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Post by Rafael on Dec 10, 2012 12:06:24 GMT
Good question, that one is pretty nice looking. I wanted him to do an octahedral blade In those fittings instead of the purely aesthetic han Jian fittings. Currently Garrett is only making the tang Jian and han jian, which to him means only those two styles of fittings. Said something about narrowing his focus 'for now'. And no, you can't send him your own fittings to use. I already thought of and asked about that. He said he has tried mixing and matching and that it 'doesn't work'.
I would also just point out that neither his Han jian nor the tang jian have anything remotely approaching purely utilitarian or peasant fittings. I suppose it's possible that if he ever does start making the oxtail, he might put basic utilitarian fittings on it since after all it was supposedly always a peasants' or commoners' militia sword, never used by the military. I think that his picture for the oxtail probably only has the bare-bones fittings is because it is a prototype, not a finished product design.
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Post by Turok on Dec 11, 2012 0:10:21 GMT
I'm a little confused or maybe I missed something. Is Garrett only making customs or is he planning to do production? Years ago JinShi made several production Qing jian, the 2nd thing I regret never buying :cry: ! Then the production dao was cancelled and the company went straight to doing customs only...so is Garrett trying to go back to production now?
Also Gundoggy, I remember you mentioned about the antique dao in a post a while back. Did it have an original scabbard? I never saw an original nuiweidao scabbard before. I like the antique look and I just hope the Jinshi reproduction includes a functional scabbard, unlike Hanwei's!
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Post by Rafael on Dec 11, 2012 0:19:54 GMT
He told me "it's not full custom swords just minor changes like making a little longer or shorter". I also asked about making the blade wider, but that was not possible either. From what I understand, he used to do full custom swords, but is now focused on making length modifications, different wrap colors for handle, Choice of steels for blade, and other options like octahedral blade (han only), or folding + DH. interestingly, it is not possible to specify only DH, or only folded steel. It's both together or not at all. Still has reputation for very good quality control. I'm planning to order one as soon as I figure out what to get engraved on it.. Oh yes, engraving of Chinese characters is also offered  |
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Post by Turok on Dec 11, 2012 0:38:33 GMT
well hopefully we'll see it by next year! I checked SMG and does Jinshi manufacture their own blades or is it sent from another forge in China? To tell you the truth, I don't know much else about Jinshi other than their tang and han swords!
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Post by etiennehamel on Dec 11, 2012 0:48:10 GMT
if only scott rodell has designed a dao... my choice would be very easy since the jian he design is very tempting too... might consider it if i can't find a nice dao in stock.
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Post by Turok on Dec 11, 2012 1:12:21 GMT
I know right? I guess you got to just wait and see what happens next year. If we're lucky we might hear news about next year's lineup!
In my previous thread, I was considering making a petition or something to Hanwei. Blake, the representative of Hanwei has already responded and I don't want to be rude though by pressuring him or his company. Anyway by next year, Cold Steel and Dynasty Forge will have more stuff and Jinshi might have the ox-tail. If the world doesn't end soon (stupid armageddon :lol: ) we'll probably have more choices by then!
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Post by Gundoggy on Dec 11, 2012 1:33:16 GMT
I'm not too sure about the Fei Long fittings. www.chinahistoryforum.com/index. ... se-swords/ This book isn't too bad, but I've been told a few pieces in there are fakes. Regarding Oxtail sabers, the antique did have a wire wrapped scabbard, but it was falling apart so it was discarded during the restoration process. I have seen a few examples which have brass fittings, and were either plain wood or leather wrapped. It's interesting that even though the scabbard may have had brass fittings, the sword fittings were often iron. The Jinshi Oxtail fittings are plain iron...just like my antique. Regarding Cold Steel being 'overbuilt'....maybe. One thing in my discussions with Scott Rodell is that often antiques have been repolished to repair nicks...over time multiple polishes can change contour and weight distribution. You may also find that a 'heavy sword'...2.5lbs + may be just fine for forms but in freeplay may really pull on your wrist tendons. That's why freeplay is important...it offers an aspect on sword handling that forms practice doesn't. Just like empty hand sparring shows you the reality of the technique in an uncontrolled situation vs. empty hand forms so does swordplay. |
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