16 Feb 2012
Wanted to give you all a sneak peek of some of the shirt designs we’ve pulled together so far, and are working with printers to get made up. In addition to the shirts we’ll have Viking themed boxing gloves, bags, pads, you name it. The reign of the vikings begins anew!!
You’ll be able to buy all of this very soon over on our product site:
18 Dec 2011
This Article comes from Arcanum Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Blog
Whether you participated in the survey or are just looking for an idea of which gi to buy, this is just too cool to ignore. Check out this article.
Aesopian has spent a TON of time on this survey and it shows. Big props to him for putting his time and effort into this – I think it’s a huge service to the BJJ community at large.
Most interesting to me is that apparently in the top 33 brands of gi, there is no significant variance in quality (Black Eagle is not on the top 20, for example, and I consider their product to be top notch). There really hundreds of factors that influence results, and I’m looking forward to seeing how Aesopian breaks it down and interprets the data.
I for one am thrilled that many of the top brands are under $130 retail.
© SkinnyD for Arcanum, 2011. |
Permalink |
No comment |
Post tags:
Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh
13 Dec 2011
This Article comes from Arcanum Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Blog
I’m late for the bus. Not the first time this has happened to me, but the sinking feeling of panic never goes away. I abandon my breakfast on the countertop, fling my books over my shoulder and run down the driveway. Just as the bus begins to pull a way, I pound frantically on the door. Breathless as I run up the stairs, I stomp the snow off my shows and turn to face the bus full of my classmates. Then it happens. A cold draft of air wafts up my leg. From the back of the bus, someone yells “Hey, he’s not wearing any pants!”
http://usa.venumfight.com/
But I’m not worried. I’ve had this dream before, and this time I came prepared. I’m rockin’ my Venum Ultimate Vale Tudo shorts, and I own this dream.
For any of you who still have dreams like this, where you’re the victim of some humiliating situation, buy some Venum Ultimate Vale Tudo shorts and wear them to bed. These babies keep you so secure that there won’t be any room for paranoia.
First questions first: what is the difference between a vale tudo short and a traditional fight short?
The biggest difference it is that vale tudo shorts are form-fitting. They hug your body and flex with you. They do not hide bulges and curves, like looser fight shorts would. In other words, they cover your butt, but they don’t hide it!
Venum Shines Through
My biggest question when Aaron from BJJHQsent me these was how to accurately review a product meant for cage fighting. I was definitely not going into the octagon just to test these babies out.
Aaron saved me on this one: “Many people wear them under their gi pants. You need big…wait…you need a lot of body confidence to rock them alone.”
Well, I have only moderate…uh…body confidence. So that solved it. I would wear and test them under my gi pants.
(…)
Finish reading Product Review: Venum Ultimate Vale Tudo shorts.
© SkinnyD for Arcanum, 2011. |
Permalink |
No comment |
Post tags:
Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh
6 Dec 2011
Okay, so before I start this review I just have to get it out on the table: I’m fat.
I’m not huge, but I am a large man (6 feet tall, 265 lbs.) But I’m guessing that there are a fair number of you out there that live the same pains that I do. I am tired of not being able to buy a shirt at Kohls, the Buckle, or Target because my shoulders are too broad. I’m tired of Walmart thinking that 3XL means a shirt as wide as a tent that’s made for a person 5’9″.
I am also tired of Gi’s that don’t fit. It seems like every Gi review I read has a section on “fit”, and the answer seems to always be “just fine.” Well, I’m not built like a GI Joe action figure, and I am tired of buying gi’s that don’t close good in the front, or that hang down too long in the arms in order to get one big enough in the torso. For me, most Gi’s don’t score well at all in “fit”.
Additionally, Gis stink. Due to this, I don’t follow washing instructions. My Gi’s get washed in warm, and yes, they occasionally end up in a dryer.
Okay, so on to the Gis. For me, there is a much bigger challenge in finding a Kimono that fits that it is to find pants that fit, so I’ll cover the two separately:
Before I go through several different pant descriptions and insights, let me just let you know that my favorite pants are:
I like these pants the best of my pants for a few key reasons:
- They are ripstop. I have come to LOVE ripstop pants. They are much cooler, feel better at the end of a workout (and stay tight and tied well). (Note: planning to pick up some Padilla and Sons ripstop pants this spring… well let you know how it goes.)
