Choosing a bogu.

[SaigaX]

So I've been looking at bogu going to purchase a set combo from ebogu most likely. I'll look into any other recommendations for other sites, I already own a hakama and gi so these would be my 2nd hakama and gi, always nice to have an extra (or so I've heard). I am a beginner so I don't really want to spend too much on a beginner set.

The two choices I have narrowed it down to are:

A 5mm set.
http://www.e-bogu.com/High_Quality_5_MM_Bogu_Set_Combination_p/ebo-com-bog-h5mmcombo-.htm

and

4/2mm set
http://www.e-bogu.com/Top_Quality_4_2_MM_Bogu_Set_Combination_p/ebo-com-bog-h4mmcombo.htm

Of course the 5mm set is cheaper but only by 105$, but the thing that concerns me is after look at the pictures the cheaper set seems to be a completely different color and doesn't even look blue, it looks more like a light shade of purple rather than any other color. Has anyone bought either of these sets? Curious if they look like the pictures. Thanks in advance.

6mm set up close picture
http://www.e-bogu.com/photos/WOO-KEN-BOG-HP525MMSET--2.jpg

4/2mm set up close picture
http://www.e-bogu.com/photos/ANK-KEN-BOG-LTD42SET--2.jpg

[StevestonKC]

For quality comparable to e-bogu, check this out:

http://www.bogushop.com/proddetail.asp?prod=BOMS2MM%2D80B01

I've only heard positive reviews regarding this vendor

[Jiyoui]

I still believe that the color is just a camera trick.
A couple guys from where I practice bought that same set and it looks very blue/indigo to me.

as a beginner, I would go with the 5mm. From what I've learned while trying to buy my first set. The difference between a 4mm and 5mm machine stitched is not that great of a difference.
Whats more important that you should be concerned about is what material the kote is made of (palm) and the men material.

[Bucho]

This is a thread about my experience buying the 5/2.5mm ebogu http://www.kendo-world.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13286

[SaigaX]

Both the sets I've listed are palmed with brown deer kote. Also I looked at bogushop.com and most of their kote's are palmed with Light brown Korean Suede or something other than deer.

Also I m scared now to purchase off of ebogu, lol has anyone had positive experiences with these sets?

Also what do you look for in men specifics?

[tango]

I've been using a set of e-bogu 4mm kote for a year and have been very satisfied...

having said that, someone in our club got a set of their 3mm and wasn't very impressed with the protection it offered. More specifically, he thought the set he got was a little on the thin side. No issues whatsoever with the color. i think he likes the set ok for tournament/testing purposes...
since he plays a lot of motodachi in class, it takes quite a beating.... but he still wears it...

i have ordered and will probably continue to order other stuff from them...
i like e-bogu just fine and find their customer service to be very good.

[SaigaX]

Ah not so worried about the protection aspect, no pain no gain :p, more so worried about my men chipping like crazy like buchos.

By the way thank you everyone for the replies ^^

[tango]

as a follow-up to my previous post, i think it's important to add that the same guy has had zero problem with any lacquer coming off the men.

[SaigaX]

Ah thank you very much. I'll probably wait for a few more replies then order my 4mm set :)

[Jiyoui]

In men, i mean, IBB or none ibb

[tango]

based on bucho's linked thread, i think it's probably safe to say that several people wound up getting a batch of bad equipment...

i think it's very irregular for any reputable supplier (which, IMO, e-bogu is) to experience that, but it sounds like they made good on the deal in any case.
it's something that should have (and most likely have) addressed.

they can't afford to be shipping out really sub-standard stuff and getting that reputation.

having said all that, i don't think anybody is fooled into thinking that e-bogu is top-of-the-line stuff.
it's not.
they seem to offer *decent* equipment at very reasonable prices. but the old addage of "you gets what you pays for" applies just as much to bogu as anything else, so you have to keep this in mind.

IMO, a set from e-bogu probably will suffice for several years... and by then, you'll probably have a much better idea of what you really want/need....

[SaigaX]

Yeah this is just a beginner set, I practice anywhere from 1-3 time a week depending on what's scheduled for that week. Of course I'll want to get a better set eventually, if this set lasted a year I'd be happy.

[48thRonin]

I know that e-bogu offers free shipping on certain orders and items, where last time I spoke with bogushop the shipping was a little pricey. The amount you save on shipping costs could be re-invested back into the quality of the bogu.

Both businesses had great customer service.

[kendokawannabe]

Went with E-mudo for mine. Been using it for 2 years now without any problems. Very satisfied with it.

[SaigaX]

After looking at a lot of the sets I think I'll get the 4mm set, unless someone posts something negative about it. Now I just need to find my ebogu coupon for 15% off orders over 500. Easier said than done. ;_;

[Bucho]

the replacement that I finally kept did lose some little pieces where the red meets the black lacquer very quickly and has lost some more since, but it is still mostly lacquered and the leather underneath hasn't torn at all over the last year (unlike the previous ones). So it does seem like I got several defective ones. After six months the tip of the thumb on the left kote ripped but hasn't become worse since. Hopefully spending the extra $130 on the 4mm bogu will buy you some better materials in there. I wish it was easier to compare bogu, I wonder if you'd be better off with the 4mm ebogu or say the aoi fd-5 for about the same price. I'd love a poll on how often people have problems with various bogu and how long said bogu last.

[NigelSponge]

4/2mm set
http://www.e-bogu.com/Top_Quality_4_2_MM_Bogu_Set_Combination_p/ebo-com-bog-h4mmcombo.htm



i'm pretty sure this is the one i have. I got it when it was titled limited edition or something. I really like it, great protection and looks wonderful. I'd definitely go with this one. Dont get blue as your embroidery color tho. Thats mine lol.

[SaigaX]

Hmm I think I am set on the 4mm set now. The only draw back is my 15% off coupon actually expired the 29th of feb lol. Anyone Have a coupon they'd be willing to part with please send me a PM, In return of course the coupon I receive (if i do in fact receive another one) will be sent to you as soon as I receive it.


Again thanks to everyone who has helped me make my decision. Any further feedback about these sets would always be welcome as they could help other kendoka make their decision :)

[tango]

saiga --- send them an email tonight about the coupon and maybe they'll honor it anyway... y'never know til you ask...

that's what i'd do anyway...

[SaigaX]

Actually funny thing is a friend from Canada who just bought his hakama, threw his coupon away the day my coupon expired. I might just buy a Suburiko as I was planning to get one anyway with my order, just would have to wait a week longer before I could order my bogu. I figured asking in this thread if anyone had a coupon they weren't going to use wouldn't be a bad idea as pretty much everyone in the kendo community seems to be a nice person.