|
|
Post by Anders on Jul 2, 2011 3:46:42 GMT
Okay, so I have this internet aquiantance who's into kung fu. Recently he told me he was looking for a good dao and asked me if the Hanwei practical broadsword was any decent. I basically told him: "Yeah, for a $150 sword, I guess." Then we got to discussing price vs quality vs finding a decent dao at all. Once I explained what you might expect at the different price ranges, he let me know he'd be willing to pay as much as $500, but only if he got a very good sword out of it.
Later he wrote back and told me that he had talked about this with his wife, and she was of the opinion that paying a whole lot of money for a very good sword would be a terrible waste and that she'd rather see him spending the money on something better. Like a really superb sword.
Yeah. Apparently, she didn't want him to use an inferior blade, so the upper limit is now $1000. I told him he had an awesome wife and that while Chinese swords isn't my expertise, I'd see what I could find using my awesome sword collecting connections. (That's you guys.)
He seems to mainly be looking for an oxtail dao, with emphasis on quality craftmanship and excellent handling. Whether or not the sword is pretty to look at is probably not a factor at all - I've known this guy for a while now and he's definitely the kind who prefers the practical, utalitarian style. Bling, ornamentation and other fancy stuff really isn't his thing.
So, any recommendations?
|
|
|
|
Post by 14thforsaken on Jul 2, 2011 4:32:24 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Vincent Dolan on Jul 2, 2011 10:00:21 GMT
There's also Huanuo, which are available through Seven Stars Trading and are supposed to be excellent (Scott M. Rodell, a well known Chinese martial arts and swordsmanship enthusiast seems to swear by them). |
|
|
|
Post by Kilted Cossack on Jul 2, 2011 15:40:50 GMT
Jin-Shi? From a recent e-mail exchange with Garrett, their full-on top-o-the-line custom daos run about a kilobuck.
|
|
|
|
Post by Pogo4321 on Jul 3, 2011 3:31:59 GMT
Seems to me if he knows what he wants dimensions wise and keeps the fittings simple he could get a righteous sword from John Lundemo or Brenno for that kind of money.
For a production blade I echo Vincent go through Seven Stars and pick up a Huanuo
|
|
|
|
Post by Vue on Jul 3, 2011 4:50:34 GMT
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 3, 2011 5:14:57 GMT
To heck with the sword. I want this guy's wife. She must be a firm believer in the Golden Rule: Dao unto others as you would have them Dao unto you.
|
|
|
|
Post by Jayhawk on Jul 3, 2011 16:25:03 GMT
OMG!!!!!!!! I agree 100%. :lol:
|
|
|
|
Post by Polarclaw on Jul 3, 2011 22:52:27 GMT
Did you try out the Zheng Wu forge? They have some pretty stunning high end swords on their website. www.zhengwusword.com/spgm/index.php I'm not sure what their reputation is regarding blade strength, but they are certainly beautiful. |
|
|
|
Post by Anders on Jul 4, 2011 0:27:33 GMT
Thanks for the input so far, everyone.
I've mentioned Jin-Shi, and he seems interested since they're both in Canada. Does anyone know how Garret's better stuff compares to Huanou?
I've also mentioned that a custom from for example Lundemo might be or the best since it would let him decide on the specifics himself, plus he gets a unique sword out of it. That he'll likely want to keep the bling to a minimum might keep the cost down, too.
Yeah, I've never met the woman, but everything I've heard about her suggests she's one special lady.
Apparently, she now wants him to get a high-end jian while he's at it. :shock:
...I'm not exactly in the position where I can "try out" high-end Chinese swords. :?
Like I said, he prefers the utalitarian look, so "beautiful" isn't exactly a high priority. (He did like that one jian they had, with the rough-looking iron fittings.) I suppose what we're looking for is the dao equivalent of an Albion or Atrim, if there is such a thing. I'm not exactly sure where he stands on advanced blade contructions, though; sanmai, DH, etc. Haven't heard back from him on that.
Anyhoo, are there any reviews or anything for Zheng Wu? They certainly look pretty high end but I've never heard any comments on their products.
|
|
|
|
Post by Polarclaw on Jul 4, 2011 1:55:56 GMT
I take that suggestion back. I just read a review from Scott m. Rodell and it's not exactly promising. forum.grtc.org/viewtopic.php?t=609 That's the follow up review he did after extended use of Zheng Wu blades. EDIT: And this is the follow up of Zheng Wu Jian that was sent after Zheng Wu read the negative review. forum.grtc.org/viewtopic.php?t=628 it is a good Jian but I would be wary of ordering because of the inconsistency in the quality of their products. |
|
|
|
Post by Turok on Jul 4, 2011 2:58:35 GMT
The review posted is about 4-years old and I'd like to see whether they improved their quality after all this time. Zheng Wu is kinda interesting, I've heard a lot about these guys a lot on SFI back before they archived the Chinese forum. Though now I've haven't heard much (if anything) about them these days.
|
|
|
|
Post by Pogo4321 on Jul 4, 2011 6:33:48 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Anders on Jul 4, 2011 16:38:48 GMT
IIRC, my friend wasn't too crazy about the A&A jian. I think he mainly disliked the polished wood hilt - he insists on swords with some sort of wrap for secure handling.
|
|
|
|
Post by HouShe on Jul 7, 2011 10:23:05 GMT
Well, I've been travelling around, so for the first time, I'm back and able to have a look at this thread.
Honestly, if he wants utilitarian, ignore the Oxtails. They're not as efficient at cutting, were never used by the military and are designed purely to look cool.
Now, Jin-shi has a great reputation, so much so, in fact I'm ordering from them myself. Two jian and will probably end up getting a Dao from them in the future.
As for lacking ornamentation, simple brass Ace of Spades is my favourite fittings for a jian when there are no engravings, not that it changes the price for most places (Unless you want custom carved fittings.)
Huanao is alright for cutting, but isn't in the realm of Jin-Shi's reputation.
As for the A&A jian, it wouldn't be too difficult to throw a traditional wrap onto it if he wanted. I quite like the design overall apart from some minor issues (and that they don't do scabbards). Indeed, I inquired about whether the Jian comes with a scabbard to fit, in the traditional manner and they said that it'd probably cost around $500. So $1000 total for a monosteel blade... I don't care how good your Euro stuff is, that requires some cost cutting.
In conclusion, go with Jin-Shi, ask for a traditional blade geometry on a Liuyedao with a standard grip-wrap (I prefer squared fittings and grip rather than the rounded) and then as much blade niceties as you can afford. San-mei etc.
|
|
|
|
Post by Anders on Aug 16, 2011 19:10:31 GMT
Update: Last time we spoke, my friend seemed to have more or less settled on the Hanwei Song - his one complaint being that it's slightly short, though not so much as to be a problem. Everything else seemed to be to his liking, though.
He's now concentrating on looking for a jian. He's been in contact with Jin-Shi but it seems Garret simply can't provide the balance he needs - apparently his style requires a maximum POB of two inches. He's also contacted Zhi Sword but was given a similar reply.
Seems like he's totally okay with some decoration provided it's tasteful, but he specifically wants a jian where the guard curves away from the hand rather then towards it. Also, a sheath is pretty essential as well. (Turns out that was the main problem with the A&A.) Still, the balance thing seems to be his primary concern.
|
|
Herron's Flight by Brendan of Fable Blades
