Now, you may rest in peace.Originally Posted by litige
Now, you may rest in peace.
Black Belt from the Karate Institute of Karate
Would you post a first-impressions review? I'm curious to hear about it.
Yes I will.
First of, it's the Eguchi 5.5 mm. The first thing that got out of the box was the kote. They where some korean made 3, 2.5 or 2mm kote (didn't measure the switch) instead of the one picture on the site, the thing I now is that they cost the same, so they sent these (maybe because they didn't had Xl large 5.5 Kote or didn't had it in stock). I tried them, they fit me like glove, just the perfect size, very comfy, and nice padding. After that I digged for the Men. Very simple ( like in really not RBSO) with cheap leather triming, cheap tsuki ago, very simple again (I say cheap in not intricate, not in, badly made) the side flaps are not stiff, but loose (more after breakage) the top partion if a bit stiff, and the back of the Men (about 1 inch large) is really close stiched, for protection. The fit is perfect, exactly what I asked for. After that I took the do and tare out. The tare is loose (ie really not stiff) with 5.5 mm stiching, 3 line decoration, cheap leather trimming, etc. It fits they way it is supposed to be, as is the do (fiber). The Do is not shiny. It's not matte, but not mirror shiny. If fits me well, but since I didn't have hakama and gi, couldn't try it well. anyway, I'll see how it performs in practice and after 6 years.
Mowing the lawn is BLOWING MY MIND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sounds great. Good luck with it!
Received the men and kote from Chibabogu 2 days ago and after trying them in keiko all I can say is "WOW". The textiles were made by Mitsuboshi, but assembled by Chibabogu I believe.
After training with a super stiff men (especially the men flaps - just ask Taek), the ease in shoulder movements whist wearing the Mine men is superlative. It's like as if the flaps didn't exist at all. It's the single most important feature which impresses me the most - it actually made a difference in my kendo. I was definitely more relaxed during jigeiko. In the past I used to struggle with the stiff men flaps at times - it seems to work against me. The monomi is well placed, so I don't look downward any more, thus improving my posture. The men itself does not require much break-in at all - put it on and it fits like a glove. Protection is of course good. Workmanship is first class. Worth every penny.
The kote, being custom made, fit my hands very well. The deer skin palms offer good grip, and together with the superior fit, I was able to grip the shinai more securely. It offers better protection than my 1.2bu kote, is lighter and also more flexible.
The men and kote definitely do not look bling - their functionalities outweigh their looks. Don't take me wrong, they're not ugly ducklings by any means.
All in all, I have nothing but heaps of praise for the superlative quality and exceptional customer service. Michael Komoto, international customer service manager and KW team member, is exceptionally helpful and patient, and answered all my emails promptly. I can't see myself looking past Chibabogu for my next set in the future.
You are now a rich-boy show-off.
Black Belt from the Karate Institute of Karate
Hi Andrew, so good to hear that you are happy with your chiba men and kote.
I've seen and felt Andrew's previous men and the men flaps were I guess...about twice thicker than my men. I first thought it would give more protection but it looked very stiff as Andrew described. I had a few email exchanges with Komoto san regarding repairing my current men with monomi problem and he was so fast getting back to me with so much details. It was such a great learning experience and I've so much trust with Chiba bogu. My parents-in-law's place is in Chiba so when i visit them next year the Chiba boguya will be my first shopping place. I'd love to come and have a look at your men and kote next week. I've been having a bit of rest because of my trigger finger problem.
Tek
No worries Taek - take good care of your finger.
By the way, we're giving a demo tomorrow at the Opera House (3 for 3.30pm start) as part of the asian festival. We're meeting at 3pm outside the steps. Drop in if you can
I had a look at Andoru's new Chiba mine men and kote today. Guys!! totally mind blowing. Even though it is 6mm machine stitched, it is totally different to what you might imagine. Well, I can relly see what Chiba bogu tried to do with this new design of bogu. Totally pratical bogu that gives maximum mobility as well as protection. It has got plenty of padding on the top of men and kote's arm part.
In fact I've never seen any other bogu with such a thick padding before. No wonder why my head and wrist hurt so much when I'm struck in my 1.2 bu bogu with only probably as little as 1/3 of mine's padding. For the sake of looking after my own brain, I should seriously think about save some money and get the mine men soon.
Tek
I was browsing through Chiba Bogu's catalog and noticed its more expensive stitched sets are fitted with non-IBB menganes, while its (relatively) cheaper Mine is fitted with IBB.
From what's available on this forum, I've always thought that the IBB is the best mengane due to its better weight distribution, but if this is true then it would make sense for all the top-end bogus to offer IBB menganes. Or is it that there are better menganes than the IBB?
I would appreciate any advice on this issue. Thanks!
I'm sure IBB mengane can be requested.
Andorus....reading Taek review on ur men make me wana buy (planing) mine chiba bogu...do u mind show picture of ur men...thankss....
Yesterday I finally received my new kote from Chiba Bogu. I started the ordering process in early August and finalized it in mid-late August. Fortunately, last night was also a kendo night, so I got to put them into use as well.
First, they look great. I won't post any pictures because they look like the ones in the picture on the website. They're very comfortable as well, and allow full freedom of motion with my hands and wrists. At the end of one night's practice, they seem to be almost fully broken in.
Second, the protection is magnificent. At first, I did notice that strikes felt more like a gentle push than a sharp strike like they did in my other kote, though normal strikes didn't cause pain through my old pair either. I realized how good they really are when a beginner hit high and left a welt with the weave of my keikogi visible. Watching him with another person, his missed kote were ending up at knee height. When his strikes were on target, all I felt was the same soft push on my wrist. Even strikes across the knuckles or wrist joint itself wern't painful.
Assuming that these kote are reasonably durable, I don't ever see getting another model. I might end up getting another pair, though after their performance last night, I'm saving up for a men and possibly a tare.
Kent Enfield
流水浮木
Kendoka in Oregon, please stop pretending to hit hard. It's causing a false sense of security for Kent.
Black Belt from the Karate Institute of Karate
Help. I have tried a number of times to download Chibabogu's Catalogue, only to wait aprox 40 min and the darn thing not work! Please, if anyone could post this catalogue or give some prices it would be greatly appreciated!
BTW--congrat's on the new Bogu.
Truth outstands the pillars of time.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks