slav
Senior Forumite
Posts: 818
|
Post by slav on Jul 13, 2012 1:52:58 GMT
If anybody wants to check out a small Chinatana forge that, IMO, truly do stand out as having great potential...have a look at Brandon Sword. Namely their higher end offerings. They also were at one time connected with Ryan Sword.
|
|
Sam H
Member
Posts: 1,099
|
Post by Sam H on Jul 13, 2012 1:57:29 GMT
Was that a joke?
|
|
slav
Senior Forumite
Posts: 818
|
Post by slav on Jul 13, 2012 2:21:07 GMT
Nope.
You've gotta look thru all of them. Some (most) look just like the swords we've been talking about this whole thread. But every so often you'll see one or two for sale on their site that really stands out. It makes me think they (and likely others) source their stock from more than one forge.
|
|
Sam H
Member
Posts: 1,099
|
Post by Sam H on Jul 13, 2012 2:25:45 GMT
Ok. Perhaps later I'll go peruse their offerings - not that I'm in the market right now - but it'll be nice to see find another vendor that might have something worth buying in the future.
|
|
Kuya
Registered
Posts: 1,396
|
Post by Kuya on Jul 13, 2012 3:30:11 GMT
Hopefully someone will find the next "Masahiro Bamboo!"
|
|
Sean (Shadowhowler)
VIP Reviewer
Retired Moderator
No matter where you go, there you are.
Posts: 8,828
|
Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Jul 13, 2012 3:58:41 GMT
Comparing the Raptor to a KC Katana 29 is apples and oranges... one is a TH 'beater' style katana... and the other is a DH attempt at a more traditional katana with some quirks. Between the two... I like the KC 29 a lot more... but then I LOVE Kris Cutlery swords, and almost always recommend them first in the sub 300 range.
I don't think you should buy a Hanwei brother... you stated you prefer to support 'the little guy' and there is nothing wrong with that. I just want to make sure that if you post something about Hanwei, that your facts are in order. You may prefer to spend your money elsewhere due to a desire to support the underdog... but for someone just looking for advice on a sword, who does not give a crap about your personal predilections, they deserve to be steered to the sword that best suits their needs.
I had three different Raptors... the Shobu was my favorite. (And the one I reviewed.) I also dislike the 'hump' on the Unokobi.
|
|
|
Post by Jakeonthekob on Jul 13, 2012 5:41:11 GMT
Swords should be recommended based on performance characteristics. Even if I am a supporter of Munetoshi, that doesn't mean that I recommend it first to someone. When they look for something specific, I recommend certain other brands which may suit their tastes more or less perfectly.
|
|
|
Post by Jussi Ekholm on Jul 13, 2012 8:56:24 GMT
Well this thread has gone off the rails a good while ago, so I'll guess that little nudge to back on track wont be too bad (but I still keep steering this off too... ). First to Rob, sword collecting is a great hobby. My advice to everyone is to only buy what they like. It is your collection, so why should you bother on peoples thoughts. Only you can decide what each piece is worth to you. Sure some things are more valuable to myself than any other would pay for them, and that shows what I hold dear to me. If Yao's blades are hitting your buttons, then that is a good thing for you. But as you start to get more into Japanese swords (heck even the Chinese made production ones), your taste might change signifigantly. Then onto Hanwei, I don't know if many new collectors know that they've been making Japanese swords in China from the early 90's as a production company. On the top of my head I can't remember many forges that have been around for a long while. KC had Japanese line from the 90's but I think their quality got better in latter half of 00. Fred Chen/Huanuo came in late 90's-2000 and in my opinion with it's spinoffs has been one of the greatest production companies. And those 3 are the companies that I could recommend for users even this day. I've never owned a KC sword but know their quality and level. I've owned quite a bunch of swords from Hanwei and Fred Chen/spinoffs (well living aside from major swordmarkets, Finland isn't a major sword country. It's only a handful compared to some guys in here but enough for my intrests), so I can say a word or 2 on their quality. When you buy Hanwei, you don't buy from the factory, of course the middleman has to add few $ to price to stay in business. And it's usually same thing for Fred Chen/spinoffs. Sean