MiddleEarthNet

The last few sessions have been interesting. He's been generally nicer, but I'm not convinced he can keep it up. I love doing bunkai. But again when I've done it with the new chief instructor, his comments have often been a put down. But that aside, I'd always much rather understand why moves are done a certain way.

I live in the UK. I'll take a look through their website. Thanks. Well I just bought my first heavy weight gi. It's a Budo-Nord kata gi, rather than a training gi but I was at a competition and got the opportunity to try it on. It's a little big so it's got room to shrink but was a really nice gi. I'll wait until I have some more money before buying the others, so I'll save the links that have been suggested.

So I've been looking at various options, starting with a normal training gi. I've come across this site: http://www.kuroobiya.com/shop/ Has anyone got any experience of them? I am impressed by what their site says about being able to make alterations and that they sell separate jacket and trousers. Are they as good as they sound? I've heard of Hirota as a brand and Tokaido has been mentioned on this thread. The decent gis are more expensive than ideal, however if paying a but extra but getting a gi that is guaranteed to be the right fit is worth it in my opinion. The other gis that are a possibility are: https://www.cimac.net/Clothing/Karate/Giko-Tournament-Karate-Uniform-Japanese-Cut/prod_6864.html http://www.bcsports.co.uk/shop/clothing/suits/?itemid=007 Both are slightly heavier than I was looking for for training but I feel are better options than the Cimac 10oz one. What do you think? Also, how I work out how many oz a gi is when it number a number for the cotton? I know it won't be exact but just so I can compare between the different companies.

Thanks for the comparison for how long your gi lasted. Certainly over time it works out very good value for money. All my gis the jacket ties are the first thing to go followed by the seams (but so far they have all been cheap gis). This time around I'm not waiting for my gi to fall to pieces - I'm just fed up with. I've been going through the different sides and making a list of the suitable option.

Thanks, I'll take a look at all of those suppliers.

Thank you for everyone's replies. I'm pleased to hear that the shrinkage on the heavyweight gis isn't worse than a lightweight one (and may even be better). JohnASE, yep I'm in the UK. I'm not against importing a gi, so long as I'm doing it because the imported one is a better option than anything i can buy in the UK. It just means I'd but the three gis one at a time rather than all together. I had a look at Shureido. Nice gis but currently way out of my price range. I've also had a look at Cimac, Arawaza and BCSports. BCSports are all lightweight gis but my very first gi was from there and (so far) is the only gi I've ever found comfortable. Size 2 - 150cm is the gi size I would be buying and though most have elastic waist, I noticed as I started to look at the better gis, it became less consistant (certainly with the UK suppliers). I've not looked at Tokaido. I'll take a look what they have got. Thanks.

The previous chief instructor sadly passed away and the new chief instructor was the next highest grade. I certainly wouldn't do anything without talking to my Sensei. I have been at the dojo a long time and I respect them and all their teaching. I don't find the new chief instructor easy to talk to. I'd probably go through my Sensei. I'm tempted to give it a month to see if things improve. Then I'll know that either it has, or its unlikely to. That also gives me time to see what alternatives dojos there are.

Thanks for everyone's replies. I can't argue with that as a response . Good point. I have other instructors in other martial arts and one in particular is strict but in a way that makes me want to do what he asks and to suceed. Another Sensei like that would awesome. Thanks everyone. I think I have a clearer idea of what I need to do.

I appologise if this is in the wrong forum. I have been practising Sankukai karate for 14.5 years. I am graded to 3rd dan. I do genuinely love doing karate (or any martial art really) and I think Sankukai is a good style and a style that suits me physically. But my dojo is struggling for numbers and has just closed one of the sessions I trained at, halving the amount of training I get. Plus I spend a lot of time teaching. We also have a new chief instructor. I used to think this individual was a good Sensei but now I'm not so sure. He wants to improve standards across all grades (don't get me wrong this is a good thing) but I am worried his method of doing it will wreck the clubs (ie he hates kids, gets cross with people that attend class because of the ones that don't attend, has a habit of getting fed up with dojos so just closes them, and basically boasts that he is the best in the association at kata and criticises anyone that doesn't achieve his standard in kata). Recently he has been coming down to the dojo I train at and along with the other adults, I am gone to train with him at one end of the hall. When he asks a question, I try to answer it as best as I can but everytime the response is a put down (even when I answered correctly). So now I feel like it is pointless to try and answer as I don't like the way he responds. I also have a minor physical problem which affects my stance. So many times he just says 'we all know what your problem is' and then doesn't teach me. I've started browsing online for other dojos. But its not straight forward. I am part of the FEKO squad and being able to continue with this is important to me. Also a lot of the dojos I've looked at, the Sensei is a lower grade than I am which I figure would make most instructors feel awkward. Ideally I'd like to keep my grade but will go back to novice if I need to. Within a realistic traveling distance there are a lot of Shotokan dojos but I don't think Shotokan is right for me. So I thought maybe I would fit in better with Kung Fu but there isn't much around. I really don't know what my best option is. I want to train and progress but I am already unhappy with the new chief instructor. Am I better staying where I am or finding another dojo? If I find another dojo, is it better to go for a style that is likely likely to suit me or try a different martial art?

Hi, I'm looking for some advice about the different karate gis available. I'm not a beginner and I'm very happy to buy multiple gis (in fact I'm planning to) but finding the right ones seems challenging. Gi 1: I'm looking for a good all round gi for regular training. I'd like something that is probably 10oz - heavy enough to give the sound with my techniques but not so heavy that I just hate it. Gi 2: I'm looking for a gi for kata tournaments. I'd like something that isn't covered with the over the top labelling I have seen on the shoulders and rear of some gis. Gi 3: I'm looking for a gi for kumite tournaments. Otherwise same comments about labelling. All three gis, I would like something that is long in the body. I really hate it when the ties get caught around my belt. I know the Japanese cut is long in the body, that would be ideal. Except for the training gi, the shorter legs and arms of the Japanese cut isn't really acceptable. I also would like an elastic waistband. I just find it more comfortable. Something that won't shrink is also appealing. It also needs to be child size as I'm short. Can anyone recommend anything specific? My current gi is from Blitzsport. And I hate it so I won't be going back there. I don't have the money for the really expensive gis out there. Also I was wondering if anyone could answer these questions. I've looked on Google but can't seem to find the answers. Do heavyweight gis shrink more than lightweight gis? Does a heavyweight poly cotton gi exist? When ironing a poly cotton gi, can you get the nice sharp edge along the sleeves? Thanks for the help.