Isami Belt Review

[Daikonran]

Originally Posted by TSD-Bulldog

Is it worth purchasing the Made in Japan model over the standard "Made in China". Wondering what the difference is. Great pics.

The one made in China is flimsy and cheap and not hand made, as are all Chinese products. The one made in Japan is hand stitched and custom made with thicker material.

[TSD-Bulldog]

Originally Posted by Daikonran

The one made in China is flimsy and cheap and not hand made, as are all Chinese products. The one made in Japan is hand stitched and custom made with thicker material.

Many thanks. Fits in with the same logic that applies to the non-martial arts world of manufacturing too. I'll take the Japan one for the extra $6.

[SmoKoY]

thanks! although i don't have a comparison I would think that the one made in Japan is of a higher quality basing on the price

[Wookieman2]

I just had a question about your belt. Now that it's been about a year that you've had it, how is holding up? Is it staying tied? Fraying at all? Do you wear this daily, weekly, etc? Just wondering. It does look amazing, and I'm thinking about one for myself.

[Knock Out Ned]

I picked up a DOM belt this summer, but it is too thick to have any embroidery done on it. I just ordered an ISAMI belt from the ISAMI shop in Seoul. I'll post some pics after I get it embroidered tomorrow.

[Bojovnik Slav]

Originally Posted by Daikonran

The one made in China is flimsy and cheap and not hand made, as are all Chinese products. The one made in Japan is hand stitched and custom made with thicker material.

I'm going to disagree with the chinese made things being cheap and flimsy. My favorite kimonos are made in China for HCK and those things are tanks.

[1tripz1]

Another question, what happens when you get another stripe?

[Einarr]

I have an Isami belt. It's great. It's thinner than my old belt (a Koral) but sturdier and heavier and it stays tied a lot better. The stitching is immaculate, the color is really nice, the patches are nice, and the belt is overall fantastic quality.

Originally Posted by 1tripz1

Another question, what happens when you get another stripe?

Generally your instructor takes a piece of athletic tape, cuts off a suitable length, wraps it around your rank bar aaaaaaaand . . . hey presto you have another stripe on your belt!

[Knock Out Ned]

Just got my belt embroidered today with my school's name in Hanja. It cost me a whopping three dollars. The belt set me back about twenty.

[SmoKoY]

Originally Posted by Wookieman2

I just had a question about your belt. Now that it's been about a year that you've had it, how is holding up? Is it staying tied? Fraying at all? Do you wear this daily, weekly, etc? Just wondering. It does look amazing, and I'm thinking about one for myself.

I would say the belt held up very well. I still use it and trained with it about twice a week for almost a year now. It stays tied all the time! Will be ordering another one in purple