made very good post about Hanwei earlier, that shows why they have stayed as a "big dog" all these years. For the quality in personal view, low end Hanwei swords have always been good for the price. I've owned 2 high end Hanweis, Tiger and a Bugei tachi. Both were/are good swords for the low price I paid for them in bad (Bugei) and some minor injuries (Tiger) condition but not for what they retail. When I sold Tiger to another Finn we chatted and he had been searching that for a long time but couldn't have afforded it with the huge price tag they have in Europe c.1150-1350€. In my opinion and I said to him it's a nice sword in c.650-750€ range but the price in Europe is not justified for the quality. New trend super mat cutters, well... I personally think they are bit stupid invention. Sure some people like to whack things just for the fun of it, and these cutters might be good for them. Wonder if the next evolution step will be even thinner and wider geometry? I smiled at that car comparison . In Finland everyone who knows about cars knows that Toyota makes some of the most reliable cars in the world. When they hit 300-500k km mileage in Finland (usually without any major problems) the Hiluxes, Hiaces and Land Cruisers are shipped to Africa where they'll easily get another 300-500k under their belt in different but equally harsh conditions as in here (Winter vs. heat). Again most of the post was way off the topic... but I'd suggest everyone to buy swords they like currently, after couple years you might find out your taste has changed but that's just how it goes.
|
|
Sean (Shadowhowler)
VIP Reviewer
Retired Moderator
No matter where you go, there you are.
Posts: 8,828
|
Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Jul 13, 2012 15:39:44 GMT
I also smiled at the comparison... I'm a car nut, I worked for a car dealership group for 7 years... and everyone 'in the biz' respects Toyota because they are well made. I worked for BMW for awhile... and all the BMW mechanics drove Honda and Toyota cars. :lol: Toyota is a big dog because they EARNED it.
|
|
Kuya
Registered
Posts: 1,396
|
Post by Kuya on Jul 13, 2012 16:07:13 GMT
Never said Toyotas weren't reliable or well built. But for the past decade and a half, they've become more appliance than car. Scion was a joke of "enthusiast based" design and driving, until they teamed up with Subaru to make the new RWD coupe.
|
|
slav
Senior Forumite
Posts: 818
|
Post by slav on Jul 13, 2012 18:59:14 GMT
The scion FRS looks just awesome, aesthetically!
I'm a Honda man myself. I truly believe in their product, their history, and their company as a whole.
|
|
Sean (Shadowhowler)
VIP Reviewer
Retired Moderator
No matter where you go, there you are.
Posts: 8,828
|
Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Jul 13, 2012 19:18:57 GMT
Me as well... have owned many Honda's... and I currently have my long wanted baby... the Honda S2000. Car puts a huge smile on my face every time I look at it... almost makes up for all the epic swords I sold to get it.
|
|
Sam H
Member
Posts: 1,099
|
Post by Sam H on Jul 13, 2012 20:27:22 GMT
I absolutely LOVE Hondas... I just wish they'd figure out how to make a real truck. :cry:
|
|
|
Post by Rob Dorsey on Jul 13, 2012 23:09:29 GMT
Mr. Ridgeway,
While I am sure that your expertise and experience not only vastly exceeds mine but also that of most if not all of the attendees to this forum. However, I also notice that the terms "it seems to me" or "I think" or "in my opinion" seem to be completely missing from your vocabulary. This is, of course, warranted if you are so sure of your facts and positions that such humility is unnecessary.
Please, I certainly mean no offense by this little missive. It is just offered as a comment on a rhetorical style and a display of confidence that I find amazing given the complexity of the subject matter. In my working life I was in a position where I had to lead a particularly recalcitrant group of several hundred professionals, each possessed of a considerable ego. I made a lot of mistakes before I got the hang of it and one of the things I had to learn was that, by definition, a leader has to have willing followers. I notice that you hold a position of authority on this forum. If that also means a position of leadership then, and I offer this with the greatest respect for your knowledge, perhaps a little modesty might serve you better and line up even more followers behind you than you already have.
