Two Handed Dao from Jkoo Sword/sinosword.com
Nov 29, 2013 21:30:37 GMT
Post by FoxKhan on Nov 29, 2013 21:30:37 GMT
Hello everyone,
This is an account of my experience with Jkoo Sword/sinosword.com and also a review of my Two Handed Dao made by this manufacturer.
Early this year I have wrote a couple of e-mails to different sword manufacturers in China, asking if they would be willing to make a custom dao for me. Some of them replied and after a short discussion I took Jkoo up on their offer.
What I wanted:
A heavy duty cutter, made out of T10 High Speed Tool Steel and clay tempered.
Dimensions:
Overall length without scabbard: ~ 95 cm (37,5”)
Blade length: ~ 70 cm (27,5”)
Handle length: ~ 24 – 25 cm (9,5”)
Contact person:
Mr. Van Yang
Budget:
Around 350 dollars for the sword, 400 dollars including shipping and taxes. I was in no hurry to receive the sword, so I told Mr. Van Yang that they can take all the time they need for making it. I provided detailed specs and pictures of different swords that I liked.
Time span:
Construction started in late March (around March 25). It was finished in late May (May 21) but I have spotted a couple of problems and it took Jkoo one more week to fix (some of) them. The sword was shipped on May 28 and arrived to me on June 19.
The costs:
The sword was US$ 248 + SAL shipping US$ 34. Fixing most of the problems I had with it cost me another 50 dollars (approximately) and a little bit over 40 hours of work. So, the total cost was around 340 dollars.
The story:
Right from the beginning I had concerns about the quality Jkoo Sword could provide. As you will see, my concerns were well justified. To all of them Mr. Yang replied promptly and politely, assuring me that his company will do a good job. Here is just one example:
“Mar 15
Hi Stefan
please don't worry much about blade quality, We can make strong blade for cutting practice.
Thanks
________________________________________
Van Yang”
However good was the interaction with Mr. Van Yang, time proved that he was like a good hostess at a hotel were the sheets are dirty, you have no hot water and it's raining through the rough.
After almost two months, my sword was completed and I received the first pictures from Mr. Yang.
Unfortunately, there were a couple of problems with it:
The first one, the narrow groove was too long and not in alignment with the tip of the sword.
The second one, the fittings looked bad, especially the rain guard. Initially I wanted them changed but Mr. Yang convinced me that they just needed polishing.
The third one, there were minor scratches on the blade. Mr. Yang assured me that they were already removed by the time I received the pictures: “Please ignore the scratch on the blade, I have asked smith to remove it.” They are still there today.
A week later the fittings were polished, the groove redone, the fittings mounted back on the sword and scabbard and I received new pictures.
Everything looked OK so I asked Mr. Yang one last time to make sure that everything was OK and then ship the sword to me.
I received the sword almost a month later. To my complete disappointment it came with a lot of problems.
The scabbard was cracked on both sides and the fittings were loose. The blade was moving a little in the handle. The pommel was coming of. The blade showed small rust spots. The tang was thinner than I expected.
After a few e-mail exchanges with Mr. Yang, we agreed that I will receive a new scabbard as soon as possible, while I will try to solve all the other problems. Mr. Yang explained to me that all this problems were due to shipping conditions.
So, I took the sword apart, re-polished it to get rid of the rust, fixed everything that needed fixing and put it back together.
Test cutting followed. My cutting technique is not exactly that of an expert, so I used only plastic bottles filled with water. After only a few cuts I noticed that the blade had bent, the back of the sword was too soft. So soft that it was pretty easy for me to make it strait again. As it was explained to me later, the heat treatment hadn't been properly done.
I wrote back to Mr. Yang telling him about it, he replied that it is not possible for one of their swords to bend in such conditions. Afterwards, he offered me a partial refund which I refused. I wanted a good sword, not money.
“We rather to refund some cost to you and stop delivery the new scabbard. I don't know how many problems will keep happening in the future.”
