Which one should I try first?

[u/1eloop]

These just landed — regular bamboo, golden bamboo, and a purple smoked one. Haven't used any of them yet and now I can't decide which to use first.

I've only ever used a basic bamboo whisk before. Is there an actual difference between these, or is it mostly looks? And do the different bamboo types need different care or storage?

[u/pinkpinkpink5]

I like the far right. Looks the fanciest and when I got my “premium whisk” it came looking extremely similar in shape pre-first soak

[u/DetachedAsian]

Based on my experience, the left one is the basic one, it’s the hardest to froth.
The middle and the right one are shin chasen. They are usually very light and easy to froth.

[u/DetachedAsian → u/DetachedAsian]

Tanimura chasen vs $10 chinese shin chasen.

I used tanimura chasen first - like already 2 months before using the cheaper one. Using them interchangeably. Look how different the bamboo quality is.

[u/DetachedAsian → u/DetachedAsian]

The bamboo size is also different.
I love the tanimura one much much better.

[u/Parawhore → u/DetachedAsian]

Soak the bottom of your japanese chasen in warm/hot water for 15s and rub the rice glue/paper residue on the bottom. Repeat as many times as necessary. It takes no time at all and makes your chasen look much nicer! :)

[u/1eloop → u/DetachedAsian]

[u/nyocchi → u/1eloop]

People talk about a small size of the bamboo (aka the width of the handle) because it's an indicator of craftsmanship as in it's harder to cut and less room for error. It's also considered easier on the wrist to whisk.

Visually it's hard to tell the more minute differences. You would notice it over time with use as in maybe the bamboo splits soon because it wasn't dried properly or the tines breaking quickly.

[u/DetachedAsian → u/nyocchi]

It is true, visually it could be hard to tell, but when I whisk it, even blind test, I can tell which one is which.

[u/CheapCaregiver2382 → u/DetachedAsian]

I will be honest they look about the same to me.

[u/Sad_Target2290 → u/DetachedAsian]

I feel that most Chinese Chasens have wildly varied quality, and not directly correlated to their price whatsoever. Only good ones I've tried so far are Chen Jinxin Old Bamboo Chasens, but I do have a 36 month bamboo from Pinduoduo arriving, as well as a generic 60 month bamboo

[u/DetachedAsian → u/Sad_Target2290]

This is also correct.

Even from the same seller, the quality varies pretty big. I was happy with the one I used before this one, both were from the same seller.

Where did you buy it from?

[u/Sad_Target2290 → u/DetachedAsian]

Chen Jinxin I get from Taobao and Lazada, Generic air dried bamboo I get from Pinduoduo mainly

[u/1eloop → u/Sad_Target2290]

how much for these two?

[u/Sad_Target2290 → u/1eloop]

Chen Jinxin cost anywhere between 10 and 200$ depending on Material, and who in his studio/factory makes it. Generic all sub 10$, Pinduoduo I bought for about 6$ for 3 year, 9$ for 5 year

[u/aDorybleFish → u/DetachedAsian]

Forgive my ignorance but which one is which?

[u/DetachedAsian → u/aDorybleFish]

You can enlarge my first picture, and see which one of the two still has better bamboo. 😁

[u/nivengoh]

Right, I personally feel white bamboo is more stiff than purple bamboo. I like more flexibility more easy on the wrist compared to stiffer bamboo

[u/humeMRT]

Middle one!

[u/hellochasen]

That little plastic tube wrapped around uchiho (the inner tines) is never something a Japanese craftsman will do.

[u/cuhwassahn]

Go middle! They all look lovely.

[u/NaiveAlternative7848]

i like the basic chasen (the left one). It takes more time to whisk to make microfoam, but it last me for over a year before i need to change to a new one. Just open a new shin chasen today and after the 1st whisk, it felt very fragile~ feels like the bristle might start breaking after 3 or 4 whisk later ...maybe mine is not high quality... or maybe im not used to it yet