Bad Karma
12-24-2004, 02:14
1. Tony Cecchine's Catch Wrestling (http://www.catchwrestle.com/) (link)
The Service: I ordered his Gold Package and received it in three business days. I not only got what I ordered, but everything was as it should be...and he threw in something extra for me (Hey! I'm a repeat customer - LOL!). I can't tell you about returns because I've NEVER had to do that with his products. When you email or call...Tony Cecchine responds. That's customer support. No charge to my credit card until the order was shipped and the website has secure ordering.
The Product: DVD's - Lost Art of Hooking (LAOH), R.I.P. Series, Worth the Weight, Wristlock Seminar, Double Trouble, Lucky 13 Audio Primer and a bumber sticker "Snap...No Tap". They all work (bonus!) and the instruction(s) provided are very well structured and enlightening. I could go on and on about the info, but I would rather you check the website for yourself and read what's provided. Tony has some small clips to watch, also. If you're a grappler, this information is in the "must have" category. Gi or No gi, it just doesn't matter, but some techniques will have to be adapted for sportive rules. Note: The LAOH material has been available for some time and made a huge impact during the early BJJ Craze brought on from UFC 1.
2. Howard's Combat Kimono's (HCK) (http://www.howardliu.com/) (link)
The Service: I ordered a rash guard and a pair of grappling shorts, both black, and received them in three business days. I got exactly what I ordered because Howard will personally call you to ensure the size you ordered will fit correctly. He will also get your credit card information at that time because his website doesn't provide secure ordering and your card is not charged until the order is shipped. If you email or call HCK, it's Howard who responds. I'm also a repeat customer and HIGHLY recommend HCK kimono's to anyone...that's another review, though.
The Product(s): The grappling shorts can be previewed at the website for a description. The outer shell is very smooth and snag free. The inner lining is mesh. Polyester "board shorts" are much better (durable) than the lycra material used in earlier vale tudo/grappling shorts. The velcro closures are very strong and secure so no worries about shorts being ripped off in the middle of the roll...that would be down right embarrassing! However, there's no drawstring and there's no pocket. I prefer the added security the drawstring provides and I like the idea of having a pocket to carry the mouthpiece in. There is plenty of leg room for when the legs must spread out and I feel no resistence from the leg openings. These aren't the skin tight, lycra-spandex, short-shorts (like Ranger panties), so there's room for modesty and a cup. ;) Made in China.
The rash guard can be previewed at the website for a description. The quality of this rash guard is awesome! It's made of an 85% Nylon/15% Spandex material and has a very stylish "HCK" in white (stitched) on the left side of the mini neck collar. Two things stand out about this rash guard just by looking at it: 1) It's cut long bodied. This means there's no chance of it riding up your stomach and/or back when you're rolling. 2) The stylish HCK on the collar is the ONLY marking on it. These two things alone make the expense of buying it well worth it. Never mind the reinforced stitch work and never mind the durability...LOL! One more thing, I gave it the pinch test. Actually, I gave it the grab-pull-twist test and the rash guard left no sign of where I had grabbed, pulled, and twisted...wow! I also grabbed inside the collar from the front of my neck and pulled straight down to my stomach and released. The neck opening snapped right back and there was no sound of ripping and no sign of stress to the rash guard...double wow! Made in China.
3. Hitman Fight Gear (http://www.hitmanfightgear.com/) (link)
The Service: I ordered a T-shirt and a pair of their Camouflaged (black & white - I know it as "Urban") grappling/fight shorts and received it in three business days. I actually got what I ordered and free gifts like another T-shirt, a hat, window logo sticker, and a bumber sticker - kewl! I just love free stuff AND this was my first time ordering from them, so awesome first impression. I can't speak on returns because I had no problems with my order. I mean absolutely none. I ordered, got my confirmation email for that order, got another email when it was shipped AND the UPS tracker was included! No charge to my credit card until it was shipped and the website has secure ordering.
The Product: The grappling/fight shorts can be reviewed at their website for a description. The outer shell of the shorts is very smooth and snag free. Polyester "board shorts" are much better (durable) than the lycra material used in earlier vale tudo/grappling shorts. These aren't the skin tight, lycra-spandex, short-shorts (like Ranger panties), so there's room for modesty and a cup. ;) Yes. That's a repeat statement. Before I get into anything else, let me say the two things negative about these grappling shorts - the leg openings could be a teensy-bit larger and there's no inner lining. That's it. That's all I have. Now the good things...and there are plenty! The velcro closure in front is strong and very secure. When I say secure, I mean the top portion, where your button, snap, or hook would be in "normal" pants, has a double closure. The outer closure is very tight and smooth, so no worries about your partner or your shorts being ripped off or loose. I mean no worries when I say that because Hitman has provided an inner drawstring to compliment the Fort Knox like security you'll have when you wear these shorts. There's also a small outer pocket on the right side with velcro closure that holds a mouthpiece perfectly. That pocket closes tight and keeps the smooth and snag free outer shell integrity so there's very little chance (if any) it'll snag or be ripped while rolling. The design tells me that Hitman is working very close with the fighter's and customer feedback. Made in USA.
I won't get into T-shirts because, well...it's a T-shirt. I will mention that they are made of USA fabric and assembled in Mexico just to keep somewhat of the same format.
*Note: When I mention the inner lining of shorts, regardless from whom, I am not speaking of "support" lining but rather a lining closer to that of a coat or jacket or even luggage.
