martialartsmart.com = good, cheap stuff

[bodhitree]

I recently ordered new sparring gear, it was cheaper than any other place I could find for shin guards, headgear, handwraps, and everything else. Good job guys.

[MasterKiller]

Gene,
How come TCMA stores don't carry "real" sparring equipment like leather headgear, various weight gloves, leather/vinyl shin guards, ect.

I buy as much as I can from you guys, but the foam-dipped gear is an injury waiting to happen, imo...

[GeneChing]

MK: MartialArtsMart.com (http://www.martialartsmart.com) is not a TCMA store. Kung Fu Tai Chi (http://www.kungfumagazine.com) is a CMA magazine and both Kung Fu Tai Chi and MartialArtsMart are under our same company (TC Media, Intl., a division of Tiger Claw (http://www.tigerclaw.com), but make no mistake. What funds MartialArtsMart is not CMA. Despite our heavy promotion through Kung Fu Tai Chi and KungFuMagazine.com, MartialArtsMart makes the bulk of its income from Tae Kwon Do. Never underestimate the economic power of TKD in the martial world. It dwarfs all of CMA. Personally, I've been trying to move us towards more high end gear, but I'll be frank, there isn't much profit in it for us. The market it pretty limited and there are a lot of vendors like Fairtex that already have it well cornered.

Thanks for your support, gentleman. We truly appreciate it.

[The Xia]

So the cat is out of the bag, all this great stuff like the magazine and forum are funded by TKD of all things! :eek:

[lunghushan]

So the cat is out of the bag, all this great stuff like the magazine and forum are funded by TKD of all things! :eek:

It makes sense. I was trying to figure out why most of their gear seemed to be TKD oriented.

I was trying to find all these kung fu schools that used padding, rebreakable boards and all that TKD stuff.

[GeneChing]

In America, TKD provides the bulk of the income for all of the large MA companies. If you've been thinking that CMA has a major purchase hold on the economy of American MA, wake up and smell the coffee...or tea...or whatever it is you drink to wake up. There are three main moneymakers in martial arts: TKD (http://www.martialartsmart.net/Styles_TaeKwonDo.html), nunchuks (http://www.martialartsmart.net/Nunchakus.html) and ninjas (http://www.martialartsmart.net/Styles_Ninja.html). CMA is pretty far down on the list, sad to day. It's a difficult market. There are so many variations of CMA that it's hard to sell gear that meets everyone's needs. For example, just look at uniforms. MartialArtsMart offers a fair selection of CMA uniforms (http://www.martialartsmart.net/Uniforms_Kung_Fu.html), but there are tons of different styles that we have yet to offer, or have discontinued. A classic example is the Shuai Chiao uniform - we were one of the first American companies to offer it, but we had to discontinue it because it wasn't selling enough to justify keeping it on our shelves. TKD, on the other hand, is standard and simple, so if anything, we're always trying to expand the line of TKD uniforms (http://www.martialartsmart.net/Uniforms_Tae_Kwon_Do.html) by making stuff up (http://www.martialartsmart.net/1133.html). Such is the nature of martial arts in America.

But contrast that with the fact that we used to have a TKD magazine called Dojang. (http://www.martialartsmart.net/Dojang_Magazine.html) It only ran 8 issues until it proved to be not viable. Then we merged it with our Japanese based mag, Dojo (http://www.martialartsmart.net/Dojo_Magazine.html), to form World of Martial Arts (http://www.martialartsmart.net/World_of_Martial_Arts.html). In 1999, we abandoned that and just focused on Kung Fu Tai Chi (http://www.martialartsmart.net/Kungfu_Magazine.html). Why? CMA has the richest history. KMA and JMA trace their lineage back to China. And China has one of the longest recorded histories and accordingly, one of the most complex cultures in the world. In eight issues, we pretty much tapped the sum of TKD history. In over 90 issues, we've barely even scratched the surface of CMA.

[lunghushan]

Well ... I have bought a uniform off of Martialartsmart.com. Just one of the basic KF ones, but I don't like it much because it's cotton and requires ironing.