- They fit well (but honestly, finding pants that fit well isn’t nearly as hard as a Kimono that does).
- They look sharp.
As a note however, I did have some problems with some of the stitching on the Atama pants coming undone (on row of three, so the gi didn’t fall apart, but still kinda pissed me off.)
Other pants worth mentioning:
The pants on the Gorilla Gear Husky Silver Back are probably the best made pants I own as far as attention to detail (you can read my full review of that gi here.) They fit great, are very comfortable, but they are very heavy as well. On a negative note: When Gorilla designed this gi they made the openings on the pant and arm cuffs HUGE…
I like the pants on my Toraki a lot (again, you can read a full review here). They are a lot lighter weight then the Gorilla Gear pants, tend to be a lot shorter, and tighter to the leg. They use a cloth strip draw-string rather than rope (I prefer rope personally), but it doesn’t creep up above the material as I wear it like some gi’s due to the fact that the loops are actually set down a bit from the top of the pants. Nice pants for in the “traditional” category.
As far as pants, you can read all of the reviews you want, but it reality most pants are okay. I train regularly in my Gameness Platinum pants, which are nice because they use a draw string rather than a fabric cord, as well as several other types. The biggest advice I would give you on pants is that rather its my Vulkans, Gameness, Toraki, or most of the others they all work fine.
Honestly, I have only had one pant that I would suggest to avoid for a big guy: The Gameness Air Ripstop Pants. When I got these I was so excited that they were ripstop, and were thinner than any other ripstop I had owned. But I immediately ran into a problem: The distance from the tie to the crotch is way too short. It was pulling my junk up so bad I felt like I was weaying a jock strap on the outside of my pants. My wife giggled as soon as she saw them.
Okay, so first off, let me just state that my favorite Kimono by far is the Toraki. (Size tag says: BJJ-A4-2400)
- It’s light weight, but still super tough
- It looks sharp (I like the embroidery instead of patches… holds up a lot better)
- It’s not as easy to grip as some other gi’s (but not as hard as a Swain or some of the real finger-sanders)
- The fit is perfect. I cannot say that for ANY other gi.
(Full Gorilla Gear review here)
Pros:
- Amazing attention to detail.
- Great fit
- Sharp looking
Cons:
- The arm holes are just too big. I feel like I have wings.
- Very heavy. Feels like I’m prepared to resist an attack dog.
Pros:
- Fits great in shoulders, around the waist, and torso length.
- A bit lighter weight… Cooler to train in.
- Really nice looking embroidery.
Cons:
- Had to go A5 to fit, but the arm length on the A5 is way too long for me.
- Ripstop fabric on collar can irritate the skin on your neck more than other collars when you get choked.
Pros:
- Fits great in shoulders, around the waist, and torso length (almost EXACTLY the same fit as the Atama).
Cons:
- Had to go A5 to fit, but the arm length on the A5 is way too long for me.
- Fabric patches don’t hold up as well as embroidery.
I have also tried on (but did not go with) another couple worth noting: Gameness Air (A5) and Vulkan Ultralight (A4). both of these state that they should fit someone my size just fine (and the Gameness was even the same size as my Gameness Platinum). but they were too tight in the shoulders and too short and tight in the body (as well as too short in the arms.)
I do own several other Gi’s which I purchased when I first began practicing Judo and Jiu Jitsu, notably a Century and am HSU gi. They are both okay (I like the Century better than the HSU), but do not fit me anywhere near we well around the gut as those I have recommended.
I hope this help someone out there make the right Gi purchase, and please, please let me know if you are built similar to me, have faced similar challenges, and what Gi’s you have tried, so I can update others here as well.
26 Aug 2011
This Article comes from Arcanum Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Blog
Apparently I’m like the 4938′th blogger to review the Black Eagle Raptor.
Well, that just means there are 4937 other lucky grapplers out there who get to wear one of these to training every day. Black Eagle really outdid themselves with the Raptor.
