cold steel jade lion gim

That is true, given that the scabbard is wrap with rayskin, super nice guard, blade is damascus, and the weight about of 2.0 lbs, (better check this one out), it is really quite a deal.

On the other hand:
1) MSRP of $800 is pretty darn expensive, but you can always get one at super-low price of $460 from Marc at wiwingti:

www.wiwingtiswordsupply.com/coldsteeljadeliongim.html

2) The term "damascus" make me uneasy because it does not relay information on how the blade was tempered. A knock off $300 sword have blade that are "damascus" but given the way it is tempered, its durability may be worse than a monosteel blade. Nevertheless Cold Steel have a reputation of making super-durable swords so I am okay with it.

3) On the other hand Cold Steel has quite negative reputation that their swords lacks good handling, (which was a major criticism to the normal Cold Steel carp jian). For a jian handling should be important aspect, even for $500 jian.

It would be great if someone here who has handle the lion gim could share some info on the handling.

On the plus side given its ornate fitting, (great guard, sharkskin scabbard, nice looking blade) $500 jian is quite a deal. But for $500 one can also opt for huanuo peony jian (from seven stars trading in US) which has a good reputation for making decent jian or for $650? you can pick a hand-forge+folded carp jian from east wind knife and sword co. at:

www.ew-knifeandsword.com/catalog1.html

Bottomline,
Pro: Great fitting, worth the $500 (or $460 plus shipping from wiwingti). Huanuo jian costs $1000 for that kind of fitting.

Con: No info on handling or the composition of the blade.

Update** cold steel jade lion gim is selling for $400 at cult of athena and the blade weight is 2 lb 3 oz, slightly on the heavy side. But at POB of 4" from guard, it should handle pretty well. (it is all speculation here, don't take my word for it)

kultofathena.com has it listed for 400$. It was exceptionally tempting, especially once I saw how beautiful the fittings and skin wrap were. You RARELY see rayskin on swords under 5-600.

still, i'm not sold on the damascus blade and i've heard horror stories about their first jian's handling, so i don't really plan on holding my breath until the sword's durability and maneuverability are proved to me. Cold Steel is a great forge, but their first foray into the jian business was very unimpressive to me.

Cold Steel Gim's weight ( a tad heavy) is done on purpose for beefier blade.
However cold steel's POB is 4" at guard and is slightly towards the hilt, which made for nice handling.
Most antique jian POB where about 5", slightly heavy on blade (if I am not mistaken) but remember that they are slightly lighter than cold steel gim.
For $400 with rayskin scabbard, it is really cheap. Although I cannot comment on damascus blade but its 1055 TH blade is great.
At least alot of people are happy with cold steel original gim for price of $250.

Hi
Take a look at this site

www.cultofathena.com/swords-chinese.htm

400$
Nice one 2
Greetz

I never could get into Chinese swords...I have never liked the way they looked. Having said that, this particular one is somewhat interesting to me...but definitely not at that price point. I look forward to a review of it, though.

I can haz cheeseburgers in the interim. lol not sure why that popped up in my head.

Hehe...well, looks like I'll be the first here to take the plunge! I just ordered a Jade Lion Gim from KoA so I'll be able to tell you guys how she handles and cuts in the next week. I also put in an order for a custom dragon jian from Garrett at Jin-Shi. T10, diff. hardened , ebony grip and scabbard...I CAN'T WAIT!!! This will be my first foray into the Chinese sword realm. Wish me luck! ;D

I'll be very interested in both of those reviews... as those exact two swords are what I would have gone for in a Jian/Gim sword.

Well, guys...I recieved the sword today and I must say IT'S BAD@$$! The fittings are all tight and highly detailed (with a few very minor casting flaws), the grip is wrapped very tightly and the hilt appears to be peened (I think...no nut at the end of the pommel...just a mushroom-shaped fastener of some sort).

Best of all, the "damascus" blade has a very subtle folding pattern and it seems quite stiff and well-tempered. The scabbard and grip wrap aren't as green as on many pics I've seen online, but still look quite nice, nonetheless.

I got this from KoA and as usual, prices, service and shipping were all top notch. A review will follow as soon as I sign up for an online pic server

Look forward to that review Nicko... I love the look of that Jade Lion... its just my style. ;D