new, very old bogu

[Enderin]

Hi,

im just about to recieve a bogu set from my sensei.
the bogu was used by many people as I have been told, and Im pretty sure I will have to fix it alittlebit.

Its troublesome in my country to find any "bogu fixing" materials, so I come to you guys with this question,

how can I make the bogu better (even alittle, especially the kote and men)
without sending it away to fixing, because that will be even more expensive then buying a new one. my sensei told me its good to lubicate the skin of the kote every couple of months so it won't crumble, but thats good if you have a skin in the kote...

so, any tips?

[drizzt]

might try replacing the palms of the kote if there getting bad. ill try tonight to find you a place that might ship internationaly with leather, or i would be happy to send you whatever you order(you buy it ande ship it here ill send it to you)im realy not shure what leather would be best though

[Chusan]

how can I make the bogu better (even alittle, especially the kote and men)
without sending it away to fixing...
You might like to add some leather to the targets on Kote and Men. This can be done easily with needle and thread and maybe adhesive tape (double-tape).
If the items are very used you may add some padding inside. You can fix some close-cell-foam (pieces of camping-mat) with double-tape inside the Kote or the Men.
For "visual improvements" just use fabric, needle and thread - and lots of time...

[Enderin]

many thanks

[Bruce Mitchell]

If you can get your hands on deer skin, it is best for fixing the palms on your kote. Look around your area for a place that makes or sells gloves, or maybe a leather shop (plenty of those here in San Francisco :) ). Cow leather tends to stiffen with sweat, deer leather will stay soft.