Owners of Koei S-Series - Your opinion please

[Yaiba]

I'm looking around for a new bogu and I'm finding Koei's S-20 and S-21 to be the most attractive options at the moment, as they're both 3.5mm machine-stitched and seem like they'll last a long time and be quite comfortable to wear. I've read on other KW threads that the S-22 is highly recommended but I'm not wanting to spend that much. If anyone out there has either the S-20 or S-21, could you please provide me with your analysis? I'd appreciate it a lot.

Also, my priorities are for a good Men and Kote so I was thinking about just selecting the 50 Yamato Doh rather than the bamboo versions. What are your thoughts on that? Would it be better/worthwhile to spend that extra money on a bamboo Doh?

Lastly, recommendations/opinions on any other Koei bogu will be highly welcomed as well, although what I'm looking for is more of a flexible bogu that can be broken into easier and will also provide sufficient protection.

Cheers.

[bullet08]

i have been using s-22 since last november. the bogu is fine. but honest truth is i really don't see much difference as far as protection is concerned between this one and very old dojo bogu that i have used before s-22.

i never used bamboo do. i have 50 piece yamadoh (?). this works as well as fiber do that dojo bogu had. tho, it flex a lot, and i could 'feel' the doh cut on my side.

as for kote, it's fine when i'm doing ji-geiko, but when i'm being target for the guys that are not in bogu and even ones in bogu, i definitely need wrist protection.

pete

[Hai_hai]

Is this your first set?
Try the GX-30.

[KendokaJim]

Is this your first set?
Try the GX-30.

If this set was around when I bought mine, I definitely would have gotten this one. Maybe changed the clarino kote for some deer leather, though.

[Yaiba]

Is this your first set?
Try the GX-30.

Yeah, this will be my first set so I'm hoping to get something that will keep me satisfied for a reasonably long time. I'm willing to spend that little bit extra if it means it'll last longer and I won't have any regrets in a few years time.

Actually, I was recently told by my club president that the GX-30 was particularly popular among new kendo starters but it's not really clear to me why... is it because it's considered value for money? What I'm a little hesitant about the GX-30 is the fact that it uses only synthetic leather (or so it seems to say in Koei's Japanese catalogue). I think the S-20 is about AUS$200-300 more than the GX-30 (depending on which Doh type you get) and so I get the impression that paying that little bit more for deerskin is worth it in the end. (Like I said, I'm preferring something that will last me awhile and won't require repairs/replacing).

I'm considering to "mix 'n' match" so I can prioritise on the Men and Kote. My thoughts were: S-21 Men & Kote, S-20 Doh (either 43 stave bamboo or 50 Yamato), Tare is still undecided as KendokaJim's suggestion to get a cheaper one makes sense. Actually, that idea led me to the S-17 and I'm now a little interested in that because of the Sorbothane they use in the Kote especially. Your comments here would be appreciated.

Cheers guys.

[Andoru]

Hey Yaiba - I meant the GZ-17, not the GX-30. I don't know much about the latter I'm afraid.

[Hank]

Hey Yaiba - I meant the GZ-17, not the GX-30. I don't know much about the latter I'm afraid.

I have the GX-30. It's a nice set, but of course I don't have much to compare it to. The kote palms are clarino, but it's really hard for me to tell if any of the other leather is clarino or not. I know the mune is real leather, but the jury is still out on the men and tare trim. If anyone has any more information on this set, please post it or message me. Thanks.

Hank.

[Yaiba]

Hey Yaiba - I meant the GZ-17, not the GX-30. I don't know much about the latter I'm afraid.

Ooops!! Deeply sorry, Mr. President... I'll be more careful in future.

[bullet08]

Tare is still undecided...

get thickest tare you could get. getting hit on hip bone while doing 'do' cut practice is no fun..

so far with my bogu, only thing that really hurts during normal practice is when someone misses do completely and hits me on the hip bone. i could take shot on my upper arm or lower arm above the kote without a blink, but when that shinai hits my hip bone, i can't help but go 'ouch!'.

pete

[Yaiba]

get thickest tare you could get. getting hit on hip bone while doing 'do' cut practice is no fun..

so far with my bogu, only thing that really hurts during normal practice is when someone misses do completely and hits me on the hip bone. i could take shot on my upper arm or lower arm above the kote without a blink, but when that shinai hits my hip bone, i can't help but go 'ouch!'.

pete

Hi Pete (bullet08), thanks for your help so far. I imagine your entire bogu is the S-22, yeah? Are the more expensive Tare generally thicker and thus better for protection? I'm having second thoughts now about getting a cheaper Tare if that is the case...

[KendokaJim]

I have an S-20 men and set of kote that I love. I've been using them 2-3 times a week for about a year and they're holding up really well. The black lacquer hasn't worn off or even come close. I have a 50 yamato do with the more traditional mune and I really like that too. The set shows very little wear and still looks awesome... the indigo is just beginning to fade a bit on the cuff of the kote, but I think it looks cooler that way. (I actually saved quite a bit of money on the tare by going with the one from the GZ-17 set.)