I was trying to find a nicer quality one out of linen or silk or polyester or rayon or something (I would dry-clean it), but I couldn't find one. I even considered buying some traditional Chinese clothing, but I couldn't find that either. I found some modern versions on Ebay, but it seemed kindof iffy.

If I had to vote (I don't know if it would be popular), I would vote for a martial arts store for CMA stuff that is just a little bit higher quality than martialartsmart.com and WLE. I don't know if there would be a market or not.

Basically it seems like all the KF stuff from China is a bit, well, not 100% up to quality. I'd say it's about 80% of what I would expect.

[MasterKiller]

As a side note, every time I order something I put "masterkiller wants free stuff" in the notes field on the order form. Alas, my cries go unanswered.:(

[GeneChing]

...you just got to put up with my advertising.

[YiLiQuan1]

Since my very first day training in Yiliquan, I've worn Tiger Claw uniforms... At least, that is, until I found how much more durable a judogi was for the training we did. Back in 2002ish we changed from wearing the far less sturdy CMA outfit for either karate or judo uniforms as they are comparably priced and far more lasting. Lower maintenance, too.

I'll admit that the judogi I've had for the last seven years was not a Tiger Claw brand... Simply because back then they only had the white ones (which I did buy one of for the classes I was taking in Japan). Now that they've got the Cahill black jujutsu gi, I'll be purchasing one soon to replace my rather threadbare and "broken in" older one...

Bottom line, Tiger Claw products last. They're lower priced than nearly anything else on the market, and far more durable than their competitors' toys.

lunghushan-

If your training allows you to wear a linen or silk pajama set, you aren't training hard enough!!! ;) They're pretty and all, but I've literally had the sleeves ripped off uniforms like that in the past... One of the reasons my Sifu, Pete Starr, had us wearing Tiger Claw gear was because the cheaper linen CMA outfit available at the time would rip, tear, or otherwise suffer horribly under normal wear and tear... They were disposable, to say the least.

Gene, keep up the good work. I refer everyone I know shopping for gear to your site. Whether they buy stuff or not I don't know, but I get the word out as best I can.

[lunghushan]

If your training allows you to wear a linen or silk pajama set, you aren't training hard enough!!! ;) They're pretty and all, but I've literally had the sleeves ripped off uniforms like that in the past... One of the reasons my Sifu, Pete Starr, had us wearing Tiger Claw gear was because the cheaper linen CMA outfit available at the time would rip, tear, or otherwise suffer horribly under normal wear and tear... They were disposable, to say the least.

Honestly my first KF uniform was from Kim Pacific and it was all cotton and heavy and durable. The stuff they sell now is nowhere up to snuff.

As for the 'training hard' stuff, there's only one type of uniform that will hold up, which is a BJJ uniform. I don't recommend people do forms in one of those, though, because they're too heavy.

[YiLiQuan1]

Honestly my first KF uniform was from Kim Pacific and it was all cotton and heavy and durable. The stuff they sell now is nowhere up to snuff.

I still have 2 Tiger Claw uniforms, 100% cotton, and nearly grey they're so old and faded... BUT, they're still in great shape, have resisted wear and tear, and had I not married an incredible cook they'd still fit, too... ;)

As for the 'training hard' stuff, there's only one type of uniform that will hold up, which is a BJJ uniform. I don't recommend people do forms in one of those, though, because they're too heavy.

I wear a double-thick judogi exclusively, and I do forms as well. It's all about washing the uniform enough to loosen it up... Mine fits like a glove, is nice and soft, and no longer wears like body armor. ;)

[lunghushan]

I wear a double-thick judogi exclusively, and I do forms as well. It's all about washing the uniform enough to loosen it up... Mine fits like a glove, is nice and soft, and no longer wears like body armor. ;)

It's not the heavy weight I'm talking about, I'm talking about the sweating part. :)

[YiLiQuan1]

It's not the heavy weight I'm talking about, I'm talking about the sweating part. :)

Ah, yes... The inbuilt dehydration aspect... The downside is that you sweat like a beast while wearing it, but the upside is that they soak up every drop! :D

[GeneChing]

On a good night, I'll sweat through the uniform so ironing is pointless. I only wind up looking scruffy for the warm ups. Our basic uniform is the black pants (http://www.martialartsmart.net/11-1700x.html) with the green trim interloop top (http://www.martialartsmart.net/1114tcolor.html).

