What difference does fabric make?

[Tako-kun]

Can anyone explain the exact significance of fabric count in regards to bogu and hakama? I understand that a #10000 hakama is made of heavier fabric than a #7000, but is it closer stitching, or thicker material that is the difference? Then there is the fabric count on the various bogu pieces; #7000, #8000, #8800 and maybe others. Is there a noticable difference between the various types? Is the quality of different company's fabric of, say, #8000 vary, the way 2mm bogu from different companies varies in quality? Is fabric quality more important in any particular part of the bogu, like kote or men?

Thanks in advance. Any other interesting anecdotes about bogu construction are most welcome, since I'm new to kendo, and this stuff is interesting.

[hammock]

the number #10000 refers to the thread count of cotton, or the number of horizontal and vertical per square inch.

so its not "stitching" or "thickness", though #10000 hakamas and gis do feel thicker and softer, and with tender love and care, are good for years of use.

to my knowledge, there are #11000, #10000, #7000 hakamas and gis for sale, usually higher thread count means more expensive. (#11000 japanese made hakama and gi can run up to $500 US)

[hammock]

to add to that...

in my opinion, i feel that cotton thread count is one of the most overlooked things when buying a bogu. most people look at where the bogu was made, the stitch distance (ie 2.0mm), what kind of leather, titanium mengane, how many lines on tare etc... but cotton material is so often overlooked. 90 percent of the material in a bogu is cotton, and close stitching on a crappy fabric is gonna show wear and tear pretty quickly.

[smith]

Totally agree with Hammock. CIP - my 10000# hakama from Musashigo is still free of holes after twelve years of solid use. If you're going to buy a cotton hakama, there's no reason to buy any less than 10000#. The lower grade fabrics tend to go floppy after a few years. Spend the extra, you won't regret it.