Bogu Recommendations ?? What should I get?

[Flylkorean]

I`ve been doing for about 9 months now, and I`m wating for my sensei to give me the ok sign to start wearing bogu. Alot of the higher motodachi & the sensei have told me to start searching and explore bogu from different shops. They told me some shops such as E-bogu & Eguchi, but did not tell me what exactly to look for in bogu. My Budget is $500-$525 at MAX ( my mom told me that half a grand is way to much for bogu, so im actually putting my own savings as well with her help to purchase it). I`d like to buy a bogu that would last me for a long time.

- Are there any recommendations out there for which bogu I should purchase?

& 1 more question..sorry if its stupid :P

- I have spikey hair ( which most asian teens my age have :P).. anyways if I put my men on while my hair was spiked, would it make any complications? Have any of you had complications with your hair spiked or gel in your hair?

[KendokaJim]

Take a look at bogubag.com, they have awesome prices on high quality bogu. Your hair will definitely get flattened in your men, but the tenegui should absorb the gel.

[eXact]

I am also very uncertain about bogu. Looking throught the sites all the different bogu look the same in each picture either if its 500 or 7000 dollars. If just wondering if me being the beginner that i am, will i even feel any difference if i put on a typical bogu set or if i were to wear the expensive deer skin, hand-sewed stuff?

[Neil Gendzwill]

As a beginner, you'll feel the difference. But unfortunately you'll also feel it in your wallet. At your budget, I recommend bogubags GZ17 special for $US427, shipping, tenugui and bag included. After exchange and duty, you'll probably be out $CDN560 or so. If that's just too much, you may have to go to a Korean supplier but be sure to check shipping costs and allow for a bag.

[kanyil]

I have spikey hair ( which most asian teens my age have :P).. anyways if I put my men on while my hair was spiked, would it make any complications? Have any of you had complications with your hair spiked or gel in your hair?

Umm, I think that's the least you have to worry about mate. Most people would be thinking "shower" or "water" right after practice.

Try not to wear gel to practice, it's no fun getting gel-mixed sweat into your eyes.

[Masahiro]

Neil gives good advices! I will second his suggestion. .. ...

[ben spain]

I have a set of 2.5mm armour, three shinai, a Bogu bag and a shinai bag from e-kendo and am very happy with all of them.

Have a look - but as Niel says - make sure you ask about postage and take customs tax into consideration. www.e-kendo.com/us (http://www.e-kendo.com/us)

[Flylkorean]

I also have only access to ebogu and eguchi if i decide to go straight to the warehouse and buy it... Wouldn`t it be better for me to buy at eguchi or ebogu since I`m a first timer at buying bogu and they could measure me thoroughly??

[JoonShik]

i think it is a good idea to wharehouse because they hav samples and you can just check it out if its a good or not.

i recomend you to go to e-bogu, they hav a cheaper price:wink::)

[Neil Gendzwill]

We have a couple of students who have e-bogu equipment and they are also happy, so I'd say go ahead and visit there. I don't have direct experience with eguchi but I've heard only good reports. Just remember you get what you pay for - with your budget you're getting entry-level equipment. Don't expect a miracle deal.

[Hai_hai]

I`ve been doing for about 9 months now, and I`m wating for my sensei to give me the ok sign to start wearing bogu. Alot of the higher motodachi & the sensei have told me to start searching and explore bogu from different shops. They told me some shops such as E-bogu & Eguchi, but did not tell me what exactly to look for in bogu. My Budget is $500-$525 at MAX ( my mom told me that half a grand is way to much for bogu, so im actually putting my own savings as well with her help to purchase it). I`d like to buy a bogu that would last me for a long time.

- Are there any recommendations out there for which bogu I should purchase?

& 1 more question..sorry if its stupid :P

- I have spikey hair ( which most asian teens my age have :P).. anyways if I put my men on while my hair was spiked, would it make any complications? Have any of you had complications with your hair spiked or gel in your hair?
Bogu recommendation you seek? Five-hundred dollars your budget is. $400 bogu you can find.

Way of the rich-boy show-off bad it is. Much they spend. Quick to quit they do.

[Flylkorean]

I don`t think i'll be quiting lol. I`'ve gotten this far , its a waste to quit now
But most importantly I`m not quitting because I'm determined to Learn .. all the way.. :]

[Flylkorean]

sooo go visiting ebogu is the best thing to do ??

[Hai_hai]

sooo go visiting ebogu is the best thing to do ??
It's a good thing to do. It's not a bad thing to do. But, it's not the best thing to do.
I hope that answers your question.

[rainmaker]

I would listen Neil's advise. E-bogu and E-guchi are selling high quality bogu set worth about $1000. If your budget is $500, you should consider bogubag or other Korean companies....


sooo go visiting ebogu is the best thing to do ??

[rainmaker]

Have you already bought uniform ?? If you don't have uniform, it wouldn't be different cases...


I would listen Neil's advise. E-bogu and E-guchi are selling high quality bogu set worth about $1000. If your budget is $500, you should consider bogubag or other Korean companies....

[Neil Gendzwill]

I would listen Neil's advise. E-bogu and E-guchi are selling high quality bogu set worth about $1000. If your budget is $500, you should consider bogubag or other Korean companies....
Say what now? Bogubag is the US agent for Koei, a Japanese company. They sell a wide range of products, mostly sourced in Japan although I believe some of their low-end stuff may be Korean. E-bogu sells mostly low and mid-priced products sourced in Korea.

[rainmaker]

You cannot buy from Bogubag since they are temorary closed.. I also meant to say it includes uniform and boguset.

I have known one of bogu maker in Suwon, Korea, who has been custom making bogu set for last 35 years for well known Japanese company. It takes about 4 months to make one but his boguset is being sold at tens of thousands dollars in Japan. Of course, they never say it is made in Korea.

But most Japanese high/middle quality products are made from Korea. Meanwhile most of Korean companies(Kendoshop and e-bogu) is selling Chinese boguset. I am not sure if e-bogu is selling Chinese made or Korean made. But I believe that most Korean bogus are custome made and is being sold at very high price. Pre-made bogus that are being sold in Korea are mostly made in China...



Say what now? Bogubag is the US agent for Koei, a Japanese company. They sell a wide range of products, mostly sourced in Japan although I believe some of their low-end stuff may be Korean. E-bogu sells mostly low and mid-priced products sourced in Korea.

[Keikoboy]

As Rainmaker states, many bogus are manufactured in China. Does that mean the quality of the bogus fall behind? not necessarily. Many individuals here in the forum always state Korean or Chinese manufactured items as a second rate equipments but in my opinion, if you are looking for an affordable bogu sets or any Kendo equipments for that matter, it doesn't matter where it's manufactured. As long as the quality is surpass the standards, what difference does it make? Unless you want to order and can afford a customized hand made bogu set from some famous bogu maker in Japan.

I ordered from Eguchi, e-bogu & e-mudo and as far as the quality is concerned, I really can't seem to tell any difference and it almost looks as if they are all ordering from a same manufacturer anyway. Different strokes for different folks I guess.