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Post by newbie on Jun 18, 2011 20:37:11 GMT
Hi everyone  I realize that there has been a thread about this Jian before, but since it was a few months ago, I thought I'd bring the topic back up to the top of the discussion board. I've been looking quite often at this sword, trying to dissuade myself from buying one, but for some reason I can't pull myself away. Does anyone have any information or updates about the sword that I should know before buying? Anyone have one that wouldn't mind giving me a run down on what the sword is like in-hand? Basically I'm just looking for reviews on quality, historical accuracy, and all around opinions Thanks! Newbie |
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Post by chrisperoni on Jun 18, 2011 20:43:24 GMT
This one? Hanwei Qi Jian I've seen it around on the forums before,I know at least a couple of active members have had one. Sorry I can't be of more help but I thought I could at least give a link for you- should help get people to check it out. |
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Post by newbie on Jun 18, 2011 20:56:32 GMT
Yes! That one, thank you! lol. Also, I've asked KOA and they said that they can sharpen it for $18. Would this have any effect on the original appearance of the blade?
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Post by chrisperoni on Jun 18, 2011 21:03:17 GMT
Ask them if they sharpen with a bevel or rolled edge. Beveled will have a visible line along the edge, rolled should be a smooth transition from edge to back, no line affecting the look.
The actual sharpness will depend on the quality of the sharpening regardless of bevel or rolled.
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Post by Kilted Cossack on Jun 19, 2011 3:10:53 GMT
Bevel. That's based on a bunch of Windlass blades, but if it's the same sharpening service, it'll be beveled.
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Post by Miekka on Jun 19, 2011 3:59:02 GMT
According to Hanwei, the sword is constructed of a single piece of steel, so its construction is not historically accurate to my knowledge. This single piece construct unfortunately causes a ripple effect in which it affects the weight and point of balance for the sword, making them historically inaccurately as well. The weight is probably 10oz heavier than is generally accepted for historically accurate jian, and the balance is about 3 to 4 inches off. The closer point of balance probably helps offset the weight though. EDIT: That said, the single piece construction likely makes for a stronger piece overall. It might be a nice "beater" type sword.
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Post by newbie on Jun 19, 2011 13:49:07 GMT
Hanwei claims that they got it as a reconstruction project. It's been a while since I read it, but it said something about an old legend or someone that had a sword like this. Idk, it's just got me curious.  |
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Post by SwordFan on Jun 19, 2011 17:44:15 GMT
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Post by newbie on Jun 20, 2011 11:44:50 GMT
Thank you! That review really helped! Well... time to start saving up! |
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Post by adtharp on Jun 20, 2011 12:45:55 GMT
Here is an excerpt from the Spirit of Steel - the Hanwei video. They show the original sword. This is supposedly a historically accurate way of making them, although it was very rare. www.youtube.com/casbp#p/u/5/316yM-wjlrII find the weight to be about right for a cutting jian, and the balance is at a nice spot. My tai chi instructor thought that it was correct to his knowledge. I really like it, just putting that out there. |
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Post by HouShe on Jun 21, 2011 13:00:37 GMT
Honestly, I don't think I could ever bring myself to buy one.
Apart from the lines seeming to be subtly off (that might just be the photo) the fittings look effing hideous.
The first might just be the photo and not be true irl, the second is just a personal opinion.
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Post by newbie on Jun 22, 2011 11:36:37 GMT
Lol, which fittings?
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Post by HouShe on Jun 22, 2011 21:32:08 GMT
For the Hanwei Qi Jian.
Actually the vast majority of Hanwei Jians out there are ugly as sin. Huanao aren't much better, but at least things like the Royal peony are bareable.
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Post by newbie on Jun 23, 2011 0:58:07 GMT
Yeah but educate me here... What are you considering a fitting? If it's made out of one solid piece of steel, there really isn't any fitting, unless you're talking about the scabbard?
Anyways, I'll agree with you, it's not the most attractive sword, but idk, I kind of like it because of that same feature. It's flawed, it's beaten up looking, but at the same time it looks like a real battle worn sword not made for looking pretty but made for one purpose.
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Post by HouShe on Jun 23, 2011 1:52:57 GMT
Well, what would normally be the fittings are the guard, pommel and grip. The colours are all nasty, the houshu is weird, the pommel looks strange and doesn't have the normal elegance of a jian, the scabbard makes no sense. Making something out of one solid piece of steel isn't historical. I far prefer, for workhorse style swords, simple, elegant fittings myself. Plain brass Ace of Spades guard, or another variation is simple, elegant and gives the impression of being a workhorse. Or something like this antique here: sevenstarstrading.com/site/swords/3307-2/Basic, iron fittings. |
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Post by Vue on Jun 23, 2011 16:34:56 GMT
The influences for the Qi Jian design is more apparent if you look at ancient Chinese bronze swords, I for one appreciate that ancient aesthetics. There isn't that much Chinese swords out there that are based on the earlier dynasties, the most popular and varied reproductions design are from the Ming and so on. Hanwei Qi Jian historically accurate? properly not, it's more Historically influenced I'd say. Drool worthy reproduction of a much earlier period Jian www.lqzwdj.com/products.asp?id=658The original can be seen here www.chinesearms.com/swordbook/swordbook.htm |
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Post by newbie on Jun 23, 2011 23:30:14 GMT
Oh wow that's a beautiful sword! But, unfortunately I can't read it. lol. Any price range?
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Post by HouShe on Jun 23, 2011 23:58:40 GMT
I am well aware of the ancient aesthetic. It's simply that the Qi jian is such a poor rendition that I can not like it. It's more fantasy piece rather than historical repro.
The reason why there are far more Ming onwards designs out there is that we have far more surviving examples, for logical reasons. I quite like the Han dynasty blade, that is so commonly reproduced, although using it for modern forms is kind of crazy, since the grip is designed totally differently to a Qing/Ming era jian. Plus, no one has any idea of how people actually fought prior to the Ming dynasty.
Anyone who tells you otherwise is either mistaken, has access to books that may or may not be valid and even then probably don't cover the important things or is outright lying.
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Post by HouShe on Jun 24, 2011 0:01:08 GMT
translate.google.com/translate?j ... 58&act=url I think it's 65000 Yuan, but since I'm relying on google translate here, it's been known to be wrong. If it IS 65000 Yuan then that's about $10000
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Post by HouShe on Jun 24, 2011 0:17:06 GMT
Now, further inspection seems to show that it has an octagonal cross section, made in san-mei construction. I could be wrong, but there isn't much in the way of photos that give the right angles to be sure.
As for what materials, it looks like iron as opposed to steel on the cheeks, with some folding. Similar to Zhou Zheng Wu's entry in the Macau Masters of Fire exhibition.
Is it worth $10,000? Probably not. A few thousand, sure.
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