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Post by William Swiger on Oct 25, 2013 11:33:26 GMT
I bought this sword directly from Kris Cutlery and received it yesterday. This was a regular and not scratch and dent purchase.
When I unpacked the sword I noticed the tsuba was slightly loose. I did a few dry swings and noticed the tang was clanking/moving in the permanent assembly grip.
I figured I might be able to expoxy the grip by removing the end cap and filling it that way. After removing the end cap, it was solid expoxy. I tried to put a small hole into the grip from the end but the grip started to crack.
Went ahead and removed the grip in sections as I felt it was unsafe to be functional anyway.
What I found was a hollow space on each side of the tang except the end by the end cap and right behind the tsuba. It appears they really only heavily glue the end of the grip. This leaves a gap all around the tang for the majority of the grip. Tang is also not as long as the grip by about an 1 1/2 or so.
So - am out a little under 200 bucks. Blade is nice though and debating if I will ask one of our knife makers to drill a couple more holes and regrip it knife style or toss it.
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Sean (Shadowhowler)
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No matter where you go, there you are.
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Oct 25, 2013 11:40:46 GMT
That is a huge bummer... sounds like one of those hollow plastic grips like Hanwei uses on their rapiers and side sword. If you have not messed with it too much, you might consider contacting Kris Cutlery about it. In my dealings with them they have always been extra helpful, I've had to exchange something twice I think.
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Post by William Swiger on Oct 25, 2013 11:54:12 GMT
I know KC would have taken care of me but curiosity killed the cat to see what the problem was. Might send it to Driggers if he will remount the grip knife style. Blade is decent though.
I had one of their previous model Korean swords and the tang only went 1/2 way in the grip. I cut the grip and made a wicked 1-handed sword out of it. Thought this one would be the same set-up on the grip.
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Post by Bryan Heff on Oct 25, 2013 11:58:40 GMT
Always sucks to see just bad construction like that. I guess I shouldn't be surprised but everytime I hear stories like this I still am. What are they thinking when they attach a handle, to a sharpened piece of steel, that is meant to be swung around....and it's not structurally sound? That's crazy.
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Post by William Swiger on Oct 25, 2013 12:07:43 GMT
Don't think the sword would have failed but the movement in the grip did not give me a warm fuzzy. They should have just used expoxy on the whole grip and I would have never noticed.
Not bashing KC with this at all. Just wanted to make other buyers aware of the construction of the grip which might need addressed if you purchase this model.
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Post by Robert in California on Oct 25, 2013 14:25:21 GMT
Sorry for that Mr. S! Budget swords makers too often cut corners. And go with the "Out of sight, out of mind" rule. RinC
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Sean (Shadowhowler)
VIP Reviewer
Retired Moderator
No matter where you go, there you are.
Posts: 8,827
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Oct 25, 2013 20:38:25 GMT
Indeed... the VAST majority of the buying public will never disassemble a sword or even have a clue was to how its constructed or what might be wrong with one. That being the case, I think most budget sellers do cut corners from time to time... tho it is a shame.
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Post by Lord Cobol on Oct 26, 2013 1:10:10 GMT
Sad hear it. My Korean Sword IIIb was nice, but of course it cost more and was made in a different country and I didn't disassemble the handle. But nothing rattles.
Very eager to hear anything, good or bad, about the KC's new made-in-China lines, because I might be a future customer.
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Post by madmandom on Feb 18, 2014 13:11:41 GMT
Does anyone else have any experience with these swords, I'm thinking of getting one and hope that they are not the same thing. Thanks in advance for any feedback.
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Post by madmandom on Feb 20, 2014 9:53:32 GMT
Turns out that they won't ship downunder because of the length. Everywhere else wants too much for shipping .ah well. Another that got away
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Post by madmandom on Mar 4, 2014 4:38:06 GMT
Update kris cutlery sent me an e-mail letting me know that they can shorten handle by an inch at no cost to me and send one out . Will let you know when it arrives.
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Post by madmandom on Mar 13, 2014 23:02:22 GMT
Sword has arrived and everything is A ok extremely happy with sword and kris cutlery were very helpful and easy to deal with
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