Brand New to Kendo and need good advice! (Muryama or KendoStyle?)
 

Hello everyone,
My name is Bryan and I am new to Kendo. I have only been going to class a month or so but I have enjoyed watching and have been fascinated with kendo for many years. Tomorrow (Sunday the 7th) I'm going to two bogu companies in the San Jose area and I'm not sure if their products are very similar in quality but I think I need a little extra help to figure out which company makes a better bogu. I have read the bogu facts post and looked up lots of different information about bogu but I'm still brand-new and don't know enough about these companies or bogu in general to make an accurate decision.

The first company I am going to is Muryama & the second company is kendo style. The guy at Kendo style told me he was running a special, 2 mm bogu for $800.
I think the guy at Muryama wants more like $900 or $1000, but I'm not %100 sure on that!

I asked them both if they were made of deer hide or synthetic materials and both told me dear hides and other high quality materials.
A few of the students at my club have bogu by Muryana, But nobody has any by Kendo style. I wonder if this is because of the quality difference or if they just like the guy?

Some people have given me advice to get something simple and inexpensive as my first set of Bogu. I really don't know if I want to do that and this is my thinking why....

Number one, I am definitely not the type of person to take up something and not follow through %100 so good quality bogu would not be a waste in my opinion.
Number two, I'm a paycheck to paycheck guy, most of the time I have very little or no disposable income. I had a financial blessing happen to me recently and now that I have paid off all of my bills I still have $800 to spend on myself. I don't know when the next time will be that I can spend (or will even have) $800 or $900 for Bogu.
I am told that the tighter the stitching the better the protection and your bogu will also last longer! Another good reason to "go big" so to speak!
And third... I like to have good quality items (things that are built to last!)
So to cut down on all this blabbing what should I do?? Should I buy a 2 mm bogu from KendoStyle or should I buy a 3 or 4 mm bogu from Muryama?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your time and patience with such a newbie.

7 views in 15mins! But not one reply? Please my dear Kenshi, i'm going tomorrow and I don't want to make a $800 oops....

I would go cheaper. You can say that you will follow through, but it's impossible to know such a thing beforehand. Many beginners quit just after getting and wearing bogu, because it's either not what they expected, painful/ uncomfortable, or they don't like having the tables turned on them by their senpai (i.e they're no longer just receiving, they can hit back now).

I spent a ton on my first set of bogu and received a bit of contempt, so I regret it a bit (thought it's been a few years and it's held up nicely...). Buying a cheaper set is not only better for your financial well-being, but sometimes it's also considered vain for a noob to buy a nice kit right off the bat.

Of course, you can still do what you want. But I would just go with what the others in your dojo tell you. So...the best and most common answer to these questions: Ask your Sensei.

The first thing I would do is a search here and read the recommendations. I have a 2mm set and often wish I had done more research before I bought. 2mm is too tight in my opinion, the bogu is very stiff, and stiff especially in the beginning phase is not a good thing, at least in my opinion. I would recommend getting at least a 3 or 4mm set, quality at that price will most likely be premade with a limited amount of options and fit, the point being most of the bogu is going to be off the shelf and mostly the same. Anyway I would ask your teacher all these questions first, he has probably done business with those companies and might know the nuances of the bogu, the bogu guides here are also very helpful and a good resource.

I have seen Muryama bogu, good. Haven't seen Kendo Style yet. 2mm is very stiff for my taste, but many people using 2mm

I would also recommend going cheaper.
It will do you well for your first 3-4 years, and at that time you will probably be looking to replace kote and possibly Men also.
Then is the time to upgrade.

Why did you make the same thread twice? See my reply in the bogu-thread. But I'm hopeful someone will close that or this one down.

Hello Shinsengumi77,
I understand many beginners come and go but I am not this type of fellow. I have been a practitioner of Martial arts for over a score and even if this sport and/or Art is not what I expected, painful or uncomfortable I will preserver! I really don't want to appear vain however.... Is there a middle of the road? I asked my Sensei and he told me he is not %100 on them but they both probably good. I was just hoping for some extra help

Hi Toecutter, (ouch by-the-way..lol)
My Sensei said that the club has done business with Muryama before and he has been pretty good but I can check the other as well...
So the closer the stitching is not only more protection but a tighter fit? I am going to read the bogu facts agian right now to refresh...

