The differences between kendamas are hard to notice when you first start playing. The main thing to take into consideration is the length of the string.  We make them long enough to cut down if you are a beginner.  It takes awhile to get good enough to feel the difference between different shapes and weights, so we encourage you to pick something out that you like the design of and that fits in your budget.  All of our kendamas are meant for beginners as much as they are meant for professionals.  Picking out your first kendama is a big step for your personal growth, so don’t make it too hard.