Source
r/bjj•
LockDownHalfGuard

Howard Combat Kimonos (HCK) gis

Well, I was watching some old school videos on YouTube and instructionals, and noticed a lot of people from the era of the early 2000s, wore HCK gis.

I remember reading that HCK gis lasted a long-time, during a period when the function and practicality of gis took precedence over form and fashion.

I thought it was cool seeing a lot of the old school BJJ practitioners wearing a gi like this. Obviously HCK was a popular gi company back in the day for whatever reason.

I have two questions about HCK:

  1. Does anybody know why HCK gis became "out of fashion" so to speak. I started BJJ 4 years ago, and during this brief period, I don't recall seeing anyone wearing a HCK gi, other than Matt Thornton at one of his seminars.

  2. Does anybody actually own a HCK gi, and can tell me if it's comfortable and if it really does last a long-time?

I just went to the Howard Combat Kimonos website, and it looks like a redundant website from a by-gone era. I am hoping to buy a couple of HCKs because my latest BJJ gi got ripped, due to I suspect the popularity of the lapel guard at my gym. I want something robust.

Thanks for the responses in advance.

Edit: Thanks for the advice everyone. After reading your posts about HCK gis, I have decided to buy the HCK competition lite gi. It is meant to be the lightest HCK gi they currently have. All those stories of it being rough and uncomfortable have made me weary of them, so I won't get two, I'll just get one to see if I like them.

Posted Sep 17, 2016, 5:53 PM UTC · edited

212
Phil_T_McNasty•

The primary advantage to a Howard gi is that you can take a close range shotgun blast as well as deflect knife blows and the gi just laughs it off.

8
groggygirl•

I had a double weave judo gi with a collar capable of stopping a blade (not joking - we tested it with a tanto and it acted like kevlar). Barely wore it because I was legitimately scared of decapitating myself if I got thrown hard enough. Also couldn't get my arms over my head without significant effort. In judo they sort of make sense, but I can't see how they'd fit into modern BJJ.

2
CausalError•

Not to mention that the huge, rigid collars are incredibly hard to manipulate.

HKC - hurting your partners' hands as much possible.

1
kyuz•

I had one back in the era you're talking about. The problem was a) it didn't really fit me b) it was crazy thick/heavy and thus not really comfortable compared to my Koral or Atama. But maybe I fucked up and bought the wrong one, I was only a white belt so what did I know.

Edit: OK, I just went back through my stash and I still have the pants which say size 4. They fit me pretty well and I'm 5'10" 170lbs. I'm pretty sure I gave the top (size 5??) away because it was too big and felt like wearing a blanket. But this was over a decade ago so who knows what they're like now.

3
Mayv2•

Never had one but when I started in 06 they were all the rage!

3
1101_1101•

I have a howard right now. It fits really well and has big sleeves but the collar is super stiff.

It's just a gi, like any other.

3
Jadonblade•

Still got my HCK, from 2008. Can stand the jacket completely upright on the floor. It will outlive us all. +10 to grip defence. -5 to skin.

3
ISlicedI•

They used to issue these in the army in case of chemical/biological warfare

2
stephenoakes•

He stopped making the big ones due to cost issues, it just wasen't feasible anymore, along with the idea that no one wants a super heavy gi. Times are changing back again with some companies offering double weaves that feel like chain mail.

FYI, still not very comfortable.

1
cegavas•

I have a HCK. Was my first Gi and I still wear it sometimes. It is very think especially the collar. Can get uncomfortably hot in summer weather but over all it was a great 60$ first gi. I would still wear it occasionally but it is kinda big on me so I keep it in my trunk as a on the go spare

1
SikJudo•

Bought an HCK about 3 years ago and it wasn't nearly the quality described in the older reviews that had inspired me to buy it. The go collar was thicker than a pearl weave, but not as stiff and protective as my double weave atama; and the rest of the jacket was far from the Kevlar that old school reviews had promised me. It was just.. Average.

All that, plus the pants didn't have any sort of drawstring. Not anrope, not even a string, just a stretchy elastic waistband. Terrible, terrible choice on their part there.

Anyways, the thing shrank down beyond being usable after maybe 12 uses and I had to donate to a kid at the gym. It was an A3.

1
mauicormac•

I have an HCK. It was $100 and was my first Gi. I bought it when I started in 2007. It's starting to get some wear on the collar but has taken pretty constant abuse for I would say 2 years of rolling. I got the double weave, its sand papery and the collar might as well be made out of thick leather. Not the most comfortable, but I do like wearing it in the winter.

1