Jin Shi Xin Jian Review
Jul 22, 2009 20:43:07 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jul 22, 2009 20:43:07 GMT
This is a review for the recently much talked about Jin Shi Jian.
What this sword is all about:
I purchased this sword because I am a Tai Chi Practicioner and I thought it would be neat to have a Jian that is a step above the practice ones used at my school. My instructor speaks mostly Chinese and so it was difficult for me to ask him about the jian, however I will be bringing this one to him in a couple of days so that I can ask him what he thinks about the balance and feel of it. Also it was on sale for $199 and there is nothing close to that price that claims to be usable as a cutter.
The description given on the Jin Shi website:
Opening the box:
The Jian is packaged in a very pretty box. Its just cheap display styrofoam/cardboard but none the less its very pretty and much more useable than the printed cardboard boxes other swords come in. As far as packaging goes this is one of the better ones I have seen.
When I first opened the box and grabbed the sword out I was surpised at how light it was. I was definitely expectinig a heavier sword. I like it. It feels fantastic. The balance, the weight, everything. I am not the most expierenced practicioner but this sword feels better, by far, than any sword in my school.
ETA: I have shown Teacher my sword. Luckily there was a student nearby who uderstood Chinese and thus could translate my question.
I will leave out the details of whom exactly my teacher is because I do not believe it was his intention to use his name as endorsement any particular company. I will simply say that he is a Grandmaster who grew up in Chen Village. He was just doing me a favor by taking a look at the sword and giving his impression.
His impressions were that the balance was "very, very good" and that I "must be very careful with a sword like this". In fact he forbid me from practicing with it. He said I was allowed to hang it on my wall and that is it, because "a sword like this is used for killing not practice". Of course you have to keep in mind that I am a beginner so perhaps if I had more experience he would not have minded.
If you will allow me to be less than objective for a minute; I can for the first time swing a sword around without feeling just a little bit goofy because it feels like a sword.
Measurements:
The blade from the very base, inside the guard, to the tip is just a tad under 27". The first inch is sleeved so it has 26" of edged blade.
The handle inbetween the pommel and the guard is exactly 5".
Over all the sword is 34.5"
The guard is 3.75" wide.
It balances at about 4" from the inside of the guard where the blade begins.
Components:
The fittings were a bit dinged up. I am not sure if they all look like this of if mine just came from the bottom of the barrel. Anyway the pictures show some of the worst of it. A lot of the "scruffs" don't show up well in pictures. I don't hate the fittings, I guess I just expected them to be a little bit "cleaner" is all.
They are also pretty loose and the bottom came off almost all on its own. The rest don't seem to be held on with anything other than friction.
And finally a look at the blade.
I couldn't get much detail to show up on the blade.
......so I had to use the flash. Any my flash needs batteries right now so I had to use the one on the camera. Sorry.
Cutting:
I have read a few reviews where the review will first set up the box is shipped in, takes a swipe, and neatly cuts it in two. I tried this and, probably due to a lack of training, only dented the box a little. I tried to cut paper and it only works near the top 6" which is cool because jian are supposed to be sharper near the tip. Even then, it tears more than it cuts.
Sharpness is less important than skill and I possess very little skill and its not a very sharp blade.
I also want to use this for practice so maybe Garrett had enough sense not to send me a razor sharp one since thats what I told him when I ordered it. I'll have to thank him later.
Conclusions:
Over all I like it. I wish the fittings were attached better and less dinged up but I love the way it feels. I figure I am going to be feeling it more than I will be looking at it so I am happy with my purchase. I am happy enough that I will be purchasing and reviewing a Dao from Jin Shi if he has any left to sell me.
If I had purchased it as a conversation/display piece I would probably have been dissapointed because of the fittings. As a tool I think its fantastic for the price.
Next, to sum up you can list the:
Pros:
-Great feel.
-Very historically accurate. Not completely, but enough.
-Great bargin.
Cons:
-banged up fittings.
-fittings not attached.
I am not sure if the lack of sharpness is intentional or not, but I wil ask Garrett and update the review for people looking for a cutter.
All in all I think its a great sword for the Tai Chi practiconer without $5-800 to spend on a sword and who wants a real blade to practice with instead of a floppy/unuseable blade. There are currently no other swords in this market that I am aware of.
