Kote question

[Preacher]

Guys,

It seems that the first part of the Kote to break is the leather on the palm. I'm assuming it's because the leather gets wet from sweat and hardens and then cracks.
Does anyone use some sort of cream to keep it moist and tough.
I use to work in the building industry and my hands would get hard and dry and blistered of course. I'd use a hand moistureiser and it would aid in thickening the skin and keeping it tough.

[taganahan]

after every practice, air dry your kote and everything else but do not place it under direct sunlight.

~taganahan

[Nanbanjin]

Some people keep their kote in a plastic bag to keep them moist.
I stretch my kote palm leather before each practice. I also sweat profusely which seems to stop them drying out. Whatever you do your kote palms will one day wear out and will need to be repaired or replaced.

[Hai_hai]

Guys,

It seems that the first part of the Kote to break is the leather on the palm. I'm assuming it's because the leather gets wet from sweat and hardens and then cracks...
I think it's basic friction where the kote grips the shinai. It doesn't break from what I've seen, a hole forms.

[Preacher]

Thanks for the response guys.

Last question, which is related; has anyone tryed any sort of product on the palm?

[Hai_hai]

Thanks for the response guys.

Last question, which is related; has anyone tryed any sort of product on the palm?
I know a lot of people who do nothing to the palm. They just make sure the kote gets to dry after every practice.
I think, and it's an opinion, because the palm is made of deer skin and it is smoked, you don't want to add anything. I don't know why they smoke it. It smells nasty and adding something may make it worse. I guess because you don't have bogu, you don't know what I mean.

[Masahiro]

yes, you want to make sure you dry your kote after each practice. But also take note not to "over-dry" them. Kepp them a little moist by your sweat.

[Preacher]

No Hai Hai,

I know what you mean. The leather itself is smoked. They way they smoke it is probably in a smoke house pre-cutting and stitching it.
I really don't know why they'd do that either. I would have thought that the leather would be tougher and more durable in a non smoked state.
However smoking it would preserve the outside part of the skin. It would be just like smoking meat, which I do sometimes. Tastes grea too, not the Kote. That probably doesn't taste good, although I haven't tasted it, hmmmmm! :-)

[Preacher]

This is what I don't get, drying them and keeping them a little moist from your sweat would I thought still damage the leather. The salt from the sweat would eat at the leather.
You'd in theory want to add something that would equalise the salt level.

[Nazo]

Well,yes the kote(palm leather)does get friction and forms holes rather than breaks,and the salt from ones sweat adds up to that,I agree to that....,
you could try using coconut oil as it is a good leather nourisher

I've used it and it works. Keeps it moist but be wary to put only a little bit,
cause coconut oil reaks mighty strong! I've done some research on this,some/most leather care products include coconut oil and some kumdo shops actually use coconut oil as a nourisher for example if you ever buy/bought Sehyun kumdo kote,you'd notice the kote palm leather actually smells of coconut oil. I've also asked some kumdo(/kendo)shops here in korea and yes they agree to the use of coconut oil for the kote palm.

Hope that helps!

[Masahiro]

Is this "coconut" oil used on the side where you grip the shinai? or is it applied onto the surface that comes in direct contact with your hands?

[Nazo]

Is this "coconut" oil used on the side where you grip the shinai? or is it applied onto the surface that comes in direct contact with your hands?
Doesnt matter much,its actually a matter of preference where you'd
rather apply it,since applying it to any side of the kote palm leather,
gets absorbed all the same....,I put in on the side where one grips the
shinai as I dont want it absorbed by the other internal parts of the kote,
coconut oil smells strongly! And besides the shinai grip side is more easily
accessible,but you could do both if you like as I said its a matter
of preference on what surface side of the kote palm you'd want to apply it!

[Hai_hai]

This is what I don't get, drying them and keeping them a little moist from your sweat would I thought still damage the leather. The salt from the sweat would eat at the leather.
You'd in theory want to add something that would equalise the salt level.
Since you don't have bogu, don't sweat it (pun intended). Kote palms don't spontaneously combust into five thousand holes if you don't oil them after 2 practices. The leather will wear down eventually and a small hole will develop. You can re-palm them or buy new ones.

[Taek]

I heard the reason for smoking the deer skin is the leather becomes resistant to corrosion by sweat (salt), body oil and acid. Smoking also make the leather look good....but definately not the smell. They smoke to creates the resistant to oil and I wonder if the coconut oil is actually doing anything good to the kote palm.
When I had a hole in my first kote, I cut a piece of leather from my old tsuka (shinai handle) and glued on the hole and it gave me another year till I had to have the palm replaced.

[Kiki]

This is what I don't get, drying them and keeping them a little moist from your sweat would I thought still damage the leather. The salt from the sweat would eat at the leather.
You'd in theory want to add something that would equalise the salt level.

Yup, salt is bad. Blot down kote with a warm damp cloth and remove the salt. It will help your kote last longer and also not smell - so much. Same thing for your men, especially the inside. After 3 years I just got my kote palms replaced - and I could have gone longer. There were a couple of previous hole repairs but overall they held up well.

After every practice I gently smooth out the palms and shape the wrist part to keep it cylinder shape. You don't want it widening out to a cone. I set then out with the rest of my bogu to air dry until the next keiko. No sun, ever.

Once a year or so - even your himo need to have the salt removed to prevent them from becoming too stiff and snapping. Remove them from you bogu and soak them, rinse thoroughly, hang dry.

Can't comment on oil for kote. I'd be careful and ask sensei beforehand.

[Preacher]

Thanks Hai Hai,

Wasn't freaking out that much, more concerned since I've seen the guys in my dojo and the palms on their Kote deteriate with holes. Asked one of the students yesterday how long he's had he's Kote and he replyed, ' 1 year'. I was sort of surprised and started to concern myself.
Coconut Oil might be good though.

