2mm, 4mm, 5mm, 8mm?

[AkuSokuZan]

I believe there was a previous thread about this but just so I can ask, Whats the difference between all the mm's for bogus? I bought my bogu second hand and have been using it for a year now without knowing the difference (I don't even know what mm my bogu is). If anyone can just clairify that for me I'd be grateful.

Thx ahead,

[drizzt]

the smaller the stitching generaly the higher quality although it vary's with manufacturer.

[kanyil]

http://www.kendo-world.com/forum/showpost.php?p=75938&postcount=4
http://www.kendo-world.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1137&highlight=stitch+width

Bear in mind that stitching width is only a general indication of the level of the bogu. It's hard to compare bogus. Sometimes a wider stitching might not be a bad thing. I have a very stiff 1.2 bu hand-stitched bogu, but it's stiff and not THAT comfortable during extended practice sessions.

I might be ordering a 6mm machine-stitched Mine men from Chibabogu in the near future. We'll see how that compares.

[ISSAC RU]

smaller the better..

BTW .Chirs ....ur bogu looks pretty new..it didn't look like a second hand , 1 year old use bogu..!

[AkuSokuZan]

Tanks, I mean Thanks a lot everyone!! I believe I understand no.

[Andoru]

In my opinion:

- In general, tighter stitch equals better protection because the bogu is stiffer. Stiff bogu is not comfortable to wear though, and it restricts movements. Case in point: Sehyun 1.2bu

- bogu with wider-stitching also offer protection because of its point-impact resistance and shock-absorption (as eludicated by DCPan in the chibabogu thread). That's because of the bigger bumps in between the stitches. In terms of absolute protection, I do find that it is not as protective as the 1.2bu bogu due to the lack of stiffness. That is to say that it is not built like a bomb-proof tank like the Sehyun, but it does offer more than adequate protection. The only difference in this context is observed for the men only (no difference for kote and tare). Of course, wider-stitch bogu is more flexible and comfortable to wear, generally speaking (material quality is also a factor). The trade-off between protection and flexibility is more than worth it. Case in point: Mine 6mm

My observations should be taken as a guide only as it's a comparison between a hand-stitch and machine-stitch bogu from different manufacturers. I'd pick the latter anytime though.

[AkuSokuZan]

Wow! That makes it so much more clear. Thanks a lot (!!!!) Andoru!

[ISSAC RU]

Sweeeet...............

[mark]

I can compare a tightly hand stiched bogu (1.2bu) with a wider machine stiched (3mm) bogu and find that the tigher stitch is lighter, offers more protection, provides a better fit, and permits a greater ease of movement. It has to do with the materrials that are used and the care with which the bogu maker puts everything toguether. You basically get what you pay for.

[DanDan]

^that may be due to the fact that it is hand stitched not that it is a tighter stitch. from what i've heard, 2mm bogu is heavier and less flexible than a 4mm set because the stitching is so tight.

[Lloromannic]

I can compare a tightly hand stiched bogu (1.2bu) with a wider machine stiched (3mm) bogu and find that the tigher stitch is lighter, offers more protection, provides a better fit, and permits a greater ease of movement. It has to do with the materrials that are used and the care with which the bogu maker puts everything toguether. You basically get what you pay for.
It depends on the maker (and sometimes the user). Just one small nit picking though, 1.2 is wider than 3mm

[Andoru]

Comparing hand-stitch and machine-stitch bogu is in my opinion comparing apples to oranges due to the fact that both are stitched differently. Tezashi bogu has "tiles" pattern which machine-stitch bogu lack, and that may or may not have an impact on protection and flexibility. Moreover, tezashi bogu is made with better quality material (generally speaking) which makes comparison with machine-stitch bogu even harder. In my case however, the Mine has much better material than the Sehyun.

In regards to machine-stitch bogu from the same manufacturer, my null hypothesis is that tigher-stitched bogu is stiffer and more inflexible, but offers better absolute protection.