A few days later a friend of mine managed to bend the tip of the sword just a little. While trying to straighten it, the tip broke. It snapped almost as easily as a twig. I offered to return the sword to Jkoo for that they could look into what they have done wrong.
To end the story, here is our last e-mail exchange:
“Hi Stefan
We had so many times talked about this swords, I'm also very disappointed to see the result.
Last time, I told you we rather to refund you and don't ship the remade scabbard, but you refused and then the blade broken.
We supply thousands of forged blade to worldwide every year, I can't say all of our blade are prefect, but we never see blade broken like you encountered.
It is hard to explain right now for the happened. maybe the blade had the problem when do heat treated.
We can make a new bare blade for you by price US$100 with shipping cost by EMS if you need. Our blade is not bad, EMS shipping cost at least US$65.
But can you assemble it by yourself ? and if you like, We also can do some refund for your lost.
We won't get back this blade, it is hard to return back right now because of strict safety inspection in this season.
________________________________________
Van Yang”
Hello Mr. Van Yang,
I was reading some of my e-mails towards you written during the making process of my sword. Many of them started or ended with the words „Please make sure”...
Attached you can see pictures of my sword taken today. I have „fixed” the broken tip, sanded the new scabbard to fit the sword and glued the fittings. For the first time the sword at least looks good.
These are the problems I had with my sword since it arrived:
- cracked scabbard that was also unglued;
- unglued or poorly glued scabbard fittings and pommel;
- blade loose, moving in the handle;
- incipient rust all over the blade;
- broken tip;
- worst off all, a poorly heated blade that is to soft and bends even on light cutting exercises.
What I have done:
- tried to fix the cracked scabbard by re-gluing it. It was to badly cracked and very brittle. You've sent me a new one for free. It wasn't black as I initially requested, but I am happy with the color. The problem with it was it did not fit the blade or the fittings. So I had to sand it both on the interior and outside and than glue the fittings to it. Work hours - 6 hours. Cost - 15 dollars.
- fixed the inside of the handle and re-glued the pommel. Work hours - 5 hours. Cost - 10 dollars.
- I have cleared the rust of the blade using different polishing agents and cloth. Work hours - 14. Cost 18 dollars.
- I have created a new tip for the sword using water stone, sandpaper and polish. Work hour 14. Cost 10 dollars.
- I have straightened the blade more than once. For this I had to buy C-clamps. Work hours - 2. Cost 12 dollars. It is not completely straight right now, but satisfactory. While working on the tip, I've really had the chance to see how soft the metal really is, especially on the front part of the blade. Also, I could see from the broken tip that the metal is porous, indicating what I thought and what was confirmed by a local hunting knife maker - bad tempering.
I have to mention that I did all this by myself. Total work hours on the blade - approximately 42 hours. Total cost - approximately 53 dollars.
The good part is I've gained a lot of experience and that I feel like I've earned the sword.
So, here is the deal I propose to you. I do not want nothing now, not money, not a new blade, and I will not invest any more money in this sword. I will continue to use the sword for light and medium cutting exercises. If in 3 months form now it does not brake, our deal is done. If it does beyond my capacity of fixing it, I will ask either for a full refund, or for a completely new sword. Of course, you have no obligation to accept such a deal which I find more than fair and honorable.
Even if it does not break and our deal ends, Mr. Yang, in this life or the next, you owe me a good sword, as you promised me in the beginning.
Yours,
Stefan”
The sword:
This is how the dao looks today. It has been 4 months since my last discussion with Mr. Yang and I’m still doing practice cuts with it but only on light targets. The blade was never completely straight since it first bent and from time to time I have to straighten it. Also, the new scabbard is a little bent to the right.
The good:
- it is pretty well balanced;
- the edge is tough enough for cutting practice;
- the materials used are of good quality for this price range, especially the cooper fittings.
The bad:
- the back of the blade is too soft and bends easily;
- the handle is secured to the blade by nut and screw. The pommel is glued over. This is a stupid method to put a sword together. I would never buy a sword constructed this way again;
- it is a bit to heavy in comparison to other swords of same size;
- the rain guard is of a different design than the rest of the fittings;
- the scabbard is a little bent to the right.