I will stop here because I fear I have said way too much already. But for me, oh man, do I wish that I were so certain of anything.
Respectfully Yours, Rob Dorsey - sword newbie but tenured in life
|
|
|
Post by chuckinohio on Jul 14, 2012 0:55:10 GMT
Someone said Northern Kentucky, I heard y'all say it.
Ludlow, Newport, or Covington area perhaps?
|
|
slav
Senior Forumite
Posts: 818
|
Post by slav on Jul 14, 2012 1:05:20 GMT
OR how about Letonia: the armpit of the world! (No, I am not from there thank God)
I live in Lexington but I dated an NKY girl.
|
|
|
Post by chuckinohio on Jul 14, 2012 1:15:52 GMT
The world must be shaped awful funny, because its anus is Piqua Ohio. :?
|
|
Marc Kaden Ridgeway
Member
Retired Global Moderator
Awful lot of leaving and joining going on here for me .... And gosh I can't recall doing a bit of i
Posts: 8,778
|
Post by Marc Kaden Ridgeway on Jul 14, 2012 1:39:30 GMT
Awesome... I appreciate your worthy advice... however I have no wish to lead or have followers. What I DO have is a passion for swords and some rudimentary knowledge on that subject. See I AM very sure of some things , and others not so much . I am pretty well versed in my avocation , and my vocation. Some things I very much defer to others on... such as Oakeshotte typologies ... or anything having to do with military sabers... however we aren't discussing those here. Here we are discussing Chinese -made replicas of a shinogi zukuiri sugata katana, a subject I am quite qualified to speak of in an informed manner. For this reason I have been asked by some of the best known and most respected sword-makers , both corporations and custom makers to write reviews of their products.
However do not trouble yourself as to whether I have willing followers... i do not lead. I have been entrusted with the authority to tend to this forum in the highest position here, besides the founder... but all I do is babysit , I do not lead.
I WILL however speak my mind LOUDLY and proudly when I feel that the sword buying populace is being led astray , either by misplaced enthusiam or by malicious intent. I believe this to be the former , but I do believe it to be my responsibility as a senior member of this community to point out inacuracies that might lead others to spend hard-earned funds on an inferior product. If you doubt my qualifications to speak on the matter , seek other opinions, the preponderance of which in this thread seem to agree with me. HOWEVER , whether you agree with me or not, I have indeed been entrusted with a position of authority here , and I will offer my opinion with confidence when I feel it is so merited.
BTW, welcome to the forum, there are many good people here and lots to learn from them, most of whom are indeed more knowledgable than me.
|
|
Aaron
Member
Senior Forumite
Posts: 2,369
|
Post by Aaron on Jul 14, 2012 2:08:02 GMT
The new GT-86/FR-S/BR-Z hasn't done anything impressive. They hyped the car up for years as a return to form, a messiah of entry-level performance/drift coupes, said it would cost 20 grand, etc. It was all marketing. It's a terrible drift car unless you're mashing the e-brake, it will cost you 30 grand out the door (which puts it with the 370z, which dominates it), and the FA engine is completely worthless. A gutless, underpowered slow-mobile. Yet it's got a 12.5:1 compression ratio, so good luck getting any more power out of it without completely swapping out the pistons just to get the compression down in order to run any decent amount of boost. Also the QC is a joke, body panels gaps from the factory are horrendous.
Buuut this isn't a car forum...
|
|
Marc Kaden Ridgeway
Member
Retired Global Moderator
Awful lot of leaving and joining going on here for me .... And gosh I can't recall doing a bit of i
Posts: 8,778
|
Post by Marc Kaden Ridgeway on Jul 14, 2012 2:24:32 GMT
Hmmm see here I have to defer... I am definitely not a car expert.
In my opinion, the two cars I've had that were the most fun to drive were a 2001 Volkswagen Jetta VR6 5 speed and a 2010 Audi A4 2.0T 6 speed.
|
|