A.R.S., or Airsoft Research Syndicate, started way back in 2004 as a private supplier of classic and modern airsoft guns and accessories to Southeast Asia and America. Based in Tokyo, Japan, A.R.S. eventually expanded to Canada, where it became the top supplier of replacement and aftermarket parts for KSC gas blowback (GBB) pistols within a few short months. The company’s success in Canada prompted the people behind it to go global for everyone in the international  airsoft community’s benefit.

When A.R.S. came out with its Sorbo Pad for Tokyo Marui and compatible V2/V3 cylinder head, the airsoft world was abuzz with how this creation performed. Various players in Canada, the US, Europe and the Philippines attest to the Sorbo pads “quieting effect”. In our September issue, we gave you a glimpse at the A.R.S. Sorbo Pad, the very same product that catapulted the company to become a byword among airsofters all over the world. This time, Popular Airsoft is fortunate to have A.R.S. in our Feature Section, through Mr. Tirador Kashino, lead machinist and innovator.

T. Kashino in his humble office cum work station

Popular Airsoft: First of all, please enlighten us about one small detail. Unknown to most people, A.R.S. is not a Japanese company, right?

Tirador Kashino: Yes, A.R.S. is not Japanese, contrary to initial reports from various international forums about “Japanese engineers” coming out with the Sorbo Pad. I am a Filipino based here in Tokyo, Japan and my partners are also Filipinos—d3nc10 and Ariel. I believe, I am the only foreigner and Pinoy here in Japan that does innovating and making high-quality parts for airsoft and selling worldwide. I’m glad that Popular Airsoft is around and helping us gain more exposure.

Who are the people behind the company? Could you tell us a little more about the people behind the company? Are they into airsoft also?

Like you, we love playing airsoft. A.R.S. R&D team comprised of three (3) dedicated, hardworking individuals, their task is to develop innovative products to better the airsoft community. As for me, I’m a machinist and responsible for the making of the prototypes. Ariel is our precision engineer who is responsible for the high-precision measuring of the design and draft for production and d3nc10 is responsible for scrutinizing the design, and creating graphics and labels. All three of us contribute to finalizing our design concept till the final stages of production.

I understand A.R.S. is the first company to commercialize Sorbothane for airsoft use. What drove you to explore the airsoft market?

We all have lots of different ideas, but only a few do something about it. This is what we believe and drives us to make our ideas into reality... But it was consumer demand that pushed A.R.S. to go on a mass production level.

How much research was put into the Sorbo-Pad? What processes were involved?

We have been testing this Sorbo for almost two (2) years before we brought this outside Japan. These are the methods that we have done: Durometer test, digital sound level meter test (dB), vibration test (water in glass mounted in the m4a1 test), torture/stress test using an Systema M150 spring, and sound test by a friend Matt Lawson conducted in Alabama, U.S.A.

Since Sorbothane is a registered trademark, are there any IPR issues with Sorbothane Inc.?

We use the name “Sorbo pad or Sorbothane” because there is no other term that best describe the visco-elastic material. A.R.S. is not connected to Sorbothane Inc, nor we use the trademark of Sorbothane Inc. for our product.

What are your other product lines, aside from Sorbo-Pad? Kindly give us a brief description of each.

A.R.S. recently released the M.A.S.K piston head, which also makes use of the Sorbothane material as dampers. It was designed to pair with the cylinder head Sorbo pad to maximize shock absorption.

What are your major export markets?

Our Major export markets are Canada, the US and the Philippines. Minors markets are Indonesia, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates and individual resellers scattered across Europe

If I am an airsoft retailer, what are the requirements to become a distributor of your products?

Anyone can be an A.R.S. retailer as long as they are interested and capable to deal with the business of airsoft. That brings of course the quantity required for a specific product to be acquired as wholesale.

What is the company’s research and development (R&D) focus in the next 12 months?

We are now in the stage of developing and making our prototype piston body, newly designed air seal nozzle, springs and BBs.

What do you have on the pipeline for airsofters to watch out for? How long does it take for the company to come out with new models?

How long? It depends on the complexity of the project. We have an upcoming product called MASK cylinder head meant to be used as silencers, and absorb extreme impacts. Its feature is a little different and would probably be the world’s first.

To ensure quality, each batch of the finished M.A.S.K. piston head undergo strict quality control and precision measurement checking.

The machine room where prototypes of the M.A.S.K. cylinder head for Version 2 mechbox/gearbox is being made.