chrisval

My school uses the basic white Hayashi Brand. I bought my son a blue one for Christmas too...very nice, takes tons of abuse and cost about $50. The white ones start at about $40, and you can also get it in unbleached. The tops are very nice, the pants fairly basic drawstring with minimalist knee pads. We dressed ours up with some patches from our parent school (Charles Gracy) the look really good. http://www.martialartsmart.net/Uniforms_Judo_Jujutsu.html

My school uses the basic white Hayashi Brand. I bought my son a blue one for Christmas too...very nice, takes tons of abuse and cost about $50. The white ones start at about $40, and you can also get it in unbleached. The tops are very nice, the pants fairly basic drawstring with minimalist knee pads. We dressed ours up with some patches from our parent school (Charles Gracy) the look really good. http://www.martialartsmart.net/Uniforms_Judo_Jujutsu.html

As far as how long it takes to get a BB, I would think it depends on what discipline you are learning...TKD might take 2-3 years where a more comprehensive art such as KSW or TSD may take somewhat longer...and I have heard it may take something like 10 years to master Aikido. I would also agree about it takes different people different time to learn. I can learn forms in less than 1/2 the time my wife can...but my Son can learn it in 1/2 the repetitions it takes me.

We also have a brown belt between the Red and the Red/Black(blackbelt candidate).

In my humble opinion there is nothing wrong with studying an obscure martial art if it is traditional and comprehensive. I am studying a similar discipline "Jui Sool Do" which is mostly Kuk Sul with influence from TKD, Hapkido, BJJ, Judo etc. (Our Sa Bu Nim is a black belt in something like six different disciplines). On the otherhand if you were interested in a "sport" martial art I would find the best Tae Kwon Do Dojang in your area...you will spar much more than you will in a "traditional" school.