How often does one change himos?

[delphideo]

I've been using bogu for a year now, and my men himos are starting to get thin and frayed in some parts (I've been going to class 4 time a week), while my do himos are in better shape. How often and when does one change himos? Until they break or should I replace them sooner?

[KevinF]

Like tires, replace the himos as needed. They serve a function, and having them break during practice is annoying.

Having said that, replace them before testing, as they should not be frayed or in an unsightly, worn condition.
:smiley:

[Rularn]

Your bogu himos should rarely be replaced, especially your doh himo. Men himo tends to fray and thin when tied/placed incorrectly and/or are not flat during practice. While your men himo will eventually thin and fray/break, you first want to make sure they is flat and low when you tie them. Otherwise even at 4 times a week, it should be something you would have to do every couple of years at least.

[Dave Fowler]

If your tying them correctly they should last a very long time. I've had practices varying from 2-3 times per week for the last 6 years, and I'm still on my original men strings.

[Gerald Audette]

I have to agree with Kevin F - replace them as needed. Even if they're tied properly, they do suffer wear and tear from useage. I had men-himo that bust in the middle of a seminar, just before my tournament fight. Replace them as needed, and keep a spare. What I did was replaced my himo and repaired my old ones for a back up.

Cheers

[Stimpson J. Cat]

There are different grades of himo, when you replace them consider spending a few extra bucks to get the highest grade (matsu) the men will feel better and they'll probably last longer.

[Yo...osh!]

Hi, my men himo is wearing out a bit. Which part of the men is actually doing damage to the men himo?

[Rularn]

It isn't the men that damages the himo, it is the constant hits from someone else's shinai on that part of the himo. Men himo's tend to fray and break right near the top of your men near the front as that is where most people will be tagging your men when they hit it. Having your himo twisted and higher up then everything else in that area lets it take the bulk of the damage. That is why you should always made your himo flat and low when you tie them (that is, when you use regular style of tying and not okinawa).

[tantadi]

I've changed mine after 8 months. Some of the fraying is probably because of me having the bad habit of tilting my head against the "axe murders", so the shinai hits the top of the mengane. I also tie the himo quite high.

[Yaiba]

I'm just wondering if anyone can help me with my query...

I recently got brand new Men Himo from Koei and I've only used them 7-8 times so far, yet they're already starting to fray. The funny thing is that each time I put on my Men, I make sure the Himo is tied nicely flat and low... and I couldn't comprehend how after just 7-8 times of using it that my new Himo can start fraying so soon. When I put on my Men at home in front of the mirror, I noticed that the frayed part of the Himo was where it runs along the bottom of the vertical bar at the top of the Mengane... and none of the fraying occurs where the Himo is in contact with the Futon or the black-lacquered part.

So, my question is: how could my Himo be fraying so soon, especially when other people have said they've been using their's for years? Could it just be that my Himo are low-quality and this is the norm? (My Himo were provided for free so I assume they were the cheapest ones available.)

Your help would be appreciated. Cheers.

[piggy]

i'd have to guess thats its just the low quality because no other reason makes sense.


the himo arent terribly expensive so get the top quality ones as long as you're fine with it.
if they are fraying, buy new ones. (back to car tires) if your car tires had no traction, wouldnt you want new tires?

[Hai_hai]

I change mine every week.

[Tiki-kun]

I just replaced my Men himo for the 2nd time in a span of 6 years. Both times they snapped while tying on the men due to wear from men strikes. I get the highest quality ones offered, as they are easier to tie/untie, and they wear really well. Even though I’ve never had to replace them, I ordered a set of spare Do himo to keep in my bogu bag as well - just in case. Shipping kills on little stuff like this out in Hawaii!