Kote, Max $250 budget..

[rainmaker]

Okay, I am looking around for Kote with budget of $250. Any recommendation ?? Should I get it from e-bogu or eguchi ? Or any other place you can recommend ??

[MikeW]

If it was me I would buy the Bogubag ( Koei) kote from the S-25 set (item # 06-250). They are US $150, made in Japan and are a good buy for the money.

[Old Warrior]

Okay, I am looking around for Kote with budget of $250. Any recommendation ?? Should I get it from e-bogu or eguchi ? Or any other place you can recommend ??

I have had a problem with kote not lasting. I bought the expensive ones only to have them fall apart in six months. Perhaps its my frequency of use and the fact that sometimes they don't even dry out before I have them on, again.

My solution was to buy "el cheapos". I am VERY happy with this $80 pair, that shows no sign of wear after a year: http://www.e-bogu.com/High_Quality_5_mm_Machine_Stitched_Kote_p/woo-ken-bog-hq5mmkote--.htm

[Karaken]

I have had a problem with kote not lasting. I bought the expensive ones only to have them fall apart in six months. Perhaps its my frequency of use and the fact that sometimes they don't even dry out before I have them on, again.

My solution was to buy "el cheapos". I am VERY happy with this $80 pair, that shows no sign of wear after a year: http://www.e-bogu.com/High_Quality_5_mm_Machine_Stitched_Kote_p/woo-ken-bog-hq5mmkote--.htm

Yeah OW, expensive ones have very delicate bamby leather. How well does "el cheapo" protect you?

[R Stroud]

I have had a problem with kote not lasting. I bought the expensive ones only to have them fall apart in six months. Perhaps its my frequency of use and the fact that sometimes they don't even dry out before I have them on, again.

Expensive kote will last, they should not were out. With the exception of replacing the kote palm leather, a good set of kote should last for many years. You may have a problem with drying them out, so rotating between them might help your experience.

Also you can purchase a kote dryer now from Japanese bogu companies, may be useful as well.

[R Stroud]

I have had a problem with kote not lasting. I bought the expensive ones only to have them fall apart in six months. Perhaps its my frequency of use and the fact that sometimes they don't even dry out before I have them on, again.

Expensive kote will last, they should not wear out. With the exception of replacing the kote palm leather, a good set of kote should last for many years. You may have a problem with drying them out, so rotating between them might help your experience, but that does not completely explain the short life of expensive versus cheap you have had.

Also you can purchase a kote dryer now from Japanese bogu companies, which may be useful as well.

[AlexM]

Try out the Orizashi kote from e-bogu. I just bought a pair so I don't know how long they last on average. That being said, they're lightweight and offer good protection.

[Old Warrior]

Yeah OW, expensive ones have very delicate bamby leather. How well does "el cheapo" protect you?

As you know, I only do nito, so both my hands take a constant pounding. I find that the basic functional difference between the "el cheapos" and the good ones is that the finer materials are more flexible. Well, I can report that cheaper and stiffer is safer and I have been almost injury free. Just once, a testosterone charged teenager took a full swing and hit my left hand (thinking it was a valid point) turning my hand a great shade of purple in a few days. Aside from that, I think they're great. They don't look like much and the pro's figure me for a beginner or just poor - but that doesn't bother me a bit. I'd recommend them to anyone.

[Karaken]

As you know, I only do nito, so both my hands take a constant pounding. I find that the basic functional difference between the "el cheapos" and the good ones is that the finer materials are more flexible. Well, I can report that cheaper and stiffer is safer and I have been almost injury free. Just once, a testosterone charged teenager took a full swing and hit my left hand (thinking it was a valid point) turning my hand a great shade of purple in a few days. Aside from that, I think they're great. They don't look like much and the pro's figure me for a beginner or just poor - but that doesn't bother me a bit. I'd recommend them to anyone.
As long as they protect me, I have no problem getting the 4th Kote.. Re-palming is too expensive ( $60 per side plus postage ) and bothersome. It'll be actually cheaper to buy "el cheapos" at $80 than repairing at $140.

Thanks OW.

[ben]

As long as they protect me, I have no problem getting the 4th Kote.. Re-palming is too expensive ( $60 per side plus postage ) and bothersome. It'll be actually cheaper to buy "el cheapos" at $80 than repairing at $140.

Thanks OW.

You should do the repalming yourself. If you have the hand-eye co-ordination (and perseverance) to kendo successfully, then you can learn to fix kote. The main specialist item you will need is a roll of indigo deerskin beading to finish the job. Koei sell this, so I'm sure Stroud sensei could get it in for you. The other things you need are available locally.

Anyone who wants info on how to go about it can PM me.

I can't believe there are people who buy new kote when the palms wear out. They must be made of money.

b