Cold Steel Jade Lion Gim with GREAT photos

(edited: said S before, meant 2)
I forgot to explain that Cold Steel marks their seconds with an 2 someplace on handle and someplace on the scabbard. they dont say exactly where it is or if its always in the same place (its probably not), but they give the impression that its done in some way that is difficult or impossible to remove without leaving behind somewhat obvious signs.

"All of our Sword Seconds are permanently marked with a numeral "2" somewhere on the handle and the scabbard. We have, in the past, had customers purchase a Cold Steel second and then try to re-sell it online or at a swap meet for top dollar as a first. With a "2" etched on the handle and the scabbard, these swords are forever designated as seconds no matter how many times they are re-sold."

The messed up thing tho is that there could be people out there buying regular CS stuff from KOA for a good price, and then buying factory second version of same item from CS for $100. then, they could take the factory second blade out of the fittings with the 2 mark and swap it with the high quality blade. So they end up with a perfect blade in that they can either put in custom/other fittings and or use in the fittings marked 2. While meanwhile you buy a CS gim for 50$ less than what KoA charges, thinking you got a sweet deal, and you end up with a factory second blade hiding in pristine fittings. Factory second stuff from CS varies widely as far as what is wrong with it. having a cracked scabbard makes it slightly cheaper, having serious problems like issues with the blade like pits and dings (maybe its softer from bad quench?) or has been bent or is otherwise craptastic in some way makes them uber cheap. they have differerent grades of seconds.

www.coldsteel.com/Sword-Seconds.aspx
from their site:
"a level "C" sword might have ... rust or pitting on the blade. However, these shortcomings also make them very inexpensive in price, and they can be purchased as practice swords. Kind of like the automobiles driven around in demolition derbies. For example, say you purchased a first quality Katana, and you want to hack through a couple of dozen watermelons to show your friends. You could, of course do it with your first quality Katana, and get sticky watermelon juice, seeds, and bits all over it in the process and spend hours cleaning it. Or you could use a "C" level Katana Second, which will have the same heft and feel of the first quality Katana, but because you did not pay a lot of money for it you won't feel intimidated to use it on the watermelons. "

So gotta buy from someplace that has proven track record. CS stuff off ebay would be risky. Anything else, regardless of where you got it, they will repair for you. The only difference between having a CS sword you bought or found someplace other than their site is that they wont give you money back for it.

"We stand behind our knives and swords 100%. We subject them to the highest standards in the industry and strive to make each as perfect as possible. We warrant that our folding knives, fixed blade sheath knives, and swords are free from defects in workmanship and materials.
f you are dissatisfied with merchandise obtains from OUR site, simply return within 30 days for a refund. (Items should be returned in the condition received). This money back guarantee applies only to items purchased directly from Cold Steel, Inc. Items purchased from other sources will be repaired or replaced if defective.

if you feel the need to scour the internet for improbable deals on CS swords, you might want to check out their page here that covers tips on how to avoid outright counterfeit CS swords. Also includes a list of known sites they dont reccomend buying from
www.coldsteel.com/Counterfeits.aspx