Nine Circles Chained Nunchaku?

[Magus86]

Hi guys, I'm new to this forum and to nunchaku. I already own two pair, and they cost me only about 5 bucks each. I got a pair of chained and a pair of corded. I've had them about a week, and I'm already experiencing some of the same issues people complain about with ball bearings. I'm pretty sure I split a bearing or something. I was messing around with them one night and I randomly heard this loud popping noise. Now they don't spin quite as well, and the part where the chain attaches on one of the handles moves around a lot more than the other handle.

Anyway, I need to get some longer nunchaku anyway, and I figured these wouldn't be the best quality. Now, I've been trying to find white oak, and I finally did, from nine circles. I'm liking the feel/look/durability of the chain over cord, but I'm not liking the complexity and number of potential failure points due to using ball bearings. I haven't touched the u-swivel or researched them much, but as I said, I was looking at nine circles, and I have my eye on these: http://www.ninecircles.co.uk/Wooden_Weapons__Shinai/Tonfa,_Nunchaku__Kama/Octagonal_Nunchaku_-_Shiro_Kashi_-_Chain.aspx

White oak, 14 inch, chain, octagon, tapered, only about 20 US dollars... This is exactly what I want(or so I think). Now the reason for this thread is to ask... Does anybody have ANY experience with these? I came across a review of their corded nunchaku, but I'm curious about the ones with the chain. I'm curious to know how difficult it is to swap or shorten the chain. It appears that there's just some sort of nut and bolt holding the chain to the stick, is that the case, or is it something different?

Also, when I first came across these i was a bit disappointed to find that I can't get them in the US(I prefer not to have to deal with goods bought from other countries because of extra taxes, customs possibly seizing shipments, and stupid bank fees), so I e-mailed woodall's to see if they'd be willing to make something similar, but they insist that without a swivel or BBs, it won't work so well. Can anybody confirm or deny this? I've since spoken with the nine circles US site and was told they'd be glad to get a pair from the UK store and ship them to me from their store in Michigan.

Are there any known issues with these? can anyone give any positive or negative feedback? I'd like to know all I can before I make a purchase I'm going to regret. I also want to make it known that I have no interest in doing freestyle at all. I'm using these for fun and exercise, but I'm trying to stick to combat techniques, nothing fancy or flashy, so I don't need advice on getting lighter nunchaku or anything like that. Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

[Yayu]

My only concern with these is that the chain itself might damage the wood over time. Being that the links being used to keep them together are barely sticking out, the spins won't have too much of a jump which is good. I've owned a couple pairs with similar connections, if you're willing to risk it, maybe filling the holes with hot glue will reduce rattle. Hopfully, that would keep the chain from eating at the wood. Though, I'd only suggest it if you're confident that you can take it apart just incase the hot glue doesn't work out so well for you.

Welcome to the forum

[Magus86]

I don't mind if the chain wears away at the wood over time as long as they stay intact for a lot longer and don't fail on me like the ball bearings.

[shiryu400]

I had some like those and not only will the chain eat away at the wood but also at itself. The first link is fixed in that position so all movements of the chain will make the first and second link rub together pretty furiosly, which doesn't happen with ball bearings or swivels. This process over time will weaken those two links, especially with heavy practice. If you find that the chain can easily be removed and replaced, this won't be a problem. However, I cannot confirm the ease of removal.

If you must have chain (I personally prefer rope because if you choose the right kind it can be almost as durable as chain) then you should go with t-swivel. They don't have it at nine circles but you can get some from here: http://kungfudirect.com/proddetail.asp?prod=SF011 -- they are the #2 on the right. The wood on that kind of nunchaku is usually pretty heavy though it may not be as good a quality as the white oak ones, but the swivel will last.

[Magus86]

Well I spoke more with nine circles and found out that the chain is as easy as it appears to remove from the sticks, so no problem there. Also, the guy from nine circles UK actually comes to a city near me several times each year to do a seminar on swords, so instead of having to pay about 10 bucks for shipping, I can just drive for half an hour to go get them from him.

As for why I want chain, I'm not totally sure, I just find it more appealing, and as said before, I appreciate its durability. I'm also well aware of paracord, which is good for up to 550 pounds if not more(if they make better than that, I'm not sure, but I think 550 is sufficient), and I have some on the way already to replace the crappy cord that came with my $5 corded nunchaku. I like cord too, but I'd like to have a good pair of both. Maybe the chain ones I have will last a while, maybe not. Probably not, they were maybe a dollar more than the corded ones. Either way, they seem to be heading toward failure already, at least the ball bearing connection part does. I'd rather not deal with any swivels or ball bearings if I can help it. Simplicity is sometimes better. If I'm wrong, oh well. The main reason for getting these is for the white oak. I find it incredibly appealing. The simple chain configuration is more of an after thought, but it's still something I think is good. 

As for cord, like I said I already have some. They were only five bucks but I sanded them to remove the shiny slippery coating they had, and they are in fact solid red oak. I took the two pairs of nunchaku I have and hit them together many times about as hard as I could. No real damage, just a few dents. I sanded the other ones too, and they are also solid oak, so as far as the sticks go, at least, I think I'll be okay. Now I just need some longer sticks, and these fit the bill. If I decide I want a longer pair of corded nunchaku at some point too, I'll probably just make them myself out of round stock and paracord. Or maybe by the time the guy from nine circles comes around here, I'll have more money to spare and decide I want white oak corded nunchaku too. Either way, this whole thing is fun and interesting, and I'm glad I decided to finally pick up these nunchaku.