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Post by Jayhawk on Jun 18, 2015 0:18:22 GMT
Alright, I'm about to make a purchase. Based upon the holding the sword in reverse grip at my side to the bottom/mid part of my ear, the traditional wisdom says 5'8" me should have a 28" blade. That'll make the sword a tad lighter anyway, so I'm good with that. First off, I am right on the sword length issue? I also thought since I'd be doing some of this indoors...shorter might be safer for my old house and the junk in it. LOL. Qing Emporer SwordTwo Tone Emporer SwordDragon SwordTwo Tone Dragon SwordSo when you vote, let me know your thoughts. For example, I like the guard on the two dragon swords (design), but I'm not sure the copper finish is very traditional on the plain one and can't figure out what's up with the sword blade etching/finish on the two tone dragon model. OK...please participate...voting is fun and you'll be done with my plethora of posts on Jians. I did call the shop...all are from the Sheng Forge, are tempered, should sharpen nicely (in my opinion as least - tempering to a satin finish matches my Condor Dadao which sharpens oh so nicely), and they confirmed full tang with two nuts holding the hilt together (one with washer beneath the end bit). They described them as tough, well built swords made for normal martial arts forms and practice, which usually means light cutting as well. Thanks, Eric |
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Post by chrisperoni on Jun 18, 2015 0:25:03 GMT
Recopy the links into your post - they're hard to copy out of the votes section and can't just be clicked  |
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Post by Jayhawk on Jun 18, 2015 0:33:59 GMT
Sorry about that...I couldn't get the links to work in the voting, so links are below and the vote above. Hopefully that will work!
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Post by chrisperoni on Jun 18, 2015 0:39:48 GMT
I think they're all the same sword more or less. I think the fittings being described as "cast brass" or "bi-metal" are all just other ways of saying pot metal. Saying they are 'solid' just means they are not hollow cast; I don't think it means solid in the sense of 'tough'. So it comes down to looks for me and I like the qing emporer - number 1
(Edit/correction- removed term zinc alloy as it's misleading)
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Post by Jayhawk on Jun 18, 2015 0:49:03 GMT
I think they're all the same sword more or less. I think the fittings being described as "cast brass" or "bi-metal" are all just other ways of saying zinc alloy a.k.a. pot metal. Saying they are 'solid' just means they are not hollow cast; I don't think it means solid in the sense of 'tough'. So it comes down to looks for me and I like the qing emporer - number 1 I had that feeling, too, about them all being pot metal of some sort, but that's fine with me at this price point! Vote man...ye didna' vote in the poll itself! |
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Post by chrisperoni on Jun 18, 2015 1:02:56 GMT
Fixed. Must have reloaded the page before saving my vote.
Yeah, as long as you know what you're getting it's fine. When you get it spend the extra 10$ to get a decent epoxy such as jb weld or lepage marine epoxy for filling the grip. I think this came up already in your other posts buy I don't know if specific brands of glue were mentioned. Avoid fast curing epoxy as it tends to be more brittle.
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Post by ineffableone on Jun 18, 2015 1:25:20 GMT
I think they're all the same sword more or less. I think the fittings being described as "cast brass" or "bi-metal" are all just other ways of saying pot metal. Saying they are 'solid' just means they are not hollow cast; I don't think it means solid in the sense of 'tough'. So it comes down to looks for me and I like the qing emporer - number 1 (Edit/correction- removed term zinc alloy as it's misleading) Yep the difference seems just cosmetic, the general sword and fittings are the same in each choice. So I voted for the dragon one, cuz I like dragons.  |
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Sean (Shadowhowler)
VIP Reviewer
Retired Moderator
No matter where you go, there you are.
Posts: 8,828
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Jun 18, 2015 1:25:50 GMT
Dragon sword looks bad ass.
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Post by Timo Nieminen on Jun 18, 2015 3:14:07 GMT
Note the difference in weights. The last two swords look like a wider blade, which would explain the extra 1/2 lb. The 1st 2 swords look like the same, except for the colour, but the weight for the 2nd one is listed as about the same as for the 3rd and the 4th. Something to check before buying.
The light one (the 1st sword) is the closest to a typical jian. The others are heavy, but good if you want a heavy jian.
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Post by Taiwandeutscher on Jun 18, 2015 8:06:41 GMT
Why not wait a bit, safe some more money and get a real sword?
If you stick to sword work, sooner or later you will get a real blade, and then you have a wall hanger with no use. If would opt the Scott Rodell cutting sword.
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Post by Jayhawk on Jun 18, 2015 11:12:15 GMT
Why not wait a bit, safe some more money and get a real sword? If you stick to sword work, sooner or later you will get a real blade, and then you have a wall hanger with no use. If would opt for the Scott Rodell cutting sword. I guess because I'm a bargain hunter who loves to find diamonds in the rough? I just sold a bunch of hand crafted Irish whistles, so I could afford a Cold Steel Gim or Rodell cutting sword solely on the profits from the whistle sale. However, that's just not in my nature. I'd buy a used one if someone wanted to sell one for $125-$150, but I have this imaginary line in the sand that keeps my sword purchase prices on the lower end. I've had great luck scouring antique malls, thrift stores and garage sales to find good antiques from the 1700s to the very early 20th century, but I've never paid more than $100 for an antique sword. I also bought a very nice dao for about $59 form SwordnArmory in the past (price has rises over the past 2-3 years to $79 for the same sword). These jian's look promising, and talking with the company selling them...I feel pretty comfortable they're of better quality than most low priced Lonquan forge items...the guy who sells them is a CMA teacher in California who has sourced them personally and specked them out with good high carbon steel, so in some ways it's a bit like your teacher buying good Lonquan items from one of the good forgers over there. So go back and vote! If you were going to buy one of these swords, which one? |
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Post by Jayhawk on Jun 19, 2015 4:15:44 GMT
Well, this really isn't fair, but I went a different direction after watching some reviews by Mak Jo Si on youtube and emailing him back and forth tonight...I went with this jian: www.wle.com/products/WGL170.htmlIt was the last one available and in 28", which is the length I wanted. Pin through the tang, videos show a really good, beefy tang, real brass fittings, even the fittings on the scabbard are pinned in place instead of glued on like so many cheapies. Kind of funky blade geometry, but this is the sword Mak Jo Si used to stab through a computer tower with and the sword was undamaged. Another plus is the real brass matches a jian dagger my dad brought back from China in 1978. Different fitting embellishments, but both being brass they'll look good together. I think the extra money is worth it here. I nearly bought the CS Gim, but I just find it to unattractive looking and I prefer the darker wood. I do appreciate folks opinions and guidance through this process. I'll yet you all know what I think when the sword arrives. Eric |
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Post by Turok on Jun 22, 2015 7:42:06 GMT
Great! I'm looking forward to reading your review!
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