bjjasia

bjjasia · Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2008 4:08 am Post subject: MIX'N'MATCH GI BRANDS

I want to know what it is you like most about your favorite gi. Is it the cut? the style? the fabric weight/quality? What is it that makes you love this brand over another.

I know some prefer to mix their tops and bottoms. For example, a friend loves Keiko tops but doesn't care for their pants so wears Koral bottoms instead.

vincechoo · Joined: 27 Jan 2008 Posts: 8

Hi Luke

I'm at the beginning of designing and producing my own line of affordable BJJ kimono from a couple of factories in Sialkot, Pakistan. I'm sure you've received some spam mail from them but these are the ones producing for well known USA brands like G***ness and so on.

The kimono I'm doing is targeted toward the S.E.Asian market mostly centred around price. The design (jacket) is a seam-free back (like Koral/Vulkan, etc.) and similar to Atama tailoring. The pants will have a cord instead of a tie-string (like Keiko) with a snug fit without a baggy seat so it doesn't make you look like you are wearing Pampers.

The chosen fabric is the ultra light weight goldweave similar and will be available in WHITE and BLUE and 550gms cotton drill pants.

I have included a small logo on the back of the jacket and bottom of one leg. There is plenty of room for school patches and so on.

They are NOT commercially available yet as I only have samples in (pictured above) but I'm really hoping to make something affordable for the domestic and regional clubs. I can't comment on any pricing yet until all the details are sorted out.

In the past and currently, I'm a distributor for Keiko Raca, Atama, Gameness and other well known brands but the import and shipping costs from the US makes it very expensive for locals.

I'm hoping to make these available to individuals and clubs regionally who will save on the import and shipping, especially on bulk orders.

I've currently got rashguards and will be adding a wider range of grappling shorts too.

Thanks and looking forward to your support.

bjjasia · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 10:05 am Post subject:

The gi looks pretty cool. Let us know when it's ready for commercial sales and we'll post it on the blog. SEA's first gi brand!

Alivesg · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 6 Location: Singapore

Hey Vince,

It looks good i mighty pick one up from you when i drop by in KL one day. Looking good Vince
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vincechoo · Joined: 27 Jan 2008 Posts: 8

Thanks guys. Still weeding out the details on the gi before they will be available on the market. My criteria are performance and price. Will post here on the updates.

bjjasia · Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 6:00 am Post subject:

I volunteer myself to test the gi for review! haha

bjjasia · Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 9:09 am Post subject:

Does anyone in Asia own a 'Lucky Gi'?

They're produced by OTM (On The Mat) and run as high as $200+ USD. I know they're rather pricey but I have heard good things from those who have them. Granted, many of these folks probably got them for free.

Anyways, regardless of the cost, I like the concept of a gi created by those who are really looking to address the training/comp concerns that other companies may not deal with.

There was also a recent interview with Scotty from OTM on his visit to China in finding manufacturers for their gis.

vincechoo · Joined: 27 Jan 2008 Posts: 8

Personally I won't pay for US$200+ (shipping and taxes not included) for a gi. There's only the glamour involved in wearing fashionable sport clothing and doesn't add anything to improve my techniques. I have nothing against people who have them or who can afford them but I noticed that wearing a gi soaks up most of your opponent's sweat and you're rolling around on the ground picking up dirt along the way for a couple of hours each week. I can think of much more enjoyable ways to spend $200 Smile

bjjasia · Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 7:37 am Post subject:

vincechoo · Joined: 27 Jan 2008 Posts: 8

Hi all

I have finalized the KDT Kimono. They will be offered in WHITE only, lightweight goldweave (750gsm) and 500gsm cotton drill pants. The collar is sturdy and thick like Gameness with the jacket fitting like Atama (lots of room to move in the shoulders and lats). No back seam and tapered waistline. All seams are reinforced triple stitching where needed. Minimal logos on the kimono.

This is NOT the premium kimono but a mid-range for those not wanting to spend US$200+ or less than $50 for a cheap kimono which will fall apart or has a bad fit.

This is SHRINK TO FIT gi. Here I am wearing A3 after 1 wash and machine dried (heck, I can't wait around for the sun to do its work - I'm busy dammit!)

I'm 178cm (5"10"-ish) and around 170lbs, 77kg. The kimono weighs in about 2.5kg and I can afford to wash and machine dry it to shrink a few more times before it stops shrinking (I'm estimating another 3 times).

Let me know your thoughts based on the pictures.

I'll be marketing them at RM259.99 / US$ 81.00 when the stock arrives. Place your orders asap. Thank you!

bjjasia · Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 12:09 pm Post subject: Re: KDT Kimono finalized