bogu repair - do you do it yourself?

[ben]

I was wondering how many people out there repair their own bogu?

It would be good to have a thread that helped collect resources and share tips for people who were keen to do it themselves.

I've been repairing my own kote for a while (even replaced a whole palm successfully after much blood, sweat and tears) and I've learnt a lot through trial and error, but I still can't make it perfect like it comes from the shop, e.g. how to re-stitch the beading onto the kote palm so that the stitching disappears back under the beading.

What other expertise, advice or experiences do people have?

b

[ben]

Here's a brief list of what I've learned so far:

* Linen thread is best for kote repairs, waxed so that it stays tight while you work. Silk suture is strong but will cut through the leather in a short time. Deer skin is of course the best thing for kote palms but I've never found a local supply as thick as what comes from Japan.

* The best stitch direction for repairing kote is to come up through the palm and leather patch from below, then stitch out over the edge - stitches radiating outwards from the patch. However aim the needle back under the patch slightly on the return stitch (I'm gonna need pics soon!). Well pulled tight it helps to disappear the stitches a little. Small, close together stitches will help to make the repair last for the longest possible time.

* The best needles to use on kote are called "glover's needles" . They have a very sharp triangular end section near the tip the helps go through the leather with minimum force.

* You can renovate your men by buying black and red leather colour change dye (it's kinda thick and glossy like nail polish) to paint around where the men gane joins the men buton.

:)

b

[Hai_hai]

Stitching beading is done basically with the material inside out.

[smith]

Hai hai: can you explain? I don't quite get how this would work with kote palms.

[Hai_hai]

Well, I don't know either. I don't even have bogu or looked at kote palms close up.
If sitching disappears, it is usually because the material was stitched from the opposite side, e.g. clothing, purses, car seats, luggage, furniture, etc. But I really don't know. :) Have a nice day.

[samurai999]

Originally posted by ben
I was wondering how many people out there repair their own bogu?

It would be good to have a thread that helped collect resources and share tips for people who were keen to do it themselves.

b

Those leather strips that hold your do himo in are notorious (on mine) for fraying. I did this..

1.) look for a badly cracked or damaged shinai.

2.) Salvage the nakayui. Cut to same length as the leather strip broken on your dou..

3.) replace broken leather strip with leather strip used for the nakayui.

It is a quick and strong temporary fix. Although, your leather is white instead of black..

Tim

[Hai_hai]

Leather strips for do are sold by Koei.

[samurai999]

ya... everybody sells them.. But I needed a solution right then. This is for emergencies only.

Tim