My rating (considering this price range):
2 stars out of 5
This is an account of my experience with Jkoo Sword/sinosword.com and also a review of my Two Handed Dao made by this manufacturer.
Early this year I have wrote a couple of e-mails to different sword manufacturers in China, asking if they would be willing to make a custom dao for me. Some of them replied and after a short discussion I took Jkoo up on their offer.
What I wanted:
A heavy duty cutter, made out of T10 High Speed Tool Steel and clay tempered.
Dimensions:
Overall length without scabbard: ~ 95 cm (37,5”)
Blade length: ~ 70 cm (27,5”)
Handle length: ~ 24 – 25 cm (9,5”)
Contact person:
Mr. Van Yang
Budget:
Around 350 dollars for the sword, 400 dollars including shipping and taxes. I was in no hurry to receive the sword, so I told Mr. Van Yang that they can take all the time they need for making it. I provided detailed specs and pictures of different swords that I liked.
Time span:
Construction started in late March (around March 25). It was finished in late May (May 21) but I have spotted a couple of problems and it took Jkoo one more week to fix (some of) them. The sword was shipped on May 28 and arrived to me on June 19.
The costs:
The sword was US$ 248 + SAL shipping US$ 34. Fixing most of the problems I had with it cost me another 50 dollars (approximately) and a little bit over 40 hours of work. So, the total cost was around 340 dollars.
The story:
Right from the beginning I had concerns about the quality Jkoo Sword could provide. As you will see, my concerns were well justified. To all of them Mr. Yang replied promptly and politely, assuring me that his company will do a good job. Here is just one example:
“Mar 15
Hi Stefan
please don't worry much about blade quality, We can make strong blade for cutting practice.
Thanks
________________________________________
Van Yang”
However good was the interaction with Mr. Van Yang, time proved that he was like a good hostess at a hotel were the sheets are dirty, you have no hot water and it's raining through the rough.
After almost two months, my sword was completed and I received the first pictures from Mr. Yang.
Unfortunately, there were a couple of problems with it:
The first one, the narrow groove was too long and not in alignment with the tip of the sword.
The second one, the fittings looked bad, especially the rain guard. Initially I wanted them changed but Mr. Yang convinced me that they just needed polishing.
The third one, there were minor scratches on the blade. Mr. Yang assured me that they were already removed by the time I received the pictures: “Please ignore the scratch on the blade, I have asked smith to remove it.” They are still there today.
A week later the fittings were polished, the groove redone, the fittings mounted back on the sword and scabbard and I received new pictures.
Everything looked OK so I asked Mr. Yang one last time to make sure that everything was OK and then ship the sword to me.
I received the sword almost a month later. To my complete disappointment it came with a lot of problems.
The scabbard was cracked on both sides and the fittings were loose. The blade was moving a little in the handle. The pommel was coming of. The blade showed small rust spots. The tang was thinner than I expected.
After a few e-mail exchanges with Mr. Yang, we agreed that I will receive a new scabbard as soon as possible, while I will try to solve all the other problems. Mr. Yang explained to me that all this problems were due to shipping conditions.
So, I took the sword apart, re-polished it to get rid of the rust, fixed everything that needed fixing and put it back together.
Test cutting followed. My cutting technique is not exactly that of an expert, so I used only plastic bottles filled with water. After only a few cuts I noticed that the blade had bent, the back of the sword was too soft. So soft that it was pretty easy for me to make it strait again. As it was explained to me later, the heat treatment hadn't been properly done.
I wrote back to Mr. Yang telling him about it, he replied that it is not possible for one of their swords to bend in such conditions. Afterwards, he offered me a partial refund which I refused. I wanted a good sword, not money.
“We rather to refund some cost to you and stop delivery the new scabbard. I don't know how many problems will keep happening in the future.”
A few days later a friend of mine managed to bend the tip of the sword just a little. While trying to straighten it, the tip broke. It snapped almost as easily as a twig. I offered to return the sword to Jkoo for that they could look into what they have done wrong.