Those black Cahill Jujitsu uniforms (http://www.martialartsmart.net/11-54.html) are pretty popular.

[lunghushan]

Maybe the problem is I put it through the drier? I have this one:

http://www.martialartsmart.net/11-1600x.html

It comes out all krinkly if I put it through the drier. Maybe I should just hang it to dry or something.

[GeneChing]

The pants in those are the same as the ones I wear. I've not really experienced a problem with excessive wrinkling. Perhaps it's something to do with the water in your area or your dryer? You could try a fabric softener.

Hey! Wait a minute! When did this turn into a Chinese laundry?;)

[YiLiQuan1]

The pants in those are the same as the ones I wear. I've not really experienced a problem with excessive wrinkling. Perhaps it's something to do with the water in your area or your dryer? You could try a fabric softener.

Hey! Wait a minute! When did this turn into a Chinese laundry?;)

That's the same uniform we used to wear, and the same one I have several of...

I'll agree, if you leave it in the dryer too long it'll come out nasty and wrinkled. It's your laundering technique, not the garment, that makes it look bad.

Take it out before it's 100% dry and hang it up. It'll be fine by morning.

[lunghushan]

That's the same uniform we used to wear, and the same one I have several of...

I'll agree, if you leave it in the dryer too long it'll come out nasty and wrinkled. It's your laundering technique, not the garment, that makes it look bad.

Take it out before it's 100% dry and hang it up. It'll be fine by morning.

I'm not buying the garment thing. My old Kim Pacific uniform was fine if you left it in. It was much heavier fabric than this. This thing is totally flimsy.

I'll try the drying technique, though.

[YiLiQuan1]

I'm not buying the garment thing.

Whatever, man... Do what you want. Everytime I've offered you a suggestion about anything you do your best to be contrary. :rolleyes:

[lunghushan]

Whatever, man... Do what you want. Everytime I've offered you a suggestion about anything you do your best to be contrary. :rolleyes:

Like I said, I'll try it. I still think the garment is too flimsy though.

[bodhitree]

Gene, is there a moderator discount? Ha ha.

[GeneChing]

...it's a program that we're still working the bugs out of, sorry to say. We have a discount code that moderators can use, but implementing this has been an issue lately. Now that you've reminded me, I'll push to get it completed.

[Chief Fox]

Is there a troll markup? :D

[GeneChing]

You're right, CF, there totally should be.

[lunghushan]

So I was having a discussion with a guy at work last week about the critical thing vs. complaining thing.

Because a lot of time on this board if you say something critical, they think you're complaining or a troll. Like the uniform thing.

Anyway, I guess I will have to have my own uniforms made, because I can't find anything suitable pre-made. I did find some suitable fabric this weekend.

[MasterKiller]

I'm still waiting for the MasterKiller discount code.

[quickjab]

Gene, why don't you make "REAL" sparring equipment and market it towards the San Shou/San Da crowd. You could feature some prominent San Shou/San Da fighters in the ads, kinda like what you guys already do with Jenna Castillo.

[GeneChing]

...but looking at our market research, it's just not profitable enough at this time, sad to say. That market is small and cornered. Right now, sanda is small and niche; it just can't generate the numbers to warrant us developing our own line at this time. A few years ago, I was working hard to try to import China-made equipment at the request of some Sanda people. I had it all set up and we could have done it quite easily, but frankly, there wasn't enough players at that time that could justify our expense. It's sort of like when we used to carry Shuai Chiao jackets. They just didn't sell enough for us to make it worth our investment. Most of the people active in it simply got there stuff directly from China. So inevitably, we had to close out the line.

