Krom, the Danish brand created by freestyle world champion Thorkild May, has the POP LOL as its beginner kendama, a revision of the POP, one of its best-selling models. This one has a yellow tama.

• BrandKrom Kendama
• ModelPOP LOL
• ShapeCK
• WoodBeech (ken and tama)
• Tama61 mm, clear LOL lacquer
• ColourYellow

Design

A kendama is made up of the ken (a handle ending in a spike), the sarado (the piece with the two side cups) and the tama (the ball with a hole). The CK shape, which Krom uses on the POP LOL, is simple and durable, with wide side cups for catching the ball comfortably. The slim spike and generous hole in the tama make the spike (fitting the ball onto the point) more achievable, and the reference line painted on the tama helps you locate the hole as it spins.

Materials and level

The whole kendama is made of beech, a hard, durable wood well suited to a kendama that will take plenty of knocks while you learn. The 61 mm tama is finished in LOL, Krom’s clear lacquer designed for maximum grip: the ball stays put more easily when it rests on the ken. It is a beginner model that also lets you keep progressing. It includes a bearing at the string attachment to stop it tangling, a spare string and stickers.