Kote Himo

[RC_Kenshi]

For some reason, the himo on my left kote have worn out (to the point where they actually frayed enough to break). I've looked at most of the bogu shops and while most carry replacement himo for men and do, none seem to carry kote himo.

I do seem to remember reading a while back that someone suggested a fabric store or something like that and just looking for blue cord as an acceptable replacement for kote himo. Is that what most people do? Anyone have an idea of about how long of "cord" I need to replace a pair of kote himo (I know I could just remove the himo from one of the kote and measure it, but I figured someone may know off hand).

Any other ideas?

Thanks,

RC_Kenshi

[Neil Gendzwill]

I'm not sure of the length. If you do get it from the store, it's hard to find the right colour and feel but it's not critical. Most shops carry them, e-bogu has them here (http://www.e-bogu.com/Kote_Himo_p/ank-hak-himo-kote.htm), or just ask if you don't see it on some shop's website.

[RC_Kenshi]

Thanks Neil. I could have sworn I looked for them at e-bogu. Guess I need to be a little more methodical.

Thanks,

RC_Kenshi

[tango]

Several years ago and several kote ago, I had a similar issue and I wound up going to the grocery store (of all places), found some hiking boot shoelaces and just used those.

They were a little long, but I just knotted them up a bit, cut with scissors and then burned the frayed edges.

Worked perfectly.

[GothMelancolia]

Same thing…cotton boots laces (and I found blue)…cut them with a scissors they feel better then my new kote himo (I suspect a little plastic in the new ones since they feel different but maybe it’s something related with the dying process I don’t know).
The word I found that describes the kind of shop I’ve been is “haberdashery”, (I don't know if its' the right word ?/basically is a shop where you find small articles for sewing)
And yes, to measure them I removed one and brought it with me.
This is usually a solution for people that pay about 30+ euro as a shipment fee for any kind of order from an online kendo shop :D…you guys are so lucky

[GothMelancolia]

sorry shoelaces :D...my English is worst then I thought...have to get more coffee