That being said, I truly hope that the sport grows so we can offer such equipment in the future. I haven't given up there.

As for Jenna, she's very easy to work with and comes by with homemade brownies and such. In fact, she was by just last week to thank us for inviting her to our Fearless screening (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43421). I've extended open invitations to many of the local sanda people to come by for modelling. Some of the coaches are very possessive and controlling, but perhaps that's par for the course for a good coach.

Anyway, keep you fingers crossed. Hopefully sanda will gain in popularity here in America. Once there's a fair sized market, we'll be able to do all sorts of stuff with it.

[Banjos_dad]

ironing your uniform, haw (snort)

i always thought it would be fun to strap up with one of those tkd chest protectors and kick each other 100% jst to see what it's like...

the xia, is that James Hong in your avatar??

[uki]

I recently ordered new sparring gear, it was cheaper than any other place I could find for shin guards, headgear, handwraps, and everything else. Good job guys.notice how it rythmes with wal-mart... cheap is right. people have got to snap out of this cookie-cutter mentality.

[iron_leg_dave]

In America, TKD provides the bulk of the income for all of the large MA companies. If you've been thinking that CMA has a major purchase hold on the economy of American MA, wake up and smell the coffee...or tea...or whatever it is you drink to wake up. There are three main moneymakers in martial arts: TKD (http://www.martialartsmart.net/Styles_TaeKwonDo.html), nunchuks (http://www.martialartsmart.net/Nunchakus.html) and ninjas (http://www.martialartsmart.net/Styles_Ninja.html). CMA is pretty far down on the list, sad to day. It's a difficult market. There are so many variations of CMA that it's hard to sell gear that meets everyone's needs. For example, just look at uniforms. MartialArtsMart offers a fair selection of CMA uniforms (http://www.martialartsmart.net/Uniforms_Kung_Fu.html), but there are tons of different styles that we have yet to offer, or have discontinued. A classic example is the Shuai Chiao uniform - we were one of the first American companies to offer it, but we had to discontinue it because it wasn't selling enough to justify keeping it on our shelves. TKD, on the other hand, is standard and simple, so if anything, we're always trying to expand the line of TKD uniforms (http://www.martialartsmart.net/Uniforms_Tae_Kwon_Do.html) by making stuff up (http://www.martialartsmart.net/1133.html). Such is the nature of martial arts in America.

But contrast that with the fact that we used to have a TKD magazine called Dojang. (http://www.martialartsmart.net/Dojang_Magazine.html) It only ran 8 issues until it proved to be not viable. Then we merged it with our Japanese based mag, Dojo (http://www.martialartsmart.net/Dojo_Magazine.html), to form World of Martial Arts (http://www.martialartsmart.net/World_of_Martial_Arts.html). In 1999, we abandoned that and just focused on Kung Fu Tai Chi (http://www.martialartsmart.net/Kungfu_Magazine.html). Why? CMA has the richest history. KMA and JMA trace their lineage back to China. And China has one of the longest recorded histories and accordingly, one of the most complex cultures in the world. In eight issues, we pretty much tapped the sum of TKD history. In over 90 issues, we've barely even scratched the surface of CMA.

I got my judogi from Martialarts mart back in 2000. I wore it to judo 3 days a week for a year, rolled in it, at class and outside at home. When it got grass and dirt stains on the knees, I bleached it. I wore the pants to bed, and to early gong fu classes. I wore them on the street even.

They ripped a little at the seem this year, and ended up splitting all the way to the thigh. I wanted to sew them, but my wife threw them away.

8 years, of sometimes daily, and at most every three day use. Thousands of washes.

You can't beat that.

I've only bought things I couldn't get at MAM from elsewhere. I will even wait for items to come back in stock before I buy them anywhere else, and if people bring up other spots, I make them feel stupid, until they all cowtow and buy only from MAM

I'm grateful for the years of good old fashioned honest service, quality stuff and fair prices. :)