Sorry, new to this, was thinking maybe only some would see the topic and just wanted to be sure to get some help.....tomorrows coming fast and I'm sure you can tell, the newbies a little excited...
I wont do that again and i'll change my username... I had it a long time ago we I put Kendo Pendants on the site.
Again very sorry.

The spacing of the stitch doesn't necessarily have anything to do with protection. As some others pointed out above your first set will probably be short lived so I wouldn't go crazy. Once your kendo progresses to a certain level you'll have a much better understanding of what you want and need. The only way to get to that level is time so I wouldn't go crazy buying a really nice set because there will be a good chance your opinion of it will change with time. Personally when I bought the 2mm I thought it was the best thing, after a few years I realized I would have been much better off with a wider stitch. But again your tastes will change with time, mine have just gravitated away from the card board feel and tight stitching.

Hello Toecutter, (I am back and I changed my UserName.. I'm sorry everyone, I wasn't trying to be a spammer.)
Thank you for you feedback... helps a lot...
So going 2mm doesn't sound like a great idea... Maybe I should go with a 4mm?
Any thing I want to make sure about before buying, besides what it says in bogu facts??? Any thing personal you like or don't like about your or any other bogu?

Quick question for you Shinsengumi77..... Im looking at the part of your reply that says "I spent a ton on my first set of bogu and received a bit of contempt, so I regret it a bit (thought it's been a few years and it's held up nicely...). Buying a cheaper set is not only better for your financial well-being, but sometimes it's also considered vain for a noob to buy a nice kit right off the bat."

But when I look in bogu facts I see statement 8 of part 2. "What should I budget for a beginner bogu set? I found something a lot cheaper, why should I spend so much?"

"The low end for decent quality bogu is around $US400, and you probably shouldn't spend any more than $US1000.
In the end, you get what you pay for. It's difficult to compare apples and apples when shopping mail order, or even if you see the goods in person. Quality shows up in the use and over the long haul, which is why having a supplier you can trust is important. In the end bogu is protective equipment for your own physical safety, so really think about whether or not you want to skimp on protective gear."

This sounds like sound advice? What do you think? I thought the cheaper sets were $400-$600...? Is $800 really a vain move? What does a middle of the road bogu cost?

I am confused Manuka...? You and Shinsengumi77 say go cheaper then my $800 budget but when I look in bogu facts I see statement 8 of part 2. That says...
"What should I budget for a beginner bogu set? I found something a lot cheaper, why should I spend so much?"

"The low end for decent quality bogu is around $US400, and you probably shouldn't spend any more than $US1000.
In the end, you get what you pay for. It's difficult to compare apples and apples when shopping mail order, or even if you see the goods in person. Quality shows up in the use and over the long haul, which is why having a supplier you can trust is important. In the end bogu is protective equipment for your own physical safety, so really think about whether or not you want to skimp on protective gear."

This sounds like sound advice? What do you think? I thought the cheaper sets were $400-$600...? Is $800 really a vain move? What does a middle of the road bogu cost?

This is posted at places. bloody hell. Well, I'm a lazy bastard so if you want to know what I think read this:

http://www.kendo-world.com/forum/sho...ry-appreciated.

I got a 2 mm from kendoshop for €500 (€1 was $1,5 at the time). It still looks great. Please be patient, you've got loads of time to get into bogu. A $ 500 will last for years, if you take good care of it. By the time you need new equipment, you've save up enough get better stuff. $800 looks nicer, but doesn't do a better job than a $500 bogu when it comes to protection. Look at me, I'm still in one piece http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...es/biggrin.gif

thanks guys, its getting clearer....

Well, $800 needs to include my bogu bag and a shinai bag so I guess im not in it a full $800...
But I get what you guys are saying

And thank you for your help and time.

Just talked to my Sensei, guess I have a little longer then I thought.
still appreciate all your help and input everyone!

http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ilies/ermm.gif That's just silly. Unless you were bragging, I don't see why anyone would say anything at all.

Why put so much weight behind the opinions of gossiping, envious people? If you're simply doing your best to stay well equiped and not be wasteful, they have no rights to say anything at all.