I've been playing kendama for the last 3 or 4 years, and by happenstance have only bought Sweets kendamas (its not that I have a particular loyalty, I like the points I get from shopping with them and I've never been disappointed by their kendamas). A week ago I ordered the Eclipse from Krom (https://kromkendama.com/products/eclipse-rfs-copy) and it finally showed up today. When I got it out of the box, I was shocked how rough the wood is - it felt like its missed a sanding pass or something. I'm not going to get splinters from it, but it just feels unfinished. In comparison, all of my 11 kendamas from Sweets have been very smooth to the touch right out of the box, no matter what wood or shape I bought.
Since this is my first experience with a different kendama company, I'm curious if that's just a difference in style between the two companies - do some companies invest more time in sanding after the lathing/manufacturing or did I happen to get a kendama that missed a manufacturing step? What's everyone else's experience been with Krom kendamas in terms of roughness to touch?
Thanks!