Reasonably priced good quality Kote

[JCM]

Hi Guys,

I have broken another set of Kote (thumb and palm on right and left respectively)

I will probably get them fixed but I am looking to buy a new pair, can anyone recommend a good set of Kote that won't break the bank (no more than 120 euro)?

Been looking at a few sets but I can't make my mind up.

Many thanks

[bobdonny]

I suggest a cheap pair for regular dojo training.
I use https://www.kendoshop.com/Eng/index.php?channel=view&cate=100102102&number=1005 which are surprisingly good, and the fact you can wash them is a big bonus!!
I also still have my really good pair (over 2 1/2 years old with no repair) https://www.kendoshop.com/Eng/index.php?channel=view&cate=100102102&number=1005 worth every penny and not too far out of you price range.

[Maku-san]

I suggest a cheap pair for regular dojo training.
I use https://www.kendoshop.com/Eng/index.php?channel=view&cate=100102102&number=1005 which are surprisingly good, and the fact you can wash them is a big bonus!!
I also still have my really good pair (over 2 1/2 years old with no repair) https://www.kendoshop.com/Eng/index.php?channel=view&cate=100102102&number=1005 worth every penny and not too far out of you price range.

Bobdonny-san: Uh, nowhere in your first link does it say that the kote's washable... Or do I need new glasses?!? :laugh:

[Bucho]

:ermm: Seriously, "High quality Indigo dyed deer leather - Fist & palm" would lead me to believe that they are very unwashable.


p.s. does anyone know where in their product line ebogu starts using deer hair?

[bobdonny]

Sorry, just back from a tournament in spain! I was hit on the head too many times :)
I meant to link to this
https://www.kendoshop.com/Eng/index.php?channel=view&cate=100102102&number=1015

[JCM]

p.s. does anyone know where in their product line ebogu starts using deer hair?

I think on the slightly better kote, 100 Euro and upwards, but they often have offers on stuff. I find the deer hair Kote extra smelly.

Can anyone tell me what the benefit of deer hair is over conventional padding?, I was told before but I cannot remember

[ReKru]

I think on the slightly better kote, 100 Euro and upwards, but they often have offers on stuff. I find the deer hair Kote extra smelly.

Can anyone tell me what the benefit of deer hair is over conventional padding?, I was told before but I cannot remember

Deer hair? Or deer leather?
I think deer hair is used for the padding.

Deer leather is used for the palm and sometimes the fist part and sometimes as re-inforcement for the Buton.
I don't know what you mean by 'conventional' - deer leather is not unconventional, but cattle leather and various syntetic leather (Clarino, Kuraring etc.) are cheaper and the 'Orizashi' (fabric) re-inforcement is also quite popular with budget machine or handmade sets.

Deer leather is by far the smoothest most supple of the bunch and usually (depending on quality) quite a bit thinner than cattle (the high quality artificial leather is supposed to be very good as well - clarino and micropunch clarino).
Some say it's also more dureable, but my deer leather kote got damaged faster (first small holes in the palm, then it started ripping until I had to replace it) than my cheapo cowhide.

And .. well .. I like the smell of deer in the morning and think it faded far too fast. :)

[bobdonny]

The kote kashira, or hand-knuckle portion, are filled with deer hair. Deer hair is the best filler for kote as the fragile hairsKote break into smaller pieces with wear, resulting in a form-fit of the glove to the individual wearer, while retaining good protective qualities. The palms are of cured deer skin, a feature usually found only in more expensive hand made sets.

http://www.chibabogu.com/catalog/information.php?info_id=10

http://www.kendo-world.com/forum/showthread.php?p=74577

[Aurélien]

Hi,

Here is a collection of different Kote from e-kendo. You can find both quality and price range to suit your needs:

http://www.e-kendo.com/us/NOMAL/12010108/list.html?CBCode=2&CMCode=2-9
(http://www.e-kendo.com/us/NOMAL/12010108/list.html?CBCode=2&CMCode=2-9)