Lest I sound like a gawking fanboy, you should know I found a few problems with this model that I’ll be exposing in my review; and one flaw in particular would really make think twice about buying it unless they fix it for the production model.
If you want the short version, here’s the video. For you die-hards, continue on after the video for specifics in measurements, weight, and to find out whether or not I got made fun of for wearing a gi with purple flowing letters on it.
(…)
Finish reading Gi Review: Black Eagle Raptor Part 2.
© SkinnyD for Arcanum, 2011. |
Permalink |
No comment |
Post tags:
Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh
22 Aug 2011
This Article comes from Arcanum Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Blog
I know that Arcanum is starting to feel like a review blog, but it’s not. It’s a BJJ blog. It’s just that lately I’ve had a rash of gis to review and very little time to get it all done. The blog will feature more and more training material over the next months.
In the mean time, the next gi review is one I’ve been looking forward to for quite some time. Get ready to meet the Black Eagle Raptor; the first luxury gi I’ve ever rolled in. The Raptor is so comfortable it induces a feeling of guilt; almost like I’m cheating on my other gis when I wear it. Not to say that it’s perfect; I found some definite issues with this pre-production model that I hope will get serious attention for the official launch (comfort was not the issue, by the way). But more on that later.
Now it’s time to hear what Steve from Black Eagle has to say about the Raptor:
ArcanumBJJ
What was your goal in building the Raptor? We wanted to show that we could also build a Kimono that stood out, but the difference being we were not prepared to let people order something without first getting samples and having those tested thoroughly. What made you guys decide to try your hand at a “luxury” kimono? Our ‘forte’ has always been durable, lightweight BJJ Kimonos of a high quality. The Raptor was a project to show that we could also produce a ‘luxury’ Kimono to a high standard, but at a price people could afford. How does adding built-in rashguard lining complicate the manufacturing process? The rash guard has to be made and printed and then stitched into the jacket at the pattern stage, so getting the print lined up is the hard part. But, yes, it adds cost due to the additional procedures required to ensure a good fit. What sort of testing does a new gi model go through?
Black Eagle
ABJJ
B.E.
ABJJ
B.E.
ABJJ
(…)
Finish reading Gi Review: Black Eagle Raptor Part 1 – The Interview.
© SkinnyD for Arcanum, 2011. |
Permalink |
No comment |
Post tags:
Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh
14 Jul 2011
This Article comes from Arcanum Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Blog
Usually I keep my work as far as possible from my jiu-jitsu and Arcanum.
But it recently occurred to me: I’m a software quality engineer. I SCRUTINIZE AND BREAK THINGS FOR A LIVING. And yet my gi reviews are sadly devoid of breaking. I know how to test, and I should be testing the stitching out of these things.
The BJJ gi market is brutal; and so should the reviews be. Not necessarily negative, but raw and creative. Elvis had it right when he said, “A little less conversation, a little more action.”
The first gi to be subjected to my new madness is the Submission Light gi. Shakib from Submission Fight Co. graciously sent me the gi for review. Before I get into the grizzly details of what this gi went through in part 2, I wanted to give Shakib a chance to plug the product.
Arcanum
What was your objective in designing and making the Submission Light gi? Our goal was simple, to create a Bjj Gi that surpasses expensive gis in terms of style quality and durability for the lowest possible price. Many things that are featured on expensive gis are also featured on the Submission Light Gi such as the rip stop collar, contrast stitching, pre-shrunk fabric, rope draw string, rip stop pants, etc.
SubmissionFC
Single-leg me, won't you?
Arcanum
What is unique about this gi that should set it apart in the eye of jiu-jitsu practitioners? What makes these Gis unique is the fact that it is not based off any previously made Gi, but instead was designed from the ground up and refined until it reached its current excellence. And believe me, you will not find another Gi on the market with similar style quality and durability at the price point we have. Everyone is quickly making the switch to the Submission Gis. One roll and you will know the difference.
SFC
(…)
Finish reading Gi Review: Submission Light Gi Part 1.
