Shaft thickness
Rattan is an irregularly shaped, natural, material and so it can not be made to fit an exact diameter, rather it comes in random thicknesses. To give the highest level of consistency to our mallets we created 4 categories of thickness, each model being assigned to one of these categories. Each category has a very narrow diameter range. We use the strictest system to assign only the most closely matched thicknesses to each category. They are as follows:
A = Thin.
B = Medium-thin.
C = Medium-thick.
D = Thick.
(B) Medium-thin vs. (C) Medium-thick
(B) Medium-thin, and (C) Medium-thick shown in pairs
(A) Thin vs. (B) Medium-thin, vs. (C) Medium-thick
Many mallet manufacturers do not assign consistent rattan thicknesses to the same model. This can create many problems including:
flexibility levels that differ greatly between mallets of the same model,
an inconsistent feel from one pair to another of the same model,
reduced note control due to hands constantly having to re-adjust to a changing mallet feel, and
less-than-ideal mallet control due to an improper rapport between shaft thickness and mallet weight (i.e. thick shafts to small mallets, and thin shafts to large, heavy mallets).
This is why we have gone to great lengths to insure that our shafts stay consistent throughout their own model and that each model has a thickness that is ideal for its weight and size.
(A) thickness consistent throughout the model
(B) thickness consistent throughout the model
(C) thickness consistent throughout the model
This complex system that we use for proper shaft assignment and consistency is one of several contributing factors that make our mallets easier to control and can increase note accuracy, giving the whole series a truly professional feel.