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Post by foxmartialarts on Nov 1, 2015 23:50:55 GMT
Hello all. I've been collecting and training with swords for some time now, and I decided to celebrate my soon to be return from a term of military service with a Jian style sword. The problem is, I'm having difficulty picking one out. I don't know much about these swords, only what I can read in descriptions and on this site. I've narrowed my choices down to the Hanwei Chinese Cutting sword, the Cold Steel Gim Sword, the Cold Steel Battle Gim, the Noble Plants Jian offered by Kult of Athena's Iron Tiger Forge, and the Dynasty Forge sky piecing Jian.
I'm looking for a good one handed Jian for moderate cutting application, and minor display.
I should mention, weight itself isnt a problem; I'm a fairly strong person, and I can handle the cold Steel grosse messer (3.8 pound big german broadsword type thing) with one hand, to provide an example. My experience is mainly with Japanese and Thai swords, as well as sabers. I just want an authentic feel to the Jian, as opposed to a sharp club. All suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks!
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Post by foxmartialarts on Nov 2, 2015 0:02:05 GMT
What I've seen Battle Gim- www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=CS88FG&name=Cold+Steel+Battle+GimPrice $409.95 Pros: Beautiful fittings and sheath, good cutter Cons: Heavier than normal Jians CS Gim Sword- www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=CS88G&name=Cold+Steel+Gim+Sword$259.95 Pros: Good sturdy sword, sharp and pointy Cons: Kinda plain looking, full brass fittings liable to tarnish (I've seen enough brasso in the service...) Hanwei Cutting Sword- www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=SH2429&name=Hanwei+Chinese+Cutting+SwordPrice: $294.95 Pros: Great cutter, seen only good reviews, love the handle design Cons: Something about the sword throws me off. And very flexible. Noble Plants: www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=AC0716&name=Iron+Tiger+Forge+Noble+Plants+JianPrice $434.95, currently on sale for $339.95 Pros: Appealing look, good quality blade for cuts and thrusts. Cons: Handle looks uncomfortable, round handle may affect edge alignment, almost as heavy as the battle gim DF Sky Piercing Sword- www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=DF033&name=Dynasty+Forge+Sky+Piercing+Sword+-+Jue+Yun+JianPrice $434.45 Pros: Nice looking sword, sharp and pointy, attractive sheath. Cons: handle may be slippery, never dealt with Dynasty Forge, can't find anything on the quality of this sword |
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Post by Timo Nieminen on Nov 2, 2015 1:17:04 GMT
The CS Battle Gim I haven't handled, so can't comment much on it. It isn't ridiculously heavy. The CS Gim is well-balanced, maybe a bit hilt-heavy, but ugly fittings, tarnished or not. There is historical precedent for these ugly fittings, but they're not the most common style. The Hanwei Cutting Sword has a long grip, pretty much a hand-and-a-half grip. I wouldn't call it "very flexible". It isn't wobbly. It's a big sword: long grip, long blade. Most Ming/Qing jian were shorter. The Noble Plants jian is a fantasy sword (show me a historical jian with that kind of grip!). The DF Sky Piercing sword looks good. Made by Huanuo, who also make the Cold Steel Chinese swords, and their own swords under their own brand name. Quality should be OK.
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Post by Taiwandeutscher on Nov 2, 2015 2:45:41 GMT
I have the Huanuo version of the Cold Steel Gim Sword, it's called "carp sword". Good cutter, authentic fittings (I like them a lot), a bit top heavy (?), so is there a real difference between the 2 versions?
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Post by Timo Nieminen on Nov 2, 2015 3:15:13 GMT
I think the Cold Steel version has a heavier pommel. Other than that, I think the Huanuo and CS are the same.
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Post by Taiwandeutscher on Nov 2, 2015 6:06:19 GMT
Ah, therefor mine is tip heavy and a good thruster as well!
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Post by foxmartialarts on Nov 3, 2015 2:58:57 GMT
Thanks for the input. I spoke with Ryan Whittlinger of Kult of Athena about his thoughts on the Battle Gim, and that is probably the sword I will go with. I may consider the Hanwei Jian for a future purchase, if I fall in love with the style of sword.
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Post by Upasaka on Nov 14, 2015 11:52:30 GMT
Over the last few months I purchased a number of swords. These include different period replicas: Hon3, Tong4, Cing1, and so on. I will be posting photos and thoughts as soon as I can find the time. Thanks to the advice from this board, I managed to select historically accurate pieces. Historical authenticity is VERY important to me (particularly for performance), and I thank every member here for their input. Having said this, the only sword without historical reference I purchased was the Four Noble Plants. I must admit… It is my favorite sword! I am getting used to the above-average weight, and the sword feels “just right” in my hands. I have not done any cutting, only forms practice.
Of course, your experience may differ. Since I hate to recommend something unorthodox you may or may not like, I will just say FOR ME, this is a close to perfect sword. Also, I do recommend Kult of Athena. The two swords I bought there (both Iron Tiger Forge) are way above the quality of others within the same price range.
From this point forward I will only consider antique swords (when my budget allows, probably not soon).
Kamil
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