© SkinnyD for Arcanum, 2011. |
Permalink |
No comment |
Post tags:
Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh
19 May 2011
This Article comes from Arcanum Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Blog
YO! Because I’m feeling really good about life, there is an Easter egg hidden in this review. Be the first to figure out which gi I am reviewing next, and you will win one of these sweet T-shirts. Send me an email with your answer!
It seems like UK companies are serving out quality BJJ gis like belts at a taekwondo school.
UK-based Black Eagle recently sent me their latest BJJ gi for review: the Predator MKII. I’ve had about a month to sink my teeth, sweat and blood into this uniform (in that order). I can honestly say the Predator MKII is the most unique-fitting gi
I own. This is unmistakably a BJJ uniform…not a modified judo uniform, not a stamped-out clone.
Black Eagle touts it as being “competition cut.” I asked what that means, and here’s the reply I got:
“We designed this Kimono to be as close to the legal limits under IBJJF rules as possible, and is also why we decided to make this Kimono a non-shrinkable one! Sleeve cuffs are right on the Gi checker limit, the jacket is slightly better tapered to hug the body, but still has the important shoulder room for easy mobility on the mat. A stiffer collar makes gripping by your opponent more difficult to achieve. Trousers are also tapered better, but again within the IBJJF limits, giving wearers a Kimono that takes advantage of the rules of BJJ and gives the opponent no extra opportunities against you!”
That’s a confident claim. I can’t verify that this gi will make the difference between winning and losing, but I have rolled in it enough to give you a solid opinion.
In a world of blingy gis, Black Eagle kimonos come across as rather plain. Which is not necessarily a bad thing, if you think gold filigree is overkill for a grappling uniform.
Good thing I really dig the embroidered Black Eagle logo. It’s simple, it’s effective, and it’s classy. I wouldn’t call the Predator MKII an “eye catcher,” but I think it’s a sharp-looking gi. I prefer embroidery over patches any day.
The pants fit great and felt great; they’re soft and light but still tough.
The jacket is comfortable, too…much softer out of the bag than I have come to expect from pearl weave uniforms. I was surprised at how comfortable it was, and at how different the cut felt on my frame.
At 3lbs 1.4oz (A3 and A4 mix), the Predator MKII is indeed one of the lightest gis on the market…on par with gis such as the Vulkan Ultra Light.
(…)
Finish reading Gi Review: Black Eagle Predator MKII.
© SkinnyD for Arcanum, 2011. |
Permalink |
No comment |
Post tags:
Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh
21 Apr 2011
Okay, so before I start this review I just have to get it out on the table: I’m fat.
I’m not huge, but I am a large man (6 feet tall, 260 lbs.) But I’m guessing that there are a fair number of you out there that live the same pains that I do. I am tired of not being able to buy a shirt at Kohls, the Buckle, or Target because my shoulders are too broad. I’m tired of Walmart thinking that 3XL means a shirt as wide as a tent that’s made for a person 5’9″.
I am also tired of Gi’s that don’t fit. It seems like every Gi review I read has a section on “fit”, and the answer seems to always be “just fine.” Well, I’m not built like a GI Joe action figure, and I am tired of buying gi’s that don’t close good in the front, or that hang down too long in the arms in order to get one big enough in the torso. For me, most Gi’s don’t score well at all in “fit”. So, if this is you, read on:
Today I will be reviewing a black Jiu Jitsu cut Gi from Toraki Gis. The top and bottoms for me are different sizes, but that seems to be the norm with Toraki, as they closely review your measurements and choose the best fit for each person.
I have been dealing with Stewart over at Toraki, and it has been a wonderful experience. He is not only helpful and conversational, but also extremely knowledgeable. Based on my measurements, and some of the other gi’s I have owned there were a couple of different options on the pants. Stewart explained each of these with the pro’s and cons to help guide me to the best decision. He was always very prompt in communicating information to me. In short, I really couldn’t have asked for a better experience.
Collar:
The collar on the Toraki is a nice, thick collar. A lot of other collars recently having been going to a spongier feel, rather than the traditional collar without the rubber filling. In this respect Toraki goes with the traditional, non spongy feel. People seem to be of two schools of thought on this one, so you may or may not like this aspect of the Toraki. Me personally, I have gi’s of both types, and as long as the collar isn’t a little skinny one that I find myself getting choked out too easy with, I find I’m happy either way.
