Kamui Tips Q/A

JasonATX said:
I switched from Kamui Clear Black tips because they glazed quite often in my experience. I essentially had to scuff my tip every time I played. My chalk is not very abrasive (Kamui Roku) and I don't have the same problem with other tips of the same hardness (medium). I tried at least 2 or 3 different Kamuis before switching.

You will find there are many folks here that have a similar problem. I'm certain that Kamui has heard this criticism. Have they done anything to combat the issue?
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I'll take that under advisement! There are many reason for a tip glazing. There's natural and unnatural reasons. The natural reason is people hit hard when using english(or in general) causing lots of heat and friction and compressing the fibers. Also humidity plays a factor. The unnatural reason is typically a mixture of abrasive chalk, tip picking, and VERY abrasive tip tools in general. I'm not saying that it's impossible that kamui tips have a glazing issue, but it does sometimes depend on the player. Yes, aggressive tip tools temporarily adds texture, but gives more room for the fibers to compress. I'd love to recommend the gator grip or dragon tongue, but they're not in production right now. -.- When I was playing 4 days a week, I would only have to scuff maybe 3 times a month, but I do have a softer hit. I have had people switch chalk and the problem stopped. I've had people where the problem didn't go away. I've had people that have never had a glazing issue. There's a lot of factors, BUT I am bringing each of these issues up to Japan to see if their response is any different than mine. And if they are, I will follow up accordingly!
 
Cleveland_Rocks said:
Well connected to Kamui could equate to you being a lunatic or b-s-er. What are your credentials, amigo?
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Haha, I am a lunatic for having started this discussion, that's for sure. I just want to see if I can be of help. I'm not trying to sell anything, I just want to do some research and see what we're lacking! I work with shipping, logistics, HQ communications, and E-Commerce for Kamui USA.
 
KamuiInsider said:
I'll take that under advisement! There are many reason for a tip glazing. There's natural and unnatural reasons. The natural reason is people hit hard when using english(or in general) causing lots of heat and friction and compressing the fibers. Also humidity plays a factor. The unnatural reason is typically a mixture of abrasive chalk, tip picking, and VERY abrasive tip tools in general. I'm not saying that it's impossible that kamui tips have a glazing issue, but it does sometimes depend on the player. Yes, aggressive tip tools temporarily adds texture, but gives more room for the fibers to compress. I'd love to recommend the gator grip or dragon tongue, but they're not in production right now. -.- When I was playing 4 days a week, I would only have to scuff maybe 3 times a month, but I do have a softer hit. I have had people switch chalk and the problem stopped. I've had people where the problem didn't go away. I've had people that have never had a glazing issue. There's a lot of factors, BUT I am bringing each of these issues up to Japan to see if their response is any different than mine. And if they are, I will follow up accordingly!
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I haven’t used Kamui tips, but it certainly does seem many people have had issues with glazing (not just non here but I’ve heard similar complaints locally) - much more than with other brands. Hopefully Japan can shed some light on this!
 
KamuiInsider said:
Haha, I am a lunatic for having started this discussion, that's for sure. I just want to see if I can be of help. I'm not trying to sell anything, I just want to do some research and see what we're lacking! I work with shipping, logistics, HQ communications, and E-Commerce for Kamui USA.
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I appreciate you taking the time to see what users actually think. I like the tips but don’t use them because of the glazing issue. I do hit the balls a bit harder as well.
 
KamuiInsider said:
I'll take that under advisement! There are many reason for a tip glazing. There's natural and unnatural reasons. The natural reason is people hit hard when using english(or in general) causing lots of heat and friction and compressing the fibers. Also humidity plays a factor. The unnatural reason is typically a mixture of abrasive chalk, tip picking, and VERY abrasive tip tools in general. I'm not saying that it's impossible that kamui tips have a glazing issue, but it does sometimes depend on the player. Yes, aggressive tip tools temporarily adds texture, but gives more room for the fibers to compress. I'd love to recommend the gator grip or dragon tongue, but they're not in production right now. -.- When I was playing 4 days a week, I would only have to scuff maybe 3 times a month, but I do have a softer hit. I have had people switch chalk and the problem stopped. I've had people where the problem didn't go away. I've had people that have never had a glazing issue. There's a lot of factors, BUT I am bringing each of these issues up to Japan to see if their response is any different than mine. And if they are, I will follow up accordingly!
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I question that to a point. You are saying that abrasive chalk/tools causes the tip to glaze? I would be inclined to say that the opposite is true.

In my experience - I played with Kamui Clear Black tips and Master chalk for say 11 or 12 of the last 15 years. I don't recall having glazing issues in those days. I scuffed with one of these about 1-2 times a month. Since then, I switched to Kamui Roku and experienced glazing and had to scuff far more often than I thought necessary. I went through multiple Clear Black tips without improvement and switched to other brands like Zan and Taom. With those, I might scuff once a month and I play at least 3 days a week.

I just got a Whitten and it's a great tip. That just might be what I select going forward.

One thought is that I switched from wood to CF about the time I switched to the Kamui Roku, but I don't see how that would cause a specific tip to glaze faster given others do not.
 
sudocrushms said:
I used Kamui Black softs for 15 years. I think i replaced it 2-3 times over that period. Switched to hard 2 years ago. Tip picks are the way to go as long as you aren't tearing up the tip with it. I switched to HOW Titans this year, but treat them the same: Willard's tool to retain shape, then a tip pick to add just a bit of texture. I do that every few *weeks*. It was a bit more with the Kamui hard, they glazed a little quicker than the Titan.
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If my tip was too hard I would "tenderize" it using a four way file. Still a great tool to have. I would lightly pound the tip too soften it. It worked. Then use a tip tool (Butera's, then changed to the round disc later) to abrase the tip. And cleaned up the mushroomed tip edges with extra fine sand paper. Prefered Champions but used Kamui later.

I guess I'm as old school as it gets.
 
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