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Post by powerof0ne on Jul 22, 2011 11:57:44 GMT -5
I'm in "negotiations" with somebody I talked to a couple years ago that has a shop in Japan. I'm in current talks with him about prices of an Isami dogi. I'm waiting back from him to see what price and shipping is, to see if it's cheaper than choke sports, fingers crossed! For those of you that don't know. Here in the USA if you want Isami obi or dogi you typically need to go through choke sports...unless you have a friend in Japan  . Which I do, actually..so I may go through him next! Hoping this shop can quote me a good price. I'm actually going for the old school, unbleached dogi  . My point of bringing this up is any of you in the USA that want Isami brand, I'll give you the contact info, if this is for a good price and it's reliable. I'm using myself as the guinea pig. Osu! |
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Post by yoshukai on Jul 22, 2011 18:57:27 GMT -5
Sounds good. All of the Isami gi that I have have been ordered through chokesports. It is very speedy and the customer service is good, but they are a bit on the pricey side.
My wife is from Japan and the next time I buy one, I will ship it to her parents house in Japan and have them send it to me.
Definitely keep us posted on the price difference from chokesports.
On a side note... PO1 where do you get most of your striking shields/kick pads from?
Osu!
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Post by powerof0ne on Jul 23, 2011 21:18:29 GMT -5
I use a lot of Thai pads made by various different companies, focus mitts, and "Thai suit case" for gedan mawashigeri. Ordering my USA big mitt soon and plan on purchasing a second one soon after.
I prefer "Thai pads" because I'm already experienced in holding for combination work with them. I'll often use one Thai pad and one focus mitt, too.
I'm interested in getting the Enshin type of pads, too, but haven't tried it out yet.
I should hear something back from this other shop in Japan, Monday. I expect the price to be around the same as choke sports but if the shipping is 20-30 cheaper they'll definitely sell me on them.
I know many knockdown dojo these days use Thai pads, too. I don't really have a recommendation for what brand to use. A lot of them are close to the same quality these days. The Century brand ones I have seen I'd avoid, though.
Osu!
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Post by yoshukai on Jul 24, 2011 0:07:19 GMT -5
I use a lot of Thai pads made by various different companies, focus mitts, and "Thai suit case" for gedan mawashigeri. Ordering my USA big mitt soon and plan on purchasing a second one soon after. I prefer "Thai pads" because I'm already experienced in holding for combination work with them. I'll often use one Thai pad and one focus mitt, too. I'm interested in getting the Enshin type of pads, too, but haven't tried it out yet. I should hear something back from this other shop in Japan, Monday. I expect the price to be around the same as choke sports but if the shipping is 20-30 cheaper they'll definitely sell me on them. I know many knockdown dojo these days use Thai pads, too. I don't really have a recommendation for what brand to use. A lot of them are close to the same quality these days. The Century brand ones I have seen I'd avoid, though. Osu! I have a pair of Enshin armguards and I like them. I've been on the lookout for isami type arm guards and kick mitts, but no one in the US sells them. You can order them through chokesports, but will pay an arm and a leg for them. I agree about the Century Thai pads. The shock absorption on them sucks royally. I actually traded a pair of Century Thai pads for the Enshin armguards, and and very happy with the trade. Looking forward to seeing if this supplier of yours is any cheaper than Chokesports. Osu! |
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Post by powerof0ne on Jul 24, 2011 0:35:42 GMT -5
Yeah, we'll see . I'm ordering my dogi with some custom embroidery so we'll see, and mix and matching different sizes for pants and top. I know a different employee from the shop contacted me personally a couple of years ago. The snag I might run into with my friend in Japan is him having no proof to show to get certain embroidery on the dogi. I had to show choke sports something once to get certain embroidery. Only took one email, but not sure if it would be as easy for a friend to do on my behalf. Proof being that you're a yudansha, branch chief, etc. I know some people that have just showed their website in the past and this sufficed. Osu! |
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Post by powerof0ne on Jul 25, 2011 8:46:08 GMT -5
Back to the drawing board!
Unless I know somebody that can embroider "Kyokushin" in good kanji near me, it's not worth it. This shop cannot for whatever reason get the Kyokushin kanji done for me. I suppose I could let them know like I did with chokesports but they say it's a trademark violation and Isami doesn't do that LOL.
Besides that, the shipping is almost $60 for this dogi! I actually think the shipping would be a little bit less with chokesports!
However, since I mixed and matched size with my name embroidered it was a little less, but not substantially less enough for me.
My friend in Japan doesn't train in martial arts but I may send him a message just to see through him how much it would be.
Osu!
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Post by powerof0ne on Jul 25, 2011 23:35:46 GMT -5
Take it back...they can do it.
However, it actually ends up costing a little bit more than choke sports.
Estimation of about $55 USD for shipping, total is a little over $207 USD through choke sports it's $195 and about the same price for shipping!
...Back to the drawing board!
Osu!
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. Which I do, actually..so I may go through him next! Hoping this shop can quote me a good price.
. 