e-bogu.com has a great supply of cheap, but quality shinai and other kendo gear. They've got a great reputation for quality and good service.

Shinai variations to consider

Standard-grip Kendo shinai
The standard shinai has a round grip. Most people don't mind this, but some are really put off by the fact that a shinai is supposed to represent a sword (which has a more oval grip) yet it has a round grip. There's actually a practical reason for this (it's not just lazy craftsmanship). The grip (tsuka) is round because all 4 of the bamboo slats that make up the length of the shinai are cut to equal dimensions. This makes it easier to replace when one of the slats breaks. With an oval grip, you need to have a specially cut slat to replace one that breaks (and eventually one always breaks).

Oval-grip shinai
The oval-grip Kendo shinai feels much more like a real sword. Expect to pay a little more money for these since there is more involved in the manufacturing process.but not much. Be prepared for one of the slats to break sooner or later. You'll need the correctly shaped replacement slats handy when that happens.

Carbon shinai
Carbon shinai have been around for some time, and most brands are certified by all international Kendo associations. The good part is carbon shinai are extrememly durable and will probably never break. The down side is they don't feel the same as traditional bamboo. Plus, carbon shinai tend to be slightly top-heavy. This can be a flaw or a benefit depending on which technique you're using, so keep that in mind.