Jin-Shi swords are still my favorite.

I'm having Garrett replicate some of my more interesting antiques. His company sure makes changes a lot quicker than some of the larger forges. A few of my pieces have interested him in terms of possible standard offerings in the future.

Garrett lives in same city as me, so it's very handy for him to examine my antiques and make diagrams/notes for his boys at the forge!!!

His blades have a more accurate geometry and better steel than either Hanwei or Huanuo. I nicked up my Royal Peony and Hanwei Rodell jian parrying his very early production jian....current ones are much improved!

Gundoggy, i have to agree as to the superiority of jin-shi over hanwei. my rodell has been a disappointed to me. i never have had to do any work on my jin shi production model. if it any indication of the custom models... well you get the picture. the only problem is which one do i get next. as i stated the tang jian has my attention. i have a united black ikazuchi... which looks like japanese version of it and am very happy with the style, but it isnt as tough. it was the one that the jin shi nicked keeping my bro from cutting himself during bottle cutting. they are rated the same HRC but i would have to think that the metal difference or smithing has made a big improvement for jinshi.

Bloodwraith: Don't get an ipad. www.hp.com/slate Windows 7, has usb port, has smart card expansion slot, can use stylus, cheaper... Should be out in a month or two.

only if it is the right pretty sword mate

Well when I get mine I believe it will be the first twistcore ordered from jin-shi so I am very excited about that and the fact that I can get a twistcore blade with my own specs is just that much more awesome and the price I've paid is absolutely, without doubt of contradiction, unbeatable. Who'd have thought it? Not even 2 years ago would I have been able to order a piece like this for less than a grand, times have changed and the sword market is now much more fleshed out and competitive than ever, though that could be dangerous in and of itself but time will tell.

Jin shi Da Dao is my favoite .After having it for a while the short handle is not much an issue for me anymore ,it is well balance enough that I can use it one hand without much of the problem

Jin-shi is pretty much my favorite as well. While I don't own many live blades, I've handled some, as well as owned the more forms suited Hanwei jian. They just don't compare to the one Han Jian I got from Garrett. I got it last year, and it still cuts like a laser. It's also the best balanced sword I own, even above the Adam Hsu jian, which is a much lighter sword, and thus not really suited to be considered the real thing. I'm definitely planning on getting another one from Jin-Shi; the quality and unbeatable price is just too apparent at this point.

Why would anybody want to do that?

I decided ages ago that when I finally start to dabble in Chinese arms, it'll be with Jin-Shi. A buddy of mine had been eying various Han jian for a while when I showed him a review somebody did here for one they got from Jin-Shi. Haven't spoken much to the guy since...

hahaha no ? on manliness bro. i concur about brenno's work as well. i havent had the privilege of getting my hands on one, but danged it that fox jian he made sure looks sweet. i was interested in something like that with a lion.