Keying your black belt

[yamesu]

Ha,

get a Kyokushin karateka opponent with a crisp-new-1st dan belt,

and Id be weary, as this means they just recently completed the 40man kumite, so can prob fight well in a tournamnet.

[Fairfax_Uechi]

As many have said and I agree that keying a belt is just disrepectful. To me, the disrespect is on several levels. First to the belt. The belt did nothing to deserve being abused. Next, to the person wearing it. Why damage something that you've worked hard to obtain. Or is this person from a belt mill, and doesn't deserve the respect? Finally, it's disrespectful to everyone looking at it, as the wearer thinks that they're fooling others. Which time will show, and we'll be disrepected by the lie of the appearance of effort.

[Fairfax_Uechi]

Sensei told me many schools that compete key belts to make it look like they practice a lot more than they do.

Haha..I would go the other way in a tournament. I would have a brand new belt to make them think I had just tested the other day and didn't really know what I was doing yet just to play off the opponents cockyness.

Sounds logical to me. Afterall, why help your opponent out by letting them put up their maximum guard.

I have also heard of folks who have two belts, one for training which wears, and one for special events such as tournaments, rank promotions, and demonstrations. This way they look their best when on "show" but have their every day belt.