New Kendogi and Hakama

[BirdMan]

Hi,

I am just starting out in Kendo and I am looking around for a uniform. I would like to get a good quality one that will last me many years.

I found this one on ebogu.com Hakama (http://www.e-bogu.com/hakfrekeiksp.html) and I was thinking about this Kendogi (http://www.e-bogu.com/ketaunkkdbln03.html) . This is a fair amount of money for me to spend, but if it is good quality and will last me a long time, then I think it is money well spent.

I was also looking around on kendoshop.com and found this Hakama & Kendogi (http://kendoshop.com/eshop/index.php?mode=subdetail&num=126&flag=catedetail) which would cost me a bit less.

The instructor at the Dojo said they have ordered from Ebogu and they have good quality stuff for a good price, but not from Kendoshop. Does anyone have any experience with the uniforms from the Kendoshop? The advantage with the first option is that I end up with a single layer and double layer Kendogi, or is that something that is important?

Thanks again for any help.
Kelly

[Neil Gendzwill]

What you want for a first set is a medium-quality single layer kendogi and a tetron hakama.The tetron hakama is easier to care for than cotton - think of it as a learner model before getting cotton.

As for the models you mentioned - the e-bogu deal is a cotton hakama, which I don't recommend for beginners. If you decide you want it anyways, you really don't need the second kendogi unless you intend to practice daily. I haven't seen the kendoshop stuff but I've heard their low-end kendogi is OK but the hakama not so good. My experience with the really cheap Korean stuff is that it is pretty thin and the colours tend to be a bit off.

We usually put our beginners into a 17-3xx (www.bogubag.com/Uniforms/Kendo/uniforms_kendo_gi.html) kendogi and 18-xx (www.bogubag.com/Uniforms/Kendo/uniforms_kendo_hakama.html) hakama from Koei. Dogi of this quality will last you a long time - at least 5 years - after which you may consider higher quality stuff if you like. Plus if like 95% of beginners you decide not to continue with kendo, you won't have too much money tied up.

[LNGUYEN]

I am a beginner too. I bought my Keikogi (Fuji brand, single layer) and 10000 cotton hakama from Bogubag too. They are all cotton. I don't know about other people but, I hate tetron (Polyester). If I were you, I look at cotton only and between the cheap and good ones, there are not alot different in price. If you think $20 or $40 alot, then be happy with whatever you got. Two guys in my class got kendo gi from Kendoshop too. They are quite good. They got double layer gi, very nice but hot. The Kendoshop 10000 Hakama is quite good too. May be, they improve their products since.

[LNGUYEN]

Oh the other thing I forgot to mention is service. When I order my Kendo gi from Bogubag, After I told Stroud Sensei about my size, he told me I need extra long Himo right away. My friend order from Kendoshop, he got nice Hakama with quite short himo. My point is if you don't know much, turn to some one more knowledge and kindness to help you is always better than lower price. Stroud Sensei is the one you can trust.

[BirdMan]

I am a beginner too. I bought my Keikogi (Fuji brand, single layer) and 10000 cotton hakama from Bogubag too. They are all cotton. I don't know about other people but, I hate tetron (Polyester). If I were you, I look at cotton only and between the cheap and good ones, there are not alot different in price. If you think $20 or $40 alot, then be happy with whatever you got. Two guys in my class got kendo gi from Kendoshop too. They are quite good. They got double layer gi, very nice but hot. The Kendoshop 10000 Hakama is quite good too. May be, they improve their products since.


That is how I was looking at it. I prefer the heaver cotton to the other light materials in my Karate Gi's, they are more comfortable and have a better "feel" to them. I just noticed that ebogu.com is having a special on their #7000 Hakama and Double Layer Keikogi. I dont mind spendy the little extra $$ to get the better quality.

I also plan to be in Kendo for a lone time, it is something that I have wanted to do for a while, and I am finaly at a point in my life where everything is stable, I dont plan on moving for a long while, the kids are older and I have some free time that I can dedicate to myself. Life is good :)

[LNGUYEN]

If you plan to learn Kendo for a long time, check out the 10000 Hakama, instead of 7000. It is a lot better. The 10000 Hakama at Bogubag is cheaper than e-bogu and it is made in Japan too. However, if you want to go with e-bogu, their quality is nothing to complain about even though their Hakama is made in Korea but very high quality. I compare my Hakama and the one from e-bogu, to me they are all the same.

[Neil Gendzwill]

I definitely prefer cotton to tetron myself, but most beginners opt for ease of care and a lower price. If you are sure you want cotton and have the bucks, go for it. Be sure to learn how to properly fold it, and also be aware of the extra care required in washing and ironing (vs tetron which needs no ironing).

7000 weight is preferred by many people who like a lighter garment, and especially if you are in a warm climate. I like the 10000 myself but some find them stiff and heavy.

Edited to add - I note you're in Anchorage. Clearly warm climate is not the concern! I'm sure Ando-sensei can help you with all this stuff.