Can this Ebay seller be trusted? Is this jian any good?

« Prev
1
Next »

jonathanb
Member

Posts: 17

Can this Ebay seller be trusted? Is this jian any good? Aug 15, 2015 23:45:09 GMT

Quote

Post by jonathanb on Aug 15, 2015 23:45:09 GMT

Hi folks,

My teacher is keen on teaching me a really wonderful Jian form and its usage. I need to buy a new jian that's simple, just for training, not too fancy - to last me a year or two. I eyed these two:

www.ebay.com/itm/Jian-swords-Damascus-Steel-blade-Full-tang-Red-wood-Sheath-Handmade-gifts-Taichi-/130809777956?hash=item1e74decf24

www.ebay.com/itm/longquan-sword-handmade-Damascus-Steel-blade-Red-wood-Shirasaya-Full-tang-kungfu/130779304356?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D33097%26meid%3D4aee0ab6c68847e0a0096eddb0452640%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D130809777956

The design is unorthodox and partly Japanese, and lacks a guard (which is tiny on a jian anyway), but it perfectly matches in color my two miao dao (also made with redwood) and I really like the way it looks. It's not meant for cutting, and applications practice I'll do with a wooden jian.

So, a few questions:

1. Are these worthless wallhangers or could they actually be used for training?

2. Do you know this seller and can they be trusted?

3. What kind of questions should I pose to them when inquiring about a purchase?

4. What ought to be a good balance on a jian?

Any additional input is welcome.

Thanks a lot in advance!

Last Edit: Aug 16, 2015 0:06:08 GMT by jonathanb

Timo Nieminen
Member

Posts: 3,706

Can this Ebay seller be trusted? Is this jian any good? Aug 16, 2015 0:06:49 GMT

Quote

Post by Timo Nieminen on Aug 16, 2015 0:06:49 GMT

They should be OK. Seller seems OK, have bought from them, and would have bought more if their prices were about 2/3 of what they ask.

As for balance, a jian should be balanced like a cut-and-thrust sword. Forward pivot point should be very close to the tip, and the point of balance should be wherever it needs to be to make this so. In practice, point of balance is usually from 4" to 6" past the guard.

I wouldn't pick either of these swords for a forms jian; I'd get something with a traditional jian grip. But if a non-standard grip isn't a problem for you, these should be OK.

"In addition to being efficient, all pole arms were quite nice to look at." - Cherney Berg, A hideous history of weapons, Collier 1963.

jonathanb
Member

Posts: 17

Can this Ebay seller be trusted? Is this jian any good? Aug 16, 2015 0:09:42 GMT

Quote

Post by jonathanb on Aug 16, 2015 0:09:42 GMT

Thanks Timo!

This is nearly the exact same grip I have on my miao dao, and seems to be the same wood too, so I am quite used to it.

Anyone else care to share an opinion? Just want to gather some more information before making a purchase.

Also - should the one with the tiny guard be preferable to the other, or no difference?

Last Edit: Aug 16, 2015 0:18:20 GMT by jonathanb

Upasaka
Member

Posts: 31

Can this Ebay seller be trusted? Is this jian any good? Aug 18, 2015 0:17:29 GMT

Quote

Post by Upasaka on Aug 18, 2015 0:17:29 GMT

Hi Jonathan,

Here's a similar option:

www.ebay.com/itm/252025638000?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2648&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I am considering this sword myself. For the price, seems pretty solid. Seller has 100% feedback. Anyone knows this seller?

Kamil

Sadhu, sadhu, sadhu!

Shoutbox

mrstabby: Been thinking the same - but the person that set up the page might not be there anymore and old code gets messy when not maintained. Might be a "repair subscriptions, destroy function X, repair X, destroy Y" situation by now - would mean a total overhaul. Nov 18, 2024 7:29:27 GMT

choseychas: Huh. Is there no fix on our side then? Or is it that you need to contact an admin since the auto system is down? Nov 18, 2024 3:58:50 GMT

eastman: problems with the forum software are the cause, not a goal to limit the club. There is an error with the software that messes up activities that require the sending of email. Nov 18, 2024 3:57:36 GMT

choseychas: That's what I figured, wasn't sure if it had become a limited club where you have to know someone to get in or what was going on. Nov 18, 2024 2:39:40 GMT

eastman: that situation has been constant at MyArmoury for the last 2-3 years Nov 18, 2024 0:32:06 GMT

choseychas: Anyone have any info on MyArmoury registration? Been wanting to make an account for a year or more (can't remember at this point) but every time I've checked they've halted registrations. Nov 17, 2024 21:55:36 GMT

alinkinthechain: I also do love Boston. I've traveled a bit and nothing feels as wonderful as that city to me. I'm lucky to live nearby Nov 12, 2024 15:28:16 GMT

txhighlander: Boston might be my fav. So much history, and clean! and great food. New York was cool for a day to see iconic landmarks Nov 7, 2024 17:00:22 GMT

eskiso: someone can help me to identify a sword and its origin, to see its commercial value please. 2346

Nov 1, 2024 0:13:58 GMT

blackngold: Dallas is the worst place in the country to fly in and out of. High winds can delay your flight by 6.5 hours and leave you sitting on the tarmac for an additional 2 (ask me how I know)... Oct 31, 2024 2:21:20 GMT

nerdthenord: Oh I’ve been there lol, I’m in Texas. Dallas is certainly not high on my travel list lol Oct 27, 2024 8:35:23 GMT

Arlequin: Come to Dallas, we can be your worst

Oct 27, 2024 2:59:53 GMT

nerdthenord: I just got back from 10 days in Chicago and Milwaukee, absolutely amazing. Chicago was easily my favorite big City I have ever been to Oct 25, 2024 13:59:11 GMT

nerdthenord: Very horrible news, I'm so sorry Oct 25, 2024 13:58:20 GMT

alinkinthechain: This is sad news Oct 16, 2024 18:58:13 GMT

glendon: Dave Kelly is out of action. Oct 15, 2024 20:32:42 GMT

wildv: Post in the classified here on the forum. I'm always interested in Bugei but this is most likely a scam. Sept 4, 2024 14:10:12 GMT

Timberwolf: . Sept 2, 2024 23:25:21 GMT *

mrstabby: 1Mb Aug 29, 2024 5:45:12 GMT

JonSchwertFechter: what is maximum file size to post image/picture file on forum.. need to know soon.. thanks Aug 28, 2024 23:27:30 GMT