I am a current user of One Ply Hinoki. My vendor did advise me to put a sealant on it and I followed his advise. Already been using a year. No splintering issue so far. I have changed rubber many times on it FYI.My first 1-ply blade is on it's way (Yasaka Musashi V). Just wondered if 1 ply Hinoki/Cypress blades needs sealing? Do they splinter easily?