Cold Steel Gim Sword 2012 Quick Review
Oct 24, 2012 23:28:13 GMT
Post by HermanC on Oct 24, 2012 23:28:13 GMT
COLD STEEL GIM SWORD (88G)
$250
Purchased online from Kult of Athena
Hello, I'm doing this review as a way of thanking this forum especially those that have done reviews of this same sword for helping me make an informed decision about my purchase. In particular I'd like to dedicate this review to Paul Southren for his amazing review and the fellow forum members that were kind enough to share pictures. I hope this review can help others in the future.
ABOUT ME: I practice Chinese Martial arts, specifically Hung Sing lineage Choy Lee Fut. Although our main weapons are the staff and the Dao sabre, my Sifu also teaches us Tai Chi and Wushu including weapon forms. Until now, all I have ever handled are wushu Jian swords that are very light weight and with very flexible blades to get that distinctive wushu "snap" effect while practicing forms. The Cold Steel Gim is my first "battle ready sword".
FIRST IMPRESSION: The sword came from Kult of Athena in a 6'' X 6'' cardboard box filled with packing peanuts and a smaller 5" X 2" cardboard box inside that contained the actual sword which was wrapped in brown paper and small bubble wrap. Once I opened it all up I was happy to see the distinctive beautiful bronze and wood of the hilt and scabbard.
STATS:
Weight: about 2.2 lb's
Blade Width: 3 centimeters at the guard, 2 centimeters right before the blade tapers to a (very) sharp point.
Blade Length: About 30 inches. (~77centimeters)
Point of Balance: About 10 centimeters from where the blade leaves the guard.
PROS:
* This sword is light and strong. Nothing flimsy about it.
* The balance is great, I was worried it would be overbuilt and blade heavy but it wasn't at all, feels great to handle.
* The ornaments are very attractive and well done, no visible mold lines or tacky imperfections.
* Wood Scabbard and handle look beautiful, brass fittings thick, heavy, and solid.
* Strong sharp blade with just a little flex. No wushu "snap" possible, this blade is meant to be functional.
* Stabbed thru the cardboard box it came in like it wasn't even there, excellent stabbing weapon.
* Very Sharp. It needs a nice polish to get that paper cutting sharp back but I ran it across some pinky finger sized rope and it sliced it easily, effortlessly. I won't be training with this sword when there are people around, scary sharp.
* Snug fitting Scabbard. Blade does not slip out even if turned upside down and moved.
CONS:
* Blade width is a tad thin for what I'm used to, it reminds me of a thick rapier.
* Very faint sound of something rattling in the hilt. Might be just a fleck of wood from the grip.
* The Pommel has an unattractive nut even though it is the same color as the pommel brass, it's just a regular nut.
* Grooves on grip of the Handle could be uncomfortable for Jianshu forms but should be fine for Tai Chi.
* Slight rusting on the inside of the guard, looks superficial and easy to polish out though.
* Something seems off about how one edge of the blade fits into the guard, check the pictures.
* Unlike some other Jians, this one does not have a built in hole for a tassel in the pommel nut so you have to wrap it
around the pommel.
OVERALL:
I'm really happy with this sword and definitely recommend it. I shopped around and found it for $250; at that price this sword and the reputation it has for a strong durable blade are well worth it. For my first "battle ready" sword I don't think I could have done better for that price. It wasn't blade heavy at all like I expected (well it's heavy compared to wushu swords) and the balance it has is great. It cuts (whistles) through the air with even soft swings and I think that with a few months of getting used to the weight it can move as smoothly as a heartier wushu Jian.
$250
Purchased online from Kult of Athena
Hello, I'm doing this review as a way of thanking this forum especially those that have done reviews of this same sword for helping me make an informed decision about my purchase. In particular I'd like to dedicate this review to Paul Southren for his amazing review and the fellow forum members that were kind enough to share pictures. I hope this review can help others in the future.
ABOUT ME: I practice Chinese Martial arts, specifically Hung Sing lineage Choy Lee Fut. Although our main weapons are the staff and the Dao sabre, my Sifu also teaches us Tai Chi and Wushu including weapon forms. Until now, all I have ever handled are wushu Jian swords that are very light weight and with very flexible blades to get that distinctive wushu "snap" effect while practicing forms. The Cold Steel Gim is my first "battle ready sword".
FIRST IMPRESSION: The sword came from Kult of Athena in a 6'' X 6'' cardboard box filled with packing peanuts and a smaller 5" X 2" cardboard box inside that contained the actual sword which was wrapped in brown paper and small bubble wrap. Once I opened it all up I was happy to see the distinctive beautiful bronze and wood of the hilt and scabbard.
STATS:
Weight: about 2.2 lb's
Blade Width: 3 centimeters at the guard, 2 centimeters right before the blade tapers to a (very) sharp point.
Blade Length: About 30 inches. (~77centimeters)
Point of Balance: About 10 centimeters from where the blade leaves the guard.
PROS:
* This sword is light and strong. Nothing flimsy about it.
* The balance is great, I was worried it would be overbuilt and blade heavy but it wasn't at all, feels great to handle.
* The ornaments are very attractive and well done, no visible mold lines or tacky imperfections.
* Wood Scabbard and handle look beautiful, brass fittings thick, heavy, and solid.
* Strong sharp blade with just a little flex. No wushu "snap" possible, this blade is meant to be functional.
* Stabbed thru the cardboard box it came in like it wasn't even there, excellent stabbing weapon.
* Very Sharp. It needs a nice polish to get that paper cutting sharp back but I ran it across some pinky finger sized rope and it sliced it easily, effortlessly. I won't be training with this sword when there are people around, scary sharp.
* Snug fitting Scabbard. Blade does not slip out even if turned upside down and moved.
CONS:
* Blade width is a tad thin for what I'm used to, it reminds me of a thick rapier.
* Very faint sound of something rattling in the hilt. Might be just a fleck of wood from the grip.
* The Pommel has an unattractive nut even though it is the same color as the pommel brass, it's just a regular nut.
* Grooves on grip of the Handle could be uncomfortable for Jianshu forms but should be fine for Tai Chi.
* Slight rusting on the inside of the guard, looks superficial and easy to polish out though.
* Something seems off about how one edge of the blade fits into the guard, check the pictures.
* Unlike some other Jians, this one does not have a built in hole for a tassel in the pommel nut so you have to wrap it
around the pommel.
OVERALL:
I'm really happy with this sword and definitely recommend it. I shopped around and found it for $250; at that price this sword and the reputation it has for a strong durable blade are well worth it. For my first "battle ready" sword I don't think I could have done better for that price. It wasn't blade heavy at all like I expected (well it's heavy compared to wushu swords) and the balance it has is great. It cuts (whistles) through the air with even soft swings and I think that with a few months of getting used to the weight it can move as smoothly as a heartier wushu Jian.