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Post by Upasaka on Aug 2, 2015 22:56:31 GMT
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Aug 2, 2015 23:00:48 GMT
Here's a video of the owner of the United Backyard Cutters site cutting with the Liuyedao. You could ask him his thought on it.
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Post by Timo Nieminen on Aug 2, 2015 23:42:44 GMT
I'd avoid the jian, especially for a martial arts sword. Looks like a round-section grip. I'd get something with a normal jian grip, if I wanted to do jian forms with it. (I'd get something with a normal jian grip, anyway, even if I wasn't going to use it for forms.)
The dao looks OK. Zinc-aluminium fittings are not so good, but hard to get better on such cheap dao.
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Post by Turok on Aug 3, 2015 2:14:39 GMT
That "noble plant jian" is too ostentatious for me! That dao looks good and the test cutting looks great! It's a shame it didn't come with simple brass fittings instead.
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Post by MEversbergII on Aug 3, 2015 17:25:50 GMT
I have the dao you linked there, upasaka. I've had it for a few weeks now and I've been meaning to do a review, but I keep putting it off. General thoughts: It's a good piece, especially at the $150 sale price. KoA's "sharpness scale" is a bit...eh, but it'll do the trick I think. It doesn't have a good sash attachment point; need to find something appropriate. If you're interested in a particular aspect of the dao (fittings, handling, etc), I can definitely get back to you about it quicker than I can key up a whole review. Just lay it out here and I'll fill you in. I also have this dao: www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=SW258&name=Short+Chinese+LiuyedaoShort version: Still a nice piece for the price, but curiously feels heavier than its larger cousin above, there. Haven't gotten to do any in-depth stuff yet, though. Oh, also, the wife picked up the jian here: kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=BB0403Not particularly sharp at all. Fairly hefty, but it's not awful. It's what we can expect with large cast metal fittings, I think. She intends to hang it on the wall, so it'll work for her purposes. The boxes in each are nice, though the foam underneath the liner is rather fragile. M. |
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Post by gregee on Aug 13, 2015 2:15:40 GMT
I just picked up the Iron Tiger Dao as well. Overall I like the piece, but it has it's issues. The edge at the point had not been sharpened. It was about a quarter inch of blade up to the point, flat. I sharpened it, not a problem. Then I found a few spots that look like the lamination of the steel wasn't fully forge welded together. It is by the handle and involves just one line of lamination. At some point I will post pictures to get opinions on the lamination issue.
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Post by gregee on Aug 13, 2015 3:19:43 GMT
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Post by Timo Nieminen on Aug 13, 2015 3:57:54 GMT
Looks safe enough. Mainly a cosmetic issue only. Can also trap water or other gunk there, so it's a potential starting point for rust.
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Post by Upasaka on Aug 18, 2015 1:31:35 GMT
Hi everyone,
Thanks for all the feedback. Yes, I could not resist and bought both swords. After a few days I can’t write a full review, but will give you my first impression. By the way, I agree with all of your comments: sharpness scale a little off; gim3 handle a pain; and gim3 quite ostentatious… However, as a practicing Theravada Buddhist I just loved the symbolism of the Plants, and the possible (although somewhat stretched…) representation of the Four Noble Truths. I was looking for a sword that I can practice with daily and the symbolism made me overlook all else.
At this price point, the dou1 is a solid piece. Balanced at approximately 6.5”, it feels a little heavy, but very solid. Blade nice throughout. Gregee, perhaps you should contact KoA for exchange? Again, the blade on this one is excellent. Have nothing, but praise for this sword.
The gim is another story. I really like it, but only because I’m willing to overlook a couple of things. First, as Timo mentioned, is the handle. For practicing forms it definitely feels a little awkward. The hand tends to slip a little at times. But far more importantly, this is a heavy gim3! Definitely not your “scholar’s sword” feel. High quality blade for this price point. Balanced at 4”, as opposed to the advertised 3 5/8”. This kind of variation was to be expected. If you can get past these aspects, you will probably like this sword. I actually like the idea of building-up in time to a more “military” feel gim3. It will take some time, though. Particularly since I’m somewhere around 150 lbs… A heftier person may have a different experience. One additional comment: thankfully, the gim3 looks a bit darker and a LOT more subtle in person. Significantly reduced ostentatiousness factor!
Bottom line: I love and recommend both swords! Both are very solid pieces, and I appreciate a gim3 that I have to grow into. Kind of a “respect thing” that fits well with the symbolism, and is so inseparable from the arts that we practice!
Thanks everyone for your comments, which helped me make the right choice! Please let me know if you have any questions.
Kamil
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mali
Member
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LF0-FZFZ-wA
Posts: 94
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Post by mali on Aug 29, 2015 23:12:53 GMT
I recently bought a two handed Han Jian from Iron Tiger Forge. I've been apprehensive about the purchase, because I have not been successful in taking the sword apart without damaging it. I have taken off the threaded pommel (along with copious glue), but have had issues removing the handle and seeing the tang. It's a very attractive blade, with good geometry, but I am hesitant to cut with it until I can see it's inner construction. For now, it will stay on a display stand, but I will contact the seller for more details before I attempt any cutting . I'm terrified that the tang may not match the quality of the rest of the sword. Attachments:
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mali
Member
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LF0-FZFZ-wA
Posts: 94
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Post by mali on Aug 31, 2015 3:51:14 GMT
Here I would like to emphasize just how striking the blade is, along with vouching for the quality of the fittings, the tight fit, and the balance. Again, the only thing that concerns me is that the threaded tang cannot be examined, and I have no idea how it is put together. Although it would seem unlikely for a 1k+ sword to have a badly welded rat-tail tang, I'm not willing to risk bodily harm over it by doing any real cutting. I would also be interested in the inner construction of the handle, as I've heard that cutting with "hollow handles" can be dangerous as well. I will call Kult of Athena tomorrow for more information. |
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Post by AlvaroWang on Aug 31, 2015 17:51:30 GMT
Isn't it possible to contact iron forge and ask for pictures of the tang? Often times they are quite honest about it
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mali
Member
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LF0-FZFZ-wA
Posts: 94
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Post by mali on Sept 1, 2015 12:35:07 GMT
It seems that Iron Tiger Forger is a KoA exclusive brand (KoA deal directly with the factory). I called KoA yesterday, and they were already aware of this thread. They sent Iron Tiger Forge a message to collect more details regarding two handed Han Jian. I was informed that I will be receiving an email from them once they get a response. ............................ I received the following response from KoA: "Hello, I understand you were looking for more info on the tang of the two handed Jian by Iron Tiger Forge. As the item is permanently assembled, it is not possible to get to the tang on a completed sword without breaking the grip. However, I was able to get some pictures of the blade tang from the factory and have them attached here for you. I hope this helps. Thanks Ryan Whittlinger" As it looks to me, this is a sturdy piece. The tang is very thick in the area that takes most of the stress (where it meets the blade), is constructed of the same metal as the blade, and spans the wooden handle with a consistent and significant dimension all the way to end/theaded portion. I am now comfortable using it for cutting. I would like to thank KoA for the timely and helpful response. |
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