Issued a crappy belt...bad form to buy new one?

[sp1kez]

Let's say your instructor promotes you, and gives you the next belt, however the belt they give out is really low quality/plain color no patch and really stiff. Is it considered bad form to buy your own belt and wear that instead of what your instructor gave you??

The reason I ask is because I really like these HCK belts but I wouldn't want to offend my instructor.

 

[DGC]

buy a new one simple. if your so worried then buy a new one and tell him the old one got ruined in the wash or something.. no biggie man..

 

[DGC]

buy a new one simple. if your so worried then buy a new one and tell him the old one got ruined in the wash or something.. no biggie man..

 

[animalboy]

i got a crappy belt when i got promoted also, i just went online and bought the belt i wanted... I thanked my instructor for the belt and returned the one he gave me and said I was going to order a belt i liked online... he was fine with it, i dont think its a big deal!

 

[bjj_ninja]

I think it really depends on how traditional your instructor is. I was in a similar situation and I asked my instructor beforehand and he said I could get a different one if I wanted but that he gave me that belt and that is significant. I wound up keeping the belt he gave me. Does your instructor let you wear whatever gi you want? Bottom line, just ask him.

 

[Flounder]

same here. I got a crappy belt and it didn't even fit. I went online and got an HCK from budo and love it. One of my intructors likes it so much, I'm getting him one. (He just got his black and doesn't like the "crappy" belt he got either)

 

[rebelfolk]

I don't think its that big a deal. I got a crappy blue from my instructor and then bought a nice HCK blue. I always said I would get an HCK purple, but when I was given an Ouano purple it had some meaning so I'm not gonna replace it.

bottom line, its your belt, and you have to wear it, might as well like it too.

 

[bjj_ninja]

bottom line, just ask him. if he is real traditional he may take offense but at least you showed the courtesy of asking. you're the one wearing the belt, you should be happy with it.

 

[ZuZitsu**]

I dont like the Gracie Barra belts they give out now. So I would certainly buy a new one

 

[esila]

If it's REALLY impeding your game (keeps falling off, too short / too long, can't hold your pants up), I would personally ask your instructor if it's cool.

Reason being is like others have said, some instructors are very traditional with the belt. I've even read a thread where an instructor give THEIR old purple belt to the student!!!

Bottom line, if it's a functional thing as stated above, you can always ask. If it's a cosmetic thing, I would look into why you're doing BJJ in the first place if the "look" of the belt really bothers you. Hope this helps!

 

[BeRGLeZ]

If it's REALLY impeding your game (keeps falling off, too short / too long, can't hold your pants up), I would personally ask your instructor if it's cool.

Reason being is like others have said, some instructors are very traditional with the belt. I've even read a thread where an instructor give THEIR old purple belt to the student!!!

Bottom line, if it's a functional thing as stated above, you can always ask. If it's a cosmetic thing, I would look into why you're doing BJJ in the first place if the "look" of the belt really bothers you. Hope this helps!

I agree.. but honestly, I think the sentimental and significance of the belt being passed to you by your instructor far outweighs the fashionable look of some shiny belt with 'cool' stripes and whatnot. It's just a belt and to some extent colored to indicate levels of experience and technique.

 

[Jim J]

I'm laughing at all you of you worried about the brand of belt you're wearing. I don't even know what brand my Gi is.

 

[esila]

I'm laughing at all you of you worried about the brand of belt you're wearing. I don't even know what brand my Gi is.

I got my gi at Bed Bath & Beyond . . . wait a sec :redface:

 

[D Train]

If your instructor asks, tell him you want to keep the belt he gave you for display.

 

[Super.Froggy]

you should keep your crappy belt and frame it with some pictures of your grading and wear a better one

At least the belt will still have it significance and you'll have something to remember

 

[dcfella]

I got a crappy belt too when I was promoted in December. I just keep it as a trophy-piece and replaced it with a HCK belt. No biggie..there's a bunch of different brands of belts worn at our school.

 

[Goldenhand]

I meant to ask this question too, but the problem is my school isn't just BJJ, it's MMA/reality based self defense and they used more belts. Does anyone make good belts in more colors then the BJJ ones?

 

[Zankou]

If it fits and is a good belt, I'd keep it. If it doesn't fit or is a crappy belt, I'd buy a new one. And if your professor asks? "It didn't fit." What, he wants you to wear a belt that's the wrong size?

 

[Drew Foster]

If it's REALLY impeding your game (keeps falling off, too short / too long, can't hold your pants up), I would personally ask your instructor if it's cool.

Reason being is like others have said, some instructors are very traditional with the belt. I've even read a thread where an instructor give THEIR old purple belt to the student!!!

Bottom line, if it's a functional thing as stated above, you can always ask. If it's a cosmetic thing, I would look into why you're doing BJJ in the first place if the "look" of the belt really bothers you. Hope this helps!

The look IS important. It's a reflection of your dedication and time spent so if he thinks his belt is stiff and ugly he has every right to want a nicer quality belt. I also reccomend Atama, Koral, and Gameness

 

[tri4ben]

On a related note, when I was promoted to blue, I got a belt that was too long, but I just went along with it for the last year. Is it presumptuous to buy the purple belt that I want and give it to him for when he is ready to promote me?