Separated fingers?

[Bloodyjack]

I was looking through the forum recently, and in a thread about naginata kote, someone mentioned kote that had all five fingers separated like a glove. Has anyone else heard of these? Or used them? Are they made for Kendo or some other art?

Although I do not practice Kendo right now (I really, really want to though), I was wondering if anyone also knew where to buy a pair. Because I know people will tell me not to buy bogu before I'm ready, please know that I do not plan to. I only want to know about my later options. (And the normal kendo kote look quite uncomfortable.) If it makes you feel better, pretend I've been practicing for years and am seriously going to buy them.

Thank you very much. :)

[ender84567]

I was looking through the forum recently, and in a thread about naginata kote, someone mentioned kote that had all five fingers separated like a glove. Has anyone else heard of these? Or used them? Are they made for Kendo or some other art?


You kind of answered your own question, 'naginata kote' are for naginata, I dont belive they have all seperate fingers just one which facilitates mochikae. You could use them for kendo I suppose, but why would you? They appear to be more expensive than the standard kote equivilant from a quick GIS. It would be like wearing a sune protector for kendo... could you do it? sure, but it serves no functional purpose.

[KendoSlug]

Hello,


The 5 fingered kote are only custom made and a lot of boguya can probably make them for you (at a price).

Pros:
- very comfortable, it's easy to handle the shinai with them

Cons:
- expensive when ordered
- they're not as durable as normal kote and most boguya won't repair them
- I'm not sure you can use them in official manifestation like shinsa or shiai



++

[Tort-Speed]

Kendo kote gradually mould themselves, like shoes, to the shape of the hand and how you use them, I think. Also, there are different leathers for the palm part, and thicknesses. My favorite pair have thinner leather, and are smaller with less padding. Although that means they are less protective than most, they are very comfortable and I can really feel the shinai. They weren't expensive nor custom-made.

[Anonymous]

I'd avoid using my naginata kote in kendo, it seems like its just asking to have my finger bashed a lot.

[ratdeau]

Cons:
- expensive when ordered
- they're not as durable as normal kote and most boguya won't repair them
- I'm not sure you can use them in official manifestation like shinsa or shiai
++

Mine lasted longer than normal kote, but nobody wan't to repair them.

They are not permitted during competitions an are dangerous for your right index.
For shinsa, it's up to you, but I never did one with.

If you are beginner, my opinion is that you have better to stick to standard things. Just learn kendo with normal kote.

http://www.kendo-world.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15462
http://www.kendo-world.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7232

[Orophil]

A Dojo mate of mine practices both Kendo and Naginata. Het forgot to exchange his Naginata kote for his Kendo kote so he did Kendo with Naganata kote. He said he was verry happy when practice was over because the kote did not protect the hands the way Kendo kote do.

so don't wear anything but Kendo gear when you practice Kendo, Otherwise you'll just hurt yourself.

grtz Mathijs

[dwez]

And the normal kendo kote look quite uncomfortable.

Looks can be deceiving. Recently Viram brought out their 'fivefingers' (http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/) and as much as I like them I can't imagine that comfort for your toes is improved having each one enclosed/separated. The same goes for kote, having your hand in one pocket is perfectly comfortable, separating each digit, wrapping it in padding and leather - I can't see how that would offer more comfort.

When you get to practice kendo and actually use kote you will find that your hands sweat an awful lot I'd imagine a five fingered kote to feel considerably more uncomfortable after practice that standard kote. Although clearly the extra grip would be a bonus you'd probably find protection was reduced also.

At the end of the day kote have evolved over time, if the five fingered variety were the best design for the job they'd probably be the standard, not the mitten kind. Of course, consider them if you must but first things first - get thee to a dojo!

[Bloodyjack]

Thanks for all the replies. If I manage to get my hands on a pair with separated fingers, I will try them out but I think I'll buy normal kote at first (of course) what with the safety issues and whatnot. Ah, and again, this is if I ever get bogu. I'm not spending hundreds of dollars on armor I don't need yet. Thanks. :)

[hl1978]

I want to try lacrosse gloves for the heck of it sometime. Won't be legal in shiai, but I am curious if they are advantageous or not. When I first started one of the other students had 11 fingers and used them until he got custom kote.