Stitching:
The Toraki is build tough as nails. The entire top is done in triple stitching with reinforced taping, except the cuffs, which actually have 4 rows of stitching plus reinforced taping. I know that a lot of reviewers post pictures of all of the stitching and reinforcement… but rather than go through each section of the gi in that level of detail, I would just sum it up: This gi is a brute. It is built tough in every respect, well beyond what you would find in a typical mid-level gi like most Atama or Gameness, and light years beyond the low quality crap that some places are peddling out there for under $100. If you buy a Toraki, you will be able to roll in it for a long, long time.
Embroidered vs. patches:
I have owned gi’s that come with cool patchwork. After a year or two however, these patches just don’t hold up. I really like the embroidery work on the Toraki. Not only does it look sharp, it will hold up forever.
Light weight but tough:
As I mentioned at the opening of this article, I’m not a small guy. Not only is it hard for me to find a gi that fits right, but it also needs to be able to take a beating. A thin or cheap gi while tear, or get twisted out of shape. Unfortunately, this means a lot of double weaves. They are great gi’s, but sometimes it’s nice to go a little lighter. Toraki has done a great job of building a comfortable, lightweight gi that they refer to as a “1 and a half weave”, or a “light double” weave gi that is ready to withstand a nuclear blast.
Full length knee pads:
One of the things that struck me immediately about the pants on the Toraki is that they go double thickness starting at the hip, and continue all the way down the legs. Just another mark of a really quality gi from a company that has been doing this, and doing it right for a long time.
Belt loops and tie:
More and more of the new gi’s coming out are including increased numbers of belt loops, and a rope tie. Toraki has not gone in that direction. I’ll be honest, this was one of my big concerns when I opened up the gi. The bigger around your waist gets, the more likely that you are going to have problems with the traditional 2 or, in this case 3 belt loop system. Although I would still prefer more loops, and a rope tie, I do have to admit that Toraki has made some advances on their gi pant that kept it from being a problem for me. The Toraki belt loops are placed a little lower down on the pant that normal. By not coming clear to the top, they make it less likely that any portion of the pants will sag down low enough to slip under the tie. I have been wearing my Toraki an awful lot lately, and rolling hard in it with no troubles yet.
Fading:
If I have any nit to pick with the Toraki, it would be that it seems to fade a little more than other black gi’s. You can see here, particularly around the pant cuffs. I have also seen some fading in the top as well.
Overall:
I just want to make a quick comment before I give my overall quality rating on the Toraki gi. If you have seen my other Fat Guy Gi Review, you might be wondering to yourself, “Hey wait… he seems to give a lot of high ratings… What do 5 stars really mean, if everyone gets them?” Well, I just want to assure you, that I have owned many types of gi’s (Atama, Gameness, Mizuno, and a lot more.) Not all gi’s are 5 star gi’s. I have been truly blessed with some excellent quality products to review. The Toraki really is head and shoulders above run-of-the-mill gi’s, as well as most of the flashier gi’s coming out now in both quality, as well as fit (which is really the most important part for me.)
When it comes to fit, I am quite frankly astounded at how well this Gi fits me. As you can see, I am not shaped the way that the world considers “normal.” However, it seems that an increasing number of us aren’t. Specifically, my waist isn’t huge, but my gut is. I also hard broad shoulders and a thick chest.
I have never found any other Gi that fits me quite like this. The top is broad enough, and fits around me well. The sleeves are exactly the right length, and tight enough to the arms that it’s not sloppy but at the same time roomy enough not to restrict movement at all. If you have problems with fit, this is a dream.
The pants fit me great as well. I’m sure a big part of that is due to Toraki mixing and matching pant sizes with top sizes in order to ensure they get the mix that will work best for you.
