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Post by Deleted on Jul 3, 2010 3:46:56 GMT
Guesstimate a couple grand to spend per sword...
I definitely want one of Garrett's twistcore jian (and a matching willow leaf dao), but I am not fond of the level of detail in his fittings. Who would be best to have fittings done by?
And, in another thread, it was recommended to send the sword to someone else for mounting and scabbard?
And, finally, I am still having trouble telling the difference in the fittings for the different "style" jians. I get the Han Dynasty and earlier are bronze. But after? I just don't see it. Can anyone spell it out for me? What's the difference between a Qing and a Ming and a Yuan and a Tang, etc, etc, etc...?
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Post by sicheah on Jul 3, 2010 4:25:35 GMT
I think the best way to learn about the history of Chinese sword is through books before getting a custom fittings. IMO this is the best way to learn about sword fittings. When later if you decided to go custom, you will have a good idea of what you want. As usual there is the good old Thomas Chen website (not much but its free) thomaschen.freewebspace.com/custom2.htmlI do not know what good books are available. It is best ask someone knowledgeable at SFI...but I did came across some interesting pictures here: www.chinesearms.com/swordbook/swordbook.htmOf course you could go here and ask more questions: www.chinahistoryforum.com/index.php?/forum/55-ancient-chinese-arsenal/My advise is this: get good books and learn all the various fittings that exist between different time periods. You will soon learn that the "Han fittings" and the "Tang fittings" is not as useful a term since there are lots of different fittings within a particular time period (a lot have to do with a person wealth, taste and existing regulations) Learn as much as you can so you can have a good idea on what kind of fittings you want. Once you are ready, go ahead and have a custom fittings of your desire. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 3, 2010 17:23:33 GMT
sicheah, you may not recall, but that first is the same site you showed me the last time I asked the question. It didn't help. I'm a member at CHF and have asked this question and a few others. They haven't been able to answer any question I've asked. Ever. I guess I ask stuff they've never thought about.
But that middle link is new to me. I'll check it out and see.
edit: And I can't read it. The pictures alone don't help. I don't suppose that book has an english translation?
And sicheah, I DO know the history of the jian. What I Don't know is what makes a particular "style" jian different from another. I haven't been able to find any strong commonalities between jian of one period that are different from the next. All the common traits pretty much run through the entire history of the sword as far as I can tell (not including the base metal: bronze/iron/steel).
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2010 22:57:48 GMT
One of the most commonly used methods for knowing which sword fits into which time period is by studying the motifs and materials. The best primary sources seem to be artworks from the time you are studying. There are very good sources in museums all over the world and many photos have been taken, so we are not short of study material.
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Post by sicheah on Jul 4, 2010 23:38:33 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2010 0:07:31 GMT
Yep. Even read a few of them. None go into the question I am asking beyond what I already know.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2010 15:31:25 GMT
Short of having some antique fittings to reproduce, there aren't many choices in 'historically accurate' fittings out there. You could try to find someone to commission to create fitting to your liking but that will likely turn a dead end too. In some ways getting the fittings is much harder than getting a good blade today. I had commissioned a blade from the late Paul Champagne, after discussing it with Scott Rodell and Philip Tom I ended up choosing production fitting from www.sevenstarstrading.com/html/huanuo/jueyuejian.htmlas it was based on a historical antique, AND it was available!!! |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2010 4:51:37 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2010 23:45:54 GMT
That's a dead end. Cost $5000 to get a set of fittings done in cheapest copper option. Also need a minimum order quantity. Best thing is to buy blade and scavenge (or ask someone else to) for good fittings. Only other option is custom fittings, but like above, be prepared to pay. I could do it, but no average, sane person would pay for it. As far as differences between jian of various periods. That's more time (essay) than I'm willing to spend at the keyboard here. I can share my limited knowledge if you give me a call. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2010 7:20:35 GMT
Couldn't you tell where to look in English language sources?
And you might not know this yet, but I am not your average, sane person. Certainly not average and my sanity is often in question.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2010 20:55:05 GMT
If it was that simple I would post links, but unfortunately most of my knowledge comes from scattered sources and I can't even remember where each tidbit came from. SFI Chinese archives certainly has by far the most, but you have to spend time and dig.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2010 22:39:17 GMT
Blast. I was afraid of that.
If I find your number on your store website, you can expect my call. I'd like to pick your brain, however much is there.
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