|
Post by foxmartialarts on Aug 4, 2016 23:45:23 GMT
This review has been featured on SBG! CLICK HERE to read the review in it's new and improved format
|
|
|
Post by redrab on Aug 5, 2016 14:48:21 GMT
Nice review! I was always curious about these and was reluctant to go ahead with a purchase due to not seeing much info about them out there. Thank you.
Ryan
|
|
pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
|
Post by pgandy on Aug 5, 2016 14:49:47 GMT
Congratulations on your new sword. It looks like a good one. However, the tsuka-ito appears to be soft and/or poorly wrapped. Any comments?
|
|
|
Post by foxmartialarts on Aug 5, 2016 15:55:58 GMT
Congratulations on your new sword. It looks like a good one. However, the tsuka-ito appears to be soft and/or poorly wrapped. Any comments? Comfort and ergonomics wise, the ito is excellent. The handle feels much more comfortable compared to a hardwood or some of the other Katana handles I've had. However, as far as how well it's wrapped, I would highly recommend you re-wrap it yourself if you have the know-how. It does steadily come lose. If you can wrap it tight, you'll have a great handle.
|
|
|
Post by johnwalter on Aug 8, 2016 17:11:06 GMT
I've been wanting one for quite awhile.Thanks for the review.
|
|
|
Post by pellius on Aug 9, 2016 2:26:24 GMT
Thank you for the review.
I have been eyeballing that piece for a while. One of my favorite features is the blue handle wrap. For me personally, the insecure wrap is a disappointment, especially on a (to me) pretty expensive sword. I am impressed that you were able to take that in stride.
I have tried a number of times to wrap my willow leaf saber with a similar wrap. I admit I'm no craftsman. Nonetheless, it's harder than it looks. I think you can get a pro to do it for a pretty reasonable price. (My humble but well-loved liuyedao just isn't worth the cost.)
I wonder if a full rayskin wrap (rather than the recessed panel) would have held it more securely.
Anyway, thanks for sharing your experience. Very nice sword.
|
|
|
Post by William Swiger on Aug 10, 2016 9:32:24 GMT
Great review.
|
|
|
Post by foxmartialarts on Aug 10, 2016 17:43:54 GMT
Thank you for the review. I have been eyeballing that piece for a while. One of my favorite features is the blue handle wrap. For me personally, the insecure wrap is a disappointment, especially on a (to me) pretty expensive sword. I am impressed that you were able to take that in stride. I have tried a number of times to wrap my willow leaf saber with a similar wrap. I admit I'm no craftsman. Nonetheless, it's harder than it looks. I think you can get a pro to do it for a pretty reasonable price. (My humble but well-loved liuyedao just isn't worth the cost.) I wonder if a full rayskin wrap (rather than the recessed panel) would have held it more securely. Anyway, thanks for sharing your experience. Very nice sword. By all means, I would recommend the sword if you like the looks. At $465, it is definitely not a cheap sword. But, even after going brush cutting, tree trimming, and honestly cutting whatever else I fancied, the wrap is looser, but still definitely useable. The issue only happens on the upper end of the wrap, so i'm curious if mine is also an issue because of the loose ring under the guard. It may just be my sword, we won't know until somebody else has one, eh? A full slab of rayskin would have been nice, but as i stated earlier, the handle feels great to hold. In other news, I have a couple of other swords that nobody else seems to, which I'd like to review. Anything else I can add to make a better review for ya'll? Thanks for the support!
|
|
|
Post by Timo Nieminen on Aug 10, 2016 19:48:30 GMT
But, even after going brush cutting, tree trimming, and honestly cutting whatever else I fancied, the wrap is looser, but still definitely useable. The issue only happens on the upper end of the wrap, so i'm curious if mine is also an issue because of the loose ring under the guard. It may just be my sword, we won't know until somebody else has one, eh? A full slab of rayskin would have been nice, but as i stated earlier, the handle feels great to hold. The loose ferrule won't have anything to do with the wrap sliding around. From your photos, the wood doesn't look polished smooth (which is usual on repro dao hilts), but the rayskin panels sit below the surface and do nothing except be decorative. It's just that a wrap needs to be very, very tight if it isn't going to slide on smooth wood (unless the shape of the wood helps). A full rayskin wrap, shallower recesses for the rayskin panels that are there, leaving the wood rougher, would all have helped keep the wrap in place. It might also be a poor choice of cord for the wrap - something slippery rather than grippy.
|
|
|
Post by pellius on Aug 10, 2016 22:38:49 GMT
I don't know if the site is up to date, and shipping/customs could be a chore, but the wrap work and (inexpensive) cost for wrapping service is pretty impressive: mandarinmansion.com/restoration/grip-wrappingfwiw Edit After looking at the site again, it looks like he has done a wrap on your make/model. I could be wrong, but one of the work example pics looks a lot like your sword.
|
|
|
Post by foxmartialarts on Aug 11, 2016 16:14:00 GMT
The loose ferrule won't have anything to do with the wrap sliding around. From your photos, the wood doesn't look polished smooth (which is usual on repro dao hilts), but the rayskin panels sit below the surface and do nothing except be decorative. It's just that a wrap needs to be very, very tight if it isn't going to slide on smooth wood (unless the shape of the wood helps). A full rayskin wrap, shallower recesses for the rayskin panels that are there, leaving the wood rougher, would all have helped keep the wrap in place. It might also be a poor choice of cord for the wrap - something slippery rather than grippy. Ferrule is the word I have been looking for, thank you very much. Closest thing I could think of was calling it a fuchi, but that wouldn't be proper. Thanks for the info.
|
|
|
Post by pellius on Aug 12, 2016 2:03:02 GMT
Just as a note for archive purposes...
Forumite Graviga reported a similar issue with the DF yanmaodao over on the Beginners forum.
|
|
|
Post by quesderho on Jan 14, 2019 18:15:07 GMT
This dao is so discontinued nowadays. I wish I have seen this review earlier and bought one
Anywhere to find the inventory?
|
|
|
Post by foxmartialarts on Jan 14, 2019 19:09:09 GMT
This dao is so discontinued nowadays. I wish I have seen this review earlier and bought one Anywhere to find the inventory? Hey there folks, it's been awhile since I've been on here. I would be willing to sell you the Liuyedao I used in testing here, if you were interested. PM me if so.
|
|