Peace
The Service: I ordered his Gold Package and received it in three business days. I not only got what I ordered, but everything was as it should be...and he threw in something extra for me (Hey! I'm a repeat customer - LOL!). I can't tell you about returns because I've NEVER had to do that with his products. When you email or call...Tony Cecchine responds. That's customer support. No charge to my credit card until the order was shipped and the website has secure ordering.
The Product: DVD's - Lost Art of Hooking (LAOH), R.I.P. Series, Worth the Weight, Wristlock Seminar, Double Trouble, Lucky 13 Audio Primer and a bumber sticker "Snap...No Tap". They all work (bonus!) and the instruction(s) provided are very well structured and enlightening. I could go on and on about the info, but I would rather you check the website for yourself and read what's provided. Tony has some small clips to watch, also. If you're a grappler, this information is in the "must have" category. Gi or No gi, it just doesn't matter, but some techniques will have to be adapted for sportive rules. Note: The LAOH material has been available for some time and made a huge impact during the early BJJ Craze brought on from UFC 1.
2. Howard's Combat Kimono's (HCK) (http://www.howardliu.com/) (link)
The Service: I ordered a rash guard and a pair of grappling shorts, both black, and received them in three business days. I got exactly what I ordered because Howard will personally call you to ensure the size you ordered will fit correctly. He will also get your credit card information at that time because his website doesn't provide secure ordering and your card is not charged until the order is shipped. If you email or call HCK, it's Howard who responds. I'm also a repeat customer and HIGHLY recommend HCK kimono's to anyone...that's another review, though.
The Product(s): The grappling shorts can be previewed at the website for a description. The outer shell is very smooth and snag free. The inner lining is mesh. Polyester "board shorts" are much better (durable) than the lycra material used in earlier vale tudo/grappling shorts. The velcro closures are very strong and secure so no worries about shorts being ripped off in the middle of the roll...that would be down right embarrassing! However, there's no drawstring and there's no pocket. I prefer the added security the drawstring provides and I like the idea of having a pocket to carry the mouthpiece in. There is plenty of leg room for when the legs must spread out and I feel no resistence from the leg openings. These aren't the skin tight, lycra-spandex, short-shorts (like Ranger panties), so there's room for modesty and a cup. ;) Made in China.
The rash guard can be previewed at the website for a description. The quality of this rash guard is awesome! It's made of an 85% Nylon/15% Spandex material and has a very stylish "HCK" in white (stitched) on the left side of the mini neck collar. Two things stand out about this rash guard just by looking at it: 1) It's cut long bodied. This means there's no chance of it riding up your stomach and/or back when you're rolling. 2) The stylish HCK on the collar is the ONLY marking on it. These two things alone make the expense of buying it well worth it. Never mind the reinforced stitch work and never mind the durability...LOL! One more thing, I gave it the pinch test. Actually, I gave it the grab-pull-twist test and the rash guard left no sign of where I had grabbed, pulled, and twisted...wow! I also grabbed inside the collar from the front of my neck and pulled straight down to my stomach and released. The neck opening snapped right back and there was no sound of ripping and no sign of stress to the rash guard...double wow! Made in China.
3. Hitman Fight Gear (http://www.hitmanfightgear.com/) (link)
The Service: I ordered a T-shirt and a pair of their Camouflaged (black & white - I know it as "Urban") grappling/fight shorts and received it in three business days. I actually got what I ordered and free gifts like another T-shirt, a hat, window logo sticker, and a bumber sticker - kewl! I just love free stuff AND this was my first time ordering from them, so awesome first impression. I can't speak on returns because I had no problems with my order. I mean absolutely none. I ordered, got my confirmation email for that order, got another email when it was shipped AND the UPS tracker was included! No charge to my credit card until it was shipped and the website has secure ordering.
The Product: The grappling/fight shorts can be reviewed at their website for a description. The outer shell of the shorts is very smooth and snag free. Polyester "board shorts" are much better (durable) than the lycra material used in earlier vale tudo/grappling shorts. These aren't the skin tight, lycra-spandex, short-shorts (like Ranger panties), so there's room for modesty and a cup. ;) Yes. That's a repeat statement. Before I get into anything else, let me say the two things negative about these grappling shorts - the leg openings could be a teensy-bit larger and there's no inner lining. That's it. That's all I have. Now the good things...and there are plenty! The velcro closure in front is strong and very secure. When I say secure, I mean the top portion, where your button, snap, or hook would be in "normal" pants, has a double closure. The outer closure is very tight and smooth, so no worries about your partner or your shorts being ripped off or loose. I mean no worries when I say that because Hitman has provided an inner drawstring to compliment the Fort Knox like security you'll have when you wear these shorts. There's also a small outer pocket on the right side with velcro closure that holds a mouthpiece perfectly. That pocket closes tight and keeps the smooth and snag free outer shell integrity so there's very little chance (if any) it'll snag or be ripped while rolling. The design tells me that Hitman is working very close with the fighter's and customer feedback. Made in USA.
I won't get into T-shirts because, well...it's a T-shirt. I will mention that they are made of USA fabric and assembled in Mexico just to keep somewhat of the same format.
*Note: When I mention the inner lining of shorts, regardless from whom, I am not speaking of "support" lining but rather a lining closer to that of a coat or jacket or even luggage.
Peace