Bogu Help

[coronzon]

I'm reaching out to seasoned kendoists regarding bogu advice. I've read the sticky and still at a loss to which site would be recommended (US). I have a $600-$700 budget. Ive used e-bogu for shinai and been eyeing their 3mm that's on special. http://www.e-bogu.com/Top-Quality-3MM-Kendo-Bogu-4G-p/ank-ken-bog-3mm-4g.htm

Is this a set that would last a while?
Anyone able to recommend a better set within the price range?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

-cor

[cr720]

Just thought I'd pass this along, but Miyako just posted a new set for a ridiculously low introduction price:

https://www.kendo-bogu.com/ProductDe...de=TSUBASA-SET

I'm looking into a new set myself and just emailed them for some more details on it. I was also looking at that same set that you posted, so I'm curious to see if anyone else has any experience with it.

[jjcruiser]

Just thought I'd pass this along, but Miyako just posted a new set for a ridiculously low introduction price:

https://www.kendo-bogu.com/ProductDe...de=TSUBASA-SET

I'm looking into a new set myself and just emailed them for some more details on it. I was also looking at that same set that you posted, so I'm curious to see if anyone else has any experience with it.

Beat me to it. I was going to suggest the same thing.

[coronzon]

Jj, cr..thank you both for responding. Thats a beautiful bogu and looks to be quality materials for the price point. Id be interested to see what info you get in response to your email.

[nimrod19]

Jj, cr..thank you both for responding. Thats a beautiful bogu and looks to be quality materials for the price point. Id be interested to see what info you get in response to your email.

You can't go wrong with a bogu from Miyako. Just email them with your questions so you can weigh your options.

[turboyoshi]

You can't go wrong with a bogu from Miyako. Just email them with your questions so you can weigh your options.

Agreed. I have a more basic set from them and love it. You can pm Andy Fisher, rep from Miyako, he's on the forums as D'Artagnan.

[DigitalDowntown]

I've heard nothing but great things about Miyako's bogu from people who own it and Andy is an excellent resource.

I've had both good and hmmm... cold experiences with eBogu. We have a guy in my dojo who's been in a basic eBogu set for about a year and he loves it. I've seen mixed quality come from them in regards to accessories. My sensei (who normally isn't a big fan of eBogu) has seen that 3mm set that's on special and thinks it's a great value; he recently recommended it to our beginners now shopping for bogu.

Chris, please pass along any useful details you hear from Miyako regarding that 1/2 price set. I'd be happy to mention about it at my dojo.

[cr720]

I just got an email back and the main things I asked about were the tonbo design and the micropunch palms. Here's what I gathered (in my own words)...

The tonbo design is actually for more subtle than the pics suggest, as I had imagined. This is actually nice for me, since I love the quality of that bogu (for the price, too!) but I do prefer a more subtle look.

The micro-punch palms, in Andy's experience, aren't quite as durable as deerskin, but are better than clarino and cow leather. But what I gathered from his response is as long as you take care of them (which I tend to) they will last a good, long time. The big point he mentioned is how much faster they dry then other palm materials.

So I'm pretty much sold on the set. Hopefully I'll be able to catch that sale in time!

[coronzon]

The kote was the only thing making me hesitant, everything else looked wonderful. Being i am a beginner with a low budget, i shouldnt be ultra picky about the little stuff. You have all been ultra helpful. I am seeing kendoist are usually very friendly.

[Cailin Coilleac]

Heh! I guess Miyako have struck a hit with the new Tsubasa set and their current offer!

I've just put in my order for the set. The awesomely huge discount as well as one extra thing were the deal-makers for me. The extra thing? Via Facebook Andy informed me that they offer uchiwa adjustments for folks wearing glasses, free of charge! I do wear glasses and I am very finicky about them, so that really was the thing that sealed the deal.

Can't wait to get my hands on it! 420 euros was more than what I'd originally budgeted. Originally I was eyeing the budget models from Nine Circles (240 euros) and from Kendo24 (350 euros), but I reckon Tsubasa is from a different ballpark. The 50% discount is what made it affordable -enough- for me.

[coronzon]

I wanted to take a moment to thank each of you who took time to respond to my post. This certainly gives me another option I hadn't previously come across.
I will take this information and combine it with other opinions from the dojo. I actually believe a few of the students have this set. I'm really making it a point to speak with as many people as I can after training.

Thanks again!

[Cailin Coilleac]

Are you sure your fellow students have the Tsubasa set? Did they order it elsewhere then? Because Miyako Kendogu just introduced it in their shop a few days ago.

[coronzon]

I am not sure, no. With the information you just supplied, I now highly doubt it is the same. I was basing this as an assumption from the aesthetic. I'll hopefully be talking to some of them after practice (actually, testing) this coming Saturday. I'll let you know how far off I was.

[Cailin Coilleac]

Haha, please do! We're always curious to hear about bogu and how people like them!

[coronzon]

Haha, please do! We're always curious to hear about bogu and how people like them!

Here is what I know for certain;
There are a few people with e-bogu sets (ranging from 3mm to 6mm). The people with the 3mm sets seem happy with them. Others with the 6mm sets are still breaking them in, so no solid feedback on these yet.