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Post by THE_SUPERWEIRDO on Nov 25, 2013 3:08:58 GMT
I'm always on a hunt for a cheap Han Dynasty style Jian to be added on my collection. My first choice was originally the ones from SwordNArmory, but they've been out of stock for a while (Probably permanent too...) I also scan through eBay and recently I found some that look somewhat appealing. Here's some examples: www.ebay.com/itm/Han-jian-Chines ... 20ce72dcf4 www.ebay.com/itm/Chinese-Han-dyn ... 3cd7dd0903 Both are around $100, which is mainly why I'm attracted to these. But that's basically it... I'm mostly concerned whether or not they're full tang construction, I'd rather have bad steel than a sword with a decent hard edge flying out of my handle. :oops: And mostly to the fact that I assume non of you guys has heard of these sellers... So the overall quality control is also questionable. So what do you guys think about these? Are these at least worth on gambling on to find if they're decent or not? :? I know that a quality Jian under $100 is unheard of, but to me, if it's full tang, heat treated, and can cut light targets, I guess that's "quality" to me :mrgreen: |
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Post by chrisperoni on Nov 25, 2013 5:31:51 GMT
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Post by THE_SUPERWEIRDO on Nov 25, 2013 23:00:50 GMT
It may sound strange... But that looks reasonably good for me to have :mrgreen: Somewhat... :? I just hoped that the tang is sturdy enough for impacts with light cutting, obviously not with abuse... However, what price did that sword cost you? (Or what the first owner cost them?) Might help correlate to what I'm looking into. And is the sword actually carbon steel? Interesting to point out that I watched your vid on the inspection of you Han Dynasty Jian prior to posting this thread :lol: I also read the thread on your DIY project of it (And I have to say, such a beautiful sword, it would be so awesome if it was functional) But I haven't read the second thread you made, so thanks for more reference points It seems like my hunt for reasonably priced Han Jian Sword seems to continue, unless SwordNArmory decides to stock on their Han Jians...  Seems like the only known quality ones are over $300 from Jin Shi :oops: Edit: This shows a bit more promise: www.ebay.com/itm/Hand-Forged-Spr ... 56575f3cc7 Actually has a video test, but the color scheme... It's a bit meh, I have to admit, but in terms of functionality, it looks decent for the price (Which is slightly higher than what I'm willing to spent but according to the seller, it's made of 9260 steel?) And there's always customization :mrgreen: The hilt just looks strange with the thick cord... |
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Post by Arwyn on Nov 26, 2013 16:04:48 GMT
The bigger issue with Han Jian remains the handle. The vast majority of all production Han style jian have a hollow grip, and a nut assembly holding it all together. There are very serious concerns that that kind of assembly will not hold up to any real use.
There is a large thread talking about Sinosword and Jin Shi specifically for being the only ones known to do the handles securely. If your willing to do a bit of rework, this might be a good deal. If you pay for that work, you will be back into the $300 range.
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Post by THE_SUPERWEIRDO on Nov 28, 2013 4:53:20 GMT
So basically, I have to regrip the handle? That doesn't sound too bad... Despite me having zero experience on carving and fitting a new handle :? And time for me to learn how to wrap Chinese handles :mrgreen:
Finding proper lumber is also a problem cause I have no idea what to look for (And it's probably going to be online, which I think is insufficient if I can get the same wood from like Menards or Home Depot...)
And it's a tad bit too late... I'm waiting for a Jian around December :oops: I hope it's not a mistake
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Post by Timo Nieminen on Nov 29, 2013 0:19:26 GMT
You don't have to make the new grip round. At least some historical examples had oval, not round, grips.
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Post by ineffableone on Nov 29, 2013 2:36:49 GMT
Yep pretty much any Han Jian except those mentioned above you will likely see a hollow cylinder handle. So expect that and if you get one that isn't be very happy and please review it so folks will know another place selling decent Han jian
Katana1980 is a known vendor and while not up in reputation like ST or huawei but they are at least not unknown. Note that the listing says
"Customization (free):
You can choose one of the wraps here to replace the original white cord." so if you don't like the white, you can ask for a different color you do like.
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Post by ineffableone on Nov 29, 2013 2:52:38 GMT
So here is the thread warning about hollow Han Jian handles. /thread/31358These are not for the typical Han jian wrap, but the other style used on other jian. But it is at least a starting place for wrap techniques if you opt for the oval handle. Here is a Chinese Handle wrap tutorial I got permission to repost onto SBG from SFI /thread/18764I think not too long ago someone else posted another Chinese wrap tutorial but it is the same one that is linked at the end (page 3) of the thread I started linked above. So you can access it by just checking out the link at the end of that thread. |
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Post by xingfenzhen on Nov 29, 2013 2:54:10 GMT
This is a recently unearthed example, though technically a Chu Jian... It's currently in Hunan Providential Museum. note the tang and pommel, this is what a real Han Jian should be like tieba.baidu.com/p/2725040143 |
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Post by THE_SUPERWEIRDO on Nov 30, 2013 23:55:12 GMT
Thanks so much for all the responses! Didn't knew the vendor I had was somewhat well known in the community. Knowing that it kinda is helped lower my worries of my purchase. And it seems that many of you are recommending me to make a grip for it that is oval shaped. Didn't even mention that thought and now I think that would be a good idea :mrgreen: I think a completely round handle would be a bit difficult for edge alignment. If the handle is hollow, I hope that the construction of the blade and the tang would be functional to hold light cuts. $200 is at stake here. :oops: (A $200 functional sword or a $200 wall hanger...) Also, I did request to change the color to black  The wrapping tutorial is very helpful  Though I don't know if that's exactly the one for a Han Jian, but still looks pretty neat. I just need to find cording that would be the same found in Jian swords while I practice with paracord I guess.... Lastly, a review is highly likely for this sword, whether or not it's a dud or not  |
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Seems like the only known quality ones are over $300 from Jin Shi :oops: 
Though I don't know if that's exactly the one for a Han Jian, but still looks pretty neat. I just need to find cording that would be the same found in Jian swords while I practice with paracord I guess....