[taganahan]

every after practice wipe them with a cloth just to dry them out. i mean, just to take off some of those salt due to sweating.

~taganahan

[Preacher]

Thanks alot guys,

Will take all advice on board and since I'm an enquisitive type guy, I'll probably dig deeper.
Hey just wondering, does Kiki look as good as her Avatar. Maybe I should ask her that. Kiki do you look as good as your Avatar? :-)

[Masahiro]

Kiki's avatar is Riona from Final Fantasy VIII. I have seen a couple girls in real life who looked very much like Riona. But, Riona by far is still far more prettier. Of course Kiki might just be the exception here! I guess we'll wait for her answer.

[Kiki]

You make me laugh! :smiley:
I chose her for a reason but the reasoning can be your fantasy.

[Masahiro]

we made you laugh eh? hahaha, I suppose boy who do kendo can also have a sense of humor. Hmmm... "fantasy" of my choice you say! <smirk :) > why, you've just made my day. hahahhaha. j/k. I hear So Cal has pretty female kendoka(s), perhaps you are just being modest kiki.

on a side note>> I've always liked Riona the best, although I also like Yuna and Lulu from FF X, Riona remains my favoriate, I don't know, I guess I am a sucker for girls that are kinda childish, innocent yet passionate and also kind of "demanding" in always wanting Squall to tell her about his innner feeling. Wow, I am so off topic it's not even funny. Sorry guys.

[taganahan]

ummm....you're inlove with cartoons?:)

~taganahan

[Preacher]

Thank you Kiki, you are too gracious my lady,

Vive Dieu, but tell me, what was the reasoning behind your character?

[Kiki]

She reminds me of someone.

Now back on track boys. Who really uses oil on their kote?
Sweaty, coconut oil smelling kote - sounds like a bad idea.


Thanks Hai Hai,
Wasn't freaking out that much, more concerned since I've seen the guys in my dojo and the palms on their Kote deteriate with holes. Asked one of the students yesterday how long he's had he's Kote and he replyed, ' 1 year'. I was sort of surprised and started to concern myself.
Coconut Oil might be good though.

When you buy your next pair of kote, don't be stingy. A good quality pair will last decades if well cared for; or so I am told by my sensei. Yes, the palms would still need to be replaced every so often just due to wear and tear.

[Preacher]

OK Kiki, back on track,

By the way I'm not a she.

There is one thing you can do to find out if using oils or creams is a good idea.
With one palm, you just wipe down and dry off the sweat, with the other you wipe down, dry and then treat with your oil or what ever your going to use.
Do this for a year and see what heppens. This way you can find out which one is better.

[Masahiro]

ummm....you're inlove with cartoons?:)

~taganahan
<s.i.g.h> I don't know, I guess some parts of me will never grow up. I like those things (anime) I grew up watching and reading them, so naturally I guess I do find the characters appealing .

As for conducting the experiment sake, I'll leave that task for you Preacher. Please let us know the result after a year or two.

p.s. Kiki's no fun. :devious: Dragging us back onto the original track. I recalls girls like that when I was in grade school. Man, it was a love/hate relationship. hahahaha.

[Preacher]

I know what you mean Masahiro,

I found a natural combination that might work well. A mixture of Tea Tree Oil and Lanolin; It's actaully a combination in some leather conditioning products that you can buy.
The Tea Tree Oil is suppose to be good for penetrating the leather and the Lanolin is suppose to preserve and condition the leather. You'd use this mix after wiping down and drying the palms of the Kote of course.
Anyway I'm going to give it a go very soon.

[taganahan]

haha...don't blame any of us if something goes wrong preacher.

~taganahan

[Preacher]

Don't worry yourself, I'm old enough to blame myself these days.

Put it this way, I can't see the harm in using natural products on natural skin. Can only benefit it in my opinion.

[Kiki]

I think I would use jojoba oil because it's so close to our natural skin oils.
But I am not going to try it unless I start have serious problems with dryness.
Just don't want to risk messing them up after just getting them repaired.

Sorry to be mean guys - but sometimes fantasy is more fun than reality.
Oh, and Preacher, I didn't mean to call you a "she" I was referring to Riona
:wink:

[Preacher]

Everyones worried about it?

I'll give it a go. Oh OK Kiki. By the way, where do you practice Kendo?

[Preacher]

@ Nazo,


Was wondering how long have you been using the coconut oil on your Kote? Also has there been any holes appearing in the palms.

[Hai_hai]

I think I would use jojoba oil because it's so close to our natural skin oils...
Think again. jojoba oil + deer skin = crap.

[Kiki]

Think again. jojoba oil + deer skin = crap.

Very possible, good reason why I will not try it myself.

And yet another reason: This weekend I picked up a copy of "Caring For Your Kendo Equipment" ($5.US) and no where does it mention oiling kote palms.

[Kiki]

To be clear, please disregard my previous suggestion


By the way, where do you practice Kendo?
So Ca Kendo Organization at Studio City Dojo aka OSULA.

[Preacher]

How many in your class?

[Kiki]

Varies between 30 - 50. From about 7 or 8 years old to senior Sensei. Majority are Kyu or beginners.

[Preacher]

Are the majority Asian students?

They are in my class. Usually only a couple of non Asian out of maybe 40 students.

[Kiki]

Are the majority Asian students? They are in my class. Usually only a couple of non Asian out of maybe 40 students.
We are pretty diverse group in the San Fernando Valley. All Japanese Sensei and the members: American kenshi of all shades and others from Japan, Korea, China, Russia, Armenia, Africa, Europe and the Philippines. It's a lot of fun.

[Preacher]

Is your Sensei a funny type guy or is he always serious when teaching class?