Also, on the point of shrinking: When this gi arrived it was HUGE. I followed the detailed instructions from Toraki (washing it in hot 6-8 times), and it shrank down to the perfect size. I was really impressed with this, as many Gi makers tell you never to wash in hot, and like to pretend that this means that your gi won’t shrink over a period of months. This much more realistic view of shrinking not only impressed me, but it means I can wash my gi in hot so it gets cleaner as well.
As note: If you’re wondering about the switch form a brown belt to the blue belt, it’s because some of these pictures were taken afte Judo class, and others after Jiu Jitsu class 
I never give an actual rating to appearance, as I think that it really is something that a person needs to decide for themselves. Some people are into a gi with bling, others may prefer a tamer look. But I do want to make a few comments on the appearance of the Toraki gi.
Obviously, fit is a big part of appearance. As I have said above, I really can’t rave enough about the Toraki and how it fits me. I love the feel, and I think the adds to the appearance well.
I also feel that the white and red stitched logo on the black gi really “pops.” This was a good move on the part of Toraki.
The fading issue that I mentioned as a part of quality isn’t a real big concern for me, as it isn’t to the paint that I feel it makes the gi start to look bad. I do however, feel that if the black faded less, as I have found in some other gi’s, that this gi could look even better (especially with the red and white logo contrasting against it.)
Well, it’s easy to say a lot of fluffy, nice stuff about a gi, but the real proof in the pudding is rather I would buy another one if I were looking to buy a gi right now.
I’m going to be frank here, the Toraki is a pricy gi. It runs about $180 USD for the one that I have reviewed here. But when I look at other, cheaper gi’s that I have owned, and I ask myself if having a gi that doesn’t fit as well, and has patches that start to look like crap after a year, is it worth saving the fifty or sixty bucks I find myself more and more willing to spend the money. In short, yes. I do expect you will see me purchasing more Toraki Gi’s in the future. It is a really great product, and a fit that I have not been able to find anywhere else.
Update: For a full review of several Gi’s and how well they work (or don’t) for folks of our build, please read: best-and-worst-gis-for-big-and-tall-or-fat-people
21 Mar 2011
This Article comes from Arcanum Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Blog
Rockin' the Padilla
I am about to tell you about my favorite kimono. It is not my most expensive kimono. It is not my most stylish kimono. And despite being “lightweight,” it’s not even my lightest kimono.
But for some reason, putting on my Padilla & Sons Lightweight just feels like coming home. Maybe it’s because I’ve owned it for over two years now. But I think the real reason is that it’s just a fine piece of fightwear.
As a testament to the mat time this gi has seen, here’s what remains of my school patch on the back:
And yet, if I were to re-dye it cobalt blue, it would look brand new. There are no holes and no fraying except a little on the inside reinforcements. That’s quality.
Working with Joe Padilla and his family was a pleasure. Other reviews I’ve read mention similarly good experiences. If I’m not mistaken, Joe’s wife responded to one of the calls I placed, and Joe also responded personally to emails and calls. Both were extremely gracious in helping me determine what size of gi I should order.
We decided that I was in between an A3 and an A4. The solution was to pair A4 trousers with an A3 jacket, which turned out to be perfect for me. I was charged an extra $10 to mix and match sizes…but considering the modest $95 price tag, this was not painful in the least.
My order arrived promptly, and included specific washing and drying instructions along with the gi. Oddly enough, one of the instructions is to not machine wash it. I thought that was a little weird, kind of like saying don’t take your tank to the carwash. I’m not sure how it could damage your gi to machine wash it in cold water, I’m definitely not going to take the time to hand wash it.
Right Shoulder Logo
If ever there was an understated gi, this is it. The lightweight is completely devoid of flourish other than two small shoulder embroideries and a small patch at the bottom of the lapel. I’m not a huge fan of shoulder patches, so this really appeals to me.
Left Shoulder Logo
The cool little shark logos are the only reminders that this is indeed a branded, professional piece of fightwear. The odd thing is, it still seems to attract attention. People ask what kind of gi it is. Either that, or they say “a Padilla, huh? Nice…” and make some sign of approval.
(…)
Finish reading Gi Review: Padilla & Sons Lightweight.
© SkinnyD for Arcanum, 2011. |
Permalink |
No comment |
Post tags:
Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh
