|
|
Post by Nox on Apr 30, 2012 7:18:44 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Vue on Apr 30, 2012 8:13:23 GMT
Thanks for sharing with us and those are great production pieces, I personally love the Qi Jian 'still on the hunt for one'  . Wow The Rondell blade is quite substantial comparing with the other two, in your opinion which do you prefer as a cutter? I'm also in the market of a Rondell to customize as I think a simple white full same' wrap for the handle and black lacquered scabbard would look swell IMO. |
|
|
|
Post by Nox on Apr 30, 2012 17:48:31 GMT
That actually sounds like a good idea, I was thinking about changing the scabbard to black also.
It's a tough choice between the 3, all of them can actually cut, however the Jade Lion and the Rodell cut the best, while the qi jian really has some thrusting power. One hand cuts are easier with the jade lion than the Rodell though since it has a shorter grip.
|
|
|
|
Post by Taiwandeutscher on May 1, 2012 0:08:27 GMT
It looks like only the lion jian has a folded blade, right?
|
|
|
|
Post by Sir Tre on May 1, 2012 3:25:19 GMT
this is great. i do hope that you continue in this thread and maybe do a side by side review in review forum as well. welcome to the forum btw.
|
|
|
|
Post by Nox on May 1, 2012 3:56:47 GMT
Thanks Glad to be here, I may do that since I have tested all three of them out. here is a close up of the jade lion blade (sorry my camera is not really good for close ups) but in person this sword has a very visible "damascus" pattern which I couldn't really tell it had from some of the pics on the cold steel website.  here is a pic of them next to my Hung shing TS Hira zukuri blade, just to give an idea of the grip size of these swords.  |
|
|
|
Post by ineffableone on May 1, 2012 4:11:46 GMT
Very nice great thread, sending some karma for this great idea.  Good to see side by side comparisons. I would definitely love to see some reviewing/comparing of these in the review section. |
|
|
|
Post by junon on May 8, 2012 2:05:16 GMT
I really like the jade lion gim... I think it's the best bang for the buck in sub $500 jian range. I mean you got folded blade, decent fitting, and rayskin wrapped scabbard... This is quite rare! The closest jian with rayskin scabbard is Huanuo Peony Jian for $900-ish... (of course, Peony Jian is also sanmei, so different level). But for someone who wants a historically correct leather wrapped scabbard jian, I think the cold steel is the only choice they have for under $500 range.... I would be happy to be proven wrong though! As for the blade, I would say the folded is typical huanuo. The image I have on Dynasty Forge Jue Yun Jian (no sanmei lamination) also shown the same pattern. Perhaps Nox can compare and give his opinion about this? Can you compare your Cold Steel gim with Dynasty Forge one below? Here is the pics from Dynasty Forge Jue Yun Jian (I got it from another forum - UBC ... too bad I can't find the link now... My Google-Fu is not strong enough today... - I believe Wiwingti/Marc took them - so all credits goes to him)   |
|
|
|
Post by Nox on May 13, 2012 4:24:10 GMT
From the looks of the pictures I would say that the pattern on the jade lion is similar to that, though a bit darker and not as flowing, my camera does not take good quality pics at all so it's kinda hard to show the detail of the blade, the pattern comes out very blurry in the pics and most sites I found pics of the sword on( like kult of athena ) you cant really tell it has a pattern at all. I would like to see more images of these Huanuo and dynasty forge Jian though.
also I'm not sure if historical Jian blades were folded like that, maybe someone can correct me if I'm wrong? and I think when it comes to blade shape the Hanwei Rodell Jian is the only one of the three that has historical geometry, again Im not sure but that is what it seems like.
I really like the jade lion alot alsoand I agree that it is great for the price, but I cant help but not want to use it so much because I don't want to damage it, especially the wrapping on the grip, but this sword can cut with such ease with light one hand cuts.
as of right now I'm really having fun with the qi jian, it's great not having to worry about grips coming loose or nuts or pommels or anything like that when you are practicing.
|
|
|
|
Post by junon on May 14, 2012 2:28:17 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Nox on May 18, 2012 4:21:05 GMT
thanks for posting that link junon.
thats a nice sword, I think its a match for the jade lion, I would love to see how it cuts.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 29, 2012 3:34:39 GMT
Thanks for the comparison! I had always disregarded the Jade Lion (because of the reports of the Gim being slightly overweight and overbuilt), but you make a great point about it being the only thing in the price range with a ray skin scabbard. I suppose it would compete with Jin Shi's folded options, Huanuo's monosteel Royal Peony model, and Dynasty Forge's offerings (supposedly also by Huanuo). Dynasty Forge's jians are probably my favorite aesthetically of what we conventionally know as "jian," that is to say later dynasty stuff (not entirely sure if they came into being in the Ming or Qing dynasties). But that ray skin scabbard sure looks good.
Do you have more details comparing the handling and quality of the three? I was under the impression that the Qi jian wasn't intended to be used heavily; did the sword come sharp, and would you consider it to be as durable as the other two?
|
|
|
|
Post by Insane on May 29, 2012 7:12:51 GMT
Those are some really nice blades you bought.
I'm really curious about handeling of the Qi jian.
Does the counter weigth of the handle make a difference?
|
|
|
|
Post by Nox on May 30, 2012 19:34:47 GMT
when it comes to the jade lion it is the lightest of the three, I think the normal cold steel Gim is the one that might be a bit heavy and overbuilt, though I haven't had the chance to get my hands on one of those, I think cold steel was aiming for making the jade lion more a scholar sword, but it sure is a tough little thing.
The qi jian might be the most durable sword I own, it all has to do with the construction, I have put this sword through alot of abuse that would have ruined the grip and fittings of alot of other swords. The upper half of the blade is sharp it can cut a gatorade bottle in half, so its not super cutting sahrp or anything. I also thrust the sword into a tree multiple times with no harm to the point of the blade, thrusting and stabs are what this sword does best in my opinion.
The qi jian is a little more handle heavy than blade heavy though, the balance is almost right above the guard.
I really hope hanwei or another sword company makes another sword with the same solid construction, but maybe with a thicker sharper and heavier blade.
all that being said the qi jian is the one I find myself using the most, but mostly for forms and just free swordplay, The Rodell I use for serious training and cutting practice, and the jade lion I use every so often when I want to cut harder targets.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2012 1:24:30 GMT
Thanks for the enlightening response; I had not been aware that the Jade Lion was so light and handy. The Qi jian does seem very interesting in both concept and performance and its reviews seem to invalidate Hanwei's assertion that none of their Chinese swords, other than the Rodell, should be used for cutting.
|
|
. Wow The Rondell blade is quite substantial comparing with the other two, in your opinion which do you prefer as a cutter? 
