GoShikata competition chucks review.

[EleManT24]

GoShikata Competition Nunchaku



I got a set of these a long time ago and absolutely loved them. They were basically perfect in every way. More recently however, a friend of mine bought a pair for themselves, and they were completely different from the ones I own. Seeing as how I've told everyone how great they were in the past, and how much the chucks have changed since then, I decided to do a review of the newer model.

Length: 12 inches
Diameter: 0.9 inches
Material: Lightweight wood
Chain: 3 links
Weight: Unsure, because I didn't get to weigh them, and the website doesn't offer this information.
Price: $49.99 US for one   -   On sale now for $44.99 US

When I bought the chucks a few years ago, they were awesome. The weight was perfect, and they were very durable and well made. When I sampled the new model however, it was a different story. They were significantly lighter, which throws off the balance a great deal. On some moves that were simple with the old version, the new version of the chucks will fly right out of your hand. Also, the metal cap that houses the bearings was the wrong size for the baton. Rather than using a correct size cap, they put on one that was too big, and used the bolt to pinch it shut. This leaves the edges of the metal exposed, which will cut the skin on your hand on certain moves. They seemed cheap and flimsy in my hand. The top wobbles around during spins because of the incorrect measurements. I felt as though they would break in half at the first hard drop, but this was just my impression. I was unable to tell if the bearings were the same level of quality as the old ones because they were brand new, and I didn't get to use them extensively. The sticks were also slightly longer than they specified (about a half inch) but this didn't seem to make a difference in their performance.

Pros:
-Flashy colored tape
-Meets competition specs

Cons:
-Too light for intricate moves
-Incorrectly sized metal caps
-Very expensive

Even though the older model was a thing of beauty and performed like a dream, I was very unimpressed with the new model. It seems as though the company has slacked off, and turned to using cheaper methods and materials. I no longer reccomend these chucks at all. They are a waste of good money, and you'd probably be better off spending much less and going with a set of prochux, or any other cheaper short-corded nunchaku. This is my first review, and I hope it was helpful. Happy chucking!

[sebricci]

I dont know what they have with those oversize metal caps. Emig "signature" chux have the same problem which makes handrolls diffiicult. Maybe its because they provides better control for spins. What do u think ?

[EleManT24]

I dont know what they have with those oversize metal caps. Emig "signature" chux have the same problem which makes handrolls diffiicult. Maybe its because they provides better control for spins. What do u think ?

I'm pretty sure it's just cheaper to use standard sizes. I bought a set of Cochran chucks a while back for like $60. Worst chucks I've ever used, mostly because of that same problem. Except on those they had a metal tube in the cap to fill the space in between the wood and the metal. The Shikatas were just bent to fit, And they're almost double the price.

There are smaller bearings caps. They have them on the XMA chucks. But those chucks were 0.7 inches instead of 0.9 inches, so it would have made them unusable if they didn't. I think the company is trying to cut costs, at the expense of the quality of their product. I'm very disappointed.

[hairybiddy]

I have a pair of the recent ones and I agree. They were expensive and aren't that well made. Dissapointing

[Irv]

I bought some like Matt Emig Chux (look at the pict), a year
ago. Large Caps, 7 link chain and thin light wooden handles.
Too much weight in the middle of the chux. Very hard to
control on wristrolls.

First thing i did, was to exchange the chain.
Have a closer look at last chain link, where it's
connected with the ballbearing-cylinder.

Push the spring pin through the cylinder, so
you can release the chain. I exchanged it with
a lighter chain to get the weight off the center.

> Still too much weight in the center, because
the handles were untreated (natural wood),
so i ripped off the mirror base film, varnished
them about 5 times to get some weight on the handles.

Finally i stucked some mirror film around the handles again.

Much better now, but i don't know if they were worth 50 $ 
I got some XMA-graphite chux also, i would rather
recommend. Just need to exchange the chain with a lighter
one and they are pretty cool, compared with those on the pict !

[EleManT24]

Those are the Matt Emig chucks? Hah, I already have them then. I own that exact same pair, same color too. And they suck. A lot.

[Irv]

Sorry, the description says: "like matt emig".
Those new Emig-Chuck i've seen, seem to have smaller caps ?

Those look great, but i can't find the "english version" or mailto-button, so i could write at least a mail 
http://203.191.146.199/shop/goods.php?id=83

[EleManT24]

Sorry, the description says: "like matt emig".

Ah, so it does. Did you ever email the Cochran guy to tell him how much their chucks suck?

[sebricci]

I've ordered a pair of the new ones. I'll let you know when I get them

[Irv]

....... email the Cochran guy to tell him how much their chucks suck?

Good point !
The attached original picture of my order has a black background.
So it seems to me, that the caps are fitting the handles. Don't they 
Maybe i should recommend at least to varnish the handles.

Hey, have a closer look (have to scroll down) at their related products. Nunchuka Case:
http://www.ultimateweapons.org/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=124
Nice price, ha ?   

[EleManT24]

It must be an older model of the chucks in the pic, just like the GoShikatas use. They should update their catalog with a pic of their newer, more cheaply made version.

And that has to be a typo on the case.

[Matt-Chez]

the caps on those are crazy,,, way too beefy and definitely must throw the balance off quite a bit, they "fit" and all, but they stick out loads.
are those the originals or the new model?

and if its NOT a typo on the case price then the company deserves a good old flying snap kick to the crotch, 

[Irv]

the caps on those are crazy,,, way too beefy and definitely must throw the balance off quite a bit, they "fit" and all, but they stick out loads. are those the originals or the new model?

The pict with the black background seem to show the older model, but i got
the chux with the light background. I guess it was the new model.
That's why i was so surprised and disappointed.

..... if its NOT a typo on the case price then the company deserves a good old flying snap kick to the crotch, 

It has to be a typo, because most of their products are "cheaper"
(see 'our price' compared to 'list price'). It think it has to be 5 $.

It must be an older model of the chucks in the pic, just like the GoShikatas use. They should update their catalog with a pic of their newer, more cheaply made version.

I guess the chux with the light background are the updated cheap ones. If they
would have that pict on their website one year ago, i wouldn't have ordered them.

[Kriztov]

What are the handles of the goshikatas made out of?

And did you buy them from www.goshikata.com or somewhere else?

[EleManT24]

What are the handles of the goshikatas made out of?

And did you buy them from www.goshikata.com or somewhere else?

I actually didn't know about that website. I've only seen them at Century. That's where I got them from.

The handles are made of some kind of wood. I wish I could be more specific. The older ones are most likely oak, but the newer ones are so light that it's hard to tell. If I had to guess, I would say poplar.