What this sword is all about:
I purchased this sword because I am a Tai Chi Practicioner and I thought it would be neat to have a Jian that is a step above the practice ones used at my school. My instructor speaks mostly Chinese and so it was difficult for me to ask him about the jian, however I will be bringing this one to him in a couple of days so that I can ask him what he thinks about the balance and feel of it. Also it was on sale for $199 and there is nothing close to that price that claims to be usable as a cutter.
The description given on the Jin Shi website:
Our entry level jian comes with simple, contemporary styled brass fittings. The handle and scabbard are crafted from hua li hardwood exhibiting a unique grain. This jian is light for a Qing dynasty jian and is given a slightly forward point of balance to enhance cutting power. Ideal for those who value a nimble blade without sacrificing cutting power.
Opening the box:
The Jian is packaged in a very pretty box. Its just cheap display styrofoam/cardboard but none the less its very pretty and much more useable than the printed cardboard boxes other swords come in. As far as packaging goes this is one of the better ones I have seen.
When I first opened the box and grabbed the sword out I was surpised at how light it was. I was definitely expectinig a heavier sword. I like it. It feels fantastic. The balance, the weight, everything. I am not the most expierenced practicioner but this sword feels better, by far, than any sword in my school.
ETA: I have shown Teacher my sword. Luckily there was a student nearby who uderstood Chinese and thus could translate my question.
I will leave out the details of whom exactly my teacher is because I do not believe it was his intention to use his name as endorsement any particular company. I will simply say that he is a Grandmaster who grew up in Chen Village. He was just doing me a favor by taking a look at the sword and giving his impression.
His impressions were that the balance was "very, very good" and that I "must be very careful with a sword like this". In fact he forbid me from practicing with it. He said I was allowed to hang it on my wall and that is it, because "a sword like this is used for killing not practice". Of course you have to keep in mind that I am a beginner so perhaps if I had more experience he would not have minded.
If you will allow me to be less than objective for a minute; I can for the first time swing a sword around without feeling just a little bit goofy because it feels like a sword.
Measurements:
The blade from the very base, inside the guard, to the tip is just a tad under 27". The first inch is sleeved so it has 26" of edged blade.
The handle inbetween the pommel and the guard is exactly 5".
Over all the sword is 34.5"
The guard is 3.75" wide.
It balances at about 4" from the inside of the guard where the blade begins.
Components:
The fittings were a bit dinged up. I am not sure if they all look like this of if mine just came from the bottom of the barrel. Anyway the pictures show some of the worst of it. A lot of the "scruffs" don't show up well in pictures. I don't hate the fittings, I guess I just expected them to be a little bit "cleaner" is all.
They are also pretty loose and the bottom came off almost all on its own. The rest don't seem to be held on with anything other than friction.
And finally a look at the blade.
I couldn't get much detail to show up on the blade.
......so I had to use the flash. Any my flash needs batteries right now so I had to use the one on the camera. Sorry.
Cutting:
I have read a few reviews where the review will first set up the box is shipped in, takes a swipe, and neatly cuts it in two. I tried this and, probably due to a lack of training, only dented the box a little. I tried to cut paper and it only works near the top 6" which is cool because jian are supposed to be sharper near the tip. Even then, it tears more than it cuts.
Sharpness is less important than skill and I possess very little skill and its not a very sharp blade.
I also want to use this for practice so maybe Garrett had enough sense not to send me a razor sharp one since thats what I told him when I ordered it. I'll have to thank him later.
Conclusions:
Over all I like it. I wish the fittings were attached better and less dinged up but I love the way it feels. I figure I am going to be feeling it more than I will be looking at it so I am happy with my purchase. I am happy enough that I will be purchasing and reviewing a Dao from Jin Shi if he has any left to sell me.
If I had purchased it as a conversation/display piece I would probably have been dissapointed because of the fittings. As a tool I think its fantastic for the price.
Next, to sum up you can list the:
Pros:
-Great feel.
-Very historically accurate. Not completely, but enough.
-Great bargin.
Cons:
-banged up fittings.
-fittings not attached.
I am not sure if the lack of sharpness is intentional or not, but I wil ask Garrett and update the review for people looking for a cutter.
All in all I think its a great sword for the Tai Chi practiconer without $5-800 to spend on a sword and who wants a real blade to practice with instead of a floppy/unuseable blade. There are currently no other swords in this market that I am aware of.