To end the story, here is our last e-mail exchange:
“Hi Stefan
We had so many times talked about this swords, I'm also very disappointed to see the result.
Last time, I told you we rather to refund you and don't ship the remade scabbard, but you refused and then the blade broken.
We supply thousands of forged blade to worldwide every year, I can't say all of our blade are prefect, but we never see blade broken like you encountered.
It is hard to explain right now for the happened. maybe the blade had the problem when do heat treated.
We can make a new bare blade for you by price US$100 with shipping cost by EMS if you need. Our blade is not bad, EMS shipping cost at least US$65.
But can you assemble it by yourself ? and if you like, We also can do some refund for your lost.
We won't get back this blade, it is hard to return back right now because of strict safety inspection in this season.
________________________________________
Van Yang”
Hello Mr. Van Yang,
I was reading some of my e-mails towards you written during the making process of my sword. Many of them started or ended with the words „Please make sure”...
Attached you can see pictures of my sword taken today. I have „fixed” the broken tip, sanded the new scabbard to fit the sword and glued the fittings. For the first time the sword at least looks good.
These are the problems I had with my sword since it arrived:
- cracked scabbard that was also unglued;
- unglued or poorly glued scabbard fittings and pommel;
- blade loose, moving in the handle;
- incipient rust all over the blade;
- broken tip;
- worst off all, a poorly heated blade that is to soft and bends even on light cutting exercises.
What I have done:
- tried to fix the cracked scabbard by re-gluing it. It was to badly cracked and very brittle. You've sent me a new one for free. It wasn't black as I initially requested, but I am happy with the color. The problem with it was it did not fit the blade or the fittings. So I had to sand it both on the interior and outside and than glue the fittings to it. Work hours - 6 hours. Cost - 15 dollars.
- fixed the inside of the handle and re-glued the pommel. Work hours - 5 hours. Cost - 10 dollars.
- I have cleared the rust of the blade using different polishing agents and cloth. Work hours - 14. Cost 18 dollars.
- I have created a new tip for the sword using water stone, sandpaper and polish. Work hour 14. Cost 10 dollars.
- I have straightened the blade more than once. For this I had to buy C-clamps. Work hours - 2. Cost 12 dollars. It is not completely straight right now, but satisfactory. While working on the tip, I've really had the chance to see how soft the metal really is, especially on the front part of the blade. Also, I could see from the broken tip that the metal is porous, indicating what I thought and what was confirmed by a local hunting knife maker - bad tempering.
I have to mention that I did all this by myself. Total work hours on the blade - approximately 42 hours. Total cost - approximately 53 dollars.
The good part is I've gained a lot of experience and that I feel like I've earned the sword.
So, here is the deal I propose to you. I do not want nothing now, not money, not a new blade, and I will not invest any more money in this sword. I will continue to use the sword for light and medium cutting exercises. If in 3 months form now it does not brake, our deal is done. If it does beyond my capacity of fixing it, I will ask either for a full refund, or for a completely new sword. Of course, you have no obligation to accept such a deal which I find more than fair and honorable.
Even if it does not break and our deal ends, Mr. Yang, in this life or the next, you owe me a good sword, as you promised me in the beginning.
Yours,
Stefan”
The sword:
This is how the dao looks today. It has been 4 months since my last discussion with Mr. Yang and I’m still doing practice cuts with it but only on light targets. The blade was never completely straight since it first bent and from time to time I have to straighten it. Also, the new scabbard is a little bent to the right.
The good:
- it is pretty well balanced;
- the edge is tough enough for cutting practice;
- the materials used are of good quality for this price range, especially the cooper fittings.
The bad:
- the back of the blade is too soft and bends easily;
- the handle is secured to the blade by nut and screw. The pommel is glued over. This is a stupid method to put a sword together. I would never buy a sword constructed this way again;
- it is a bit to heavy in comparison to other swords of same size;
- the rain guard is of a different design than the rest of the fittings;
- the scabbard is a little bent to the right.
My rating (considering this price range):
2 stars out of 5