Awesome. simple design looks easy to make too. i started kendo about 2 years ago so i'm probably about the same level as your son. i can totaly see the use in this and can also see that using this as a base desgin you could easly add bogu and other functions to make it as complicated as you wanted. i was mulling some designs around in my head but your solution is so much simpler and to the point. well done. question, hows the padding on the shinai? any noted wear?