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Post by pete085 on Nov 11, 2016 21:37:23 GMT
Hi there I am new in this Board and new in the sword collection world. I want to start my collection with an functional Jian and later I also want to get an functional Dao.But enough of the future talk and back to the Jian.
I found 2 pontential Jian i could buy. The cutting Jian from Scott Rodell and some Jian from Sino swords.
Which of them would you recommend or would you recommend the Jian of an different manufacture.
I am lookin for a functional swords, because I am a practionser of Tai Chi and later when I am more experienced I want to use my sword for cutting tests.
But in the near future it will only be a nice collection item. For the practise of forms I use wooden weapons.
Thanks for your help in Advance.
Greetings from Austria
Pete
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Post by Timo Nieminen on Nov 11, 2016 22:36:52 GMT
The Rodell cutting jian is very good. The possible disadvantages are that it is a large sword, with both a long hilt and a long blade, and you might want something smaller, and it isn't a perfectly polished blade. The Rodell sparring jian might work very well as a very safe (no edges, no point) well-balanced full-weight steel sword for forms.
I haven't played with any Sinosword jian. Huanuo jian look good, and might be a good option if you want a fancier sword than the Rodell jian. Huanuo-made swords for other sellers also look OK. So look at Dynasty Forge jian, and the Cold Steel Gim or Jade Lion (their Battle Gim is heavy, but these ones are good typical jian).
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Post by pete085 on Nov 12, 2016 15:29:07 GMT
Ok thanks for the advice. That helps me a lot  |
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Post by pellius on Nov 13, 2016 3:56:15 GMT
Lately, I've been looking at the TFW jian with covetous eyes.
It's weight and size seem pretty functional. Not too heavy, and probably not too long. Single hand pommel. Probably sharp. Probably very well constructed.
The aesthetics are nowhere near as fancy, traditional or even Chinese as, say, the CS Jade Lion. The blackened steel fittings and different woods for scabbard and grip kinda give it an unglamorous appearance in photos. However, I imagine it looks very nice in person.
I have the TFW Dan Dao, which has the same aesthetics. In my opinion, photos do not do justice to the beauty of the blade, fittings and scabbard. To me, the sword looks subtle and refined, and focused on the serious business of sword fighting. Also, the polished hardwood handle provides a very secure grip. I imagine the same would be true for the jian.
And I am a big fan of TFW steel. 5160 (alloyed with D2 if you believe their marketing claims) thru hardened with a spring temper. Very tough and very stay-sharp. It has a gorgeous color and luster (I kinda think it's the chromium in the alloy, but I can't back that up with any evidence).
For around a hundred bucks less than the Rodell cutting jian (and about 200 less than the CS Jade Lion Gim), it's probably worth a close look. Just mtc.
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Post by pete085 on Nov 14, 2016 16:38:04 GMT
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Post by Timo Nieminen on Nov 14, 2016 20:40:17 GMT
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Post by pete085 on Nov 18, 2016 13:51:34 GMT
thanks for the links describing the pivot points. Was a good read, because I had no idea what they were. I am new to the swords field. Just practising HEMA Longsword for about half a year, and about 1 month Yang Tai Chi and have no handled a true sword either so far. Just wooden training weapons. The Jian will be my first real sword, so I am happy about any help. I think I will buy either the cutting Jian or the TFW Jian. This one www.samurai-katana-shop.nl/en/huanuo-chinesesword/131-carp-jian-huanuo-sword.html#would be an option because it looks nice. Has anybody experience with it? I am also considering buying an cold steel battle gim I saw at an local gun store. In that chase I would not have to worry about shipping costs... Thanks again for the help |
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Post by pete085 on Nov 18, 2016 13:55:34 GMT
thanks for the links describing the pivot points. Was a good read, because I had no idea what they were. I am new to the swords field. Just practising HEMA Longsword for about half a year, and about 1 month Yang Tai Chi and have no handled a true sword either so far. Just wooden training weapons. The Jian will be my first real sword, so I am happy about any help. I think I will buy either the cutting Jian or the TFW Jian. This one www.samurai-katana-shop.nl/en/huanuo-chinesesword/131-carp-jian-huanuo-sword.html#would be an option because it looks nice. Has anybody experience with it? Did anybody did some cutting tests with it? because I am bit confused what light cutting is supposed to mean? I am also considering buying an cold steel battle gim I saw at an local gun store. In that chase I would not have to worry about shipping costs... Thanks again for the help |
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Post by pellius on Nov 18, 2016 15:26:03 GMT
At 2 pounds 8 ounces, the CS Battle Gim is regularly reported to be pretty heavy for Tai Chi practice. Depending on how you practice, I imagine complex or energetic movements with fajin might be a little dangerous with a sharp heavy sword if you are tired or not yet sufficiently skilled or fit enough (no judgement- you may be).
KoA has them in stock at about $410 plus shipping (which is less than sales tax would be in my neck of the woods).
I don't study jian/gim (yet!), so I can't say from experience. I have a well-constructed Hanbon jian that weighs almost that much, and it doesn't seem all that hard to use with precision.
Nonetheless, imho, it's always a good idea to talk to your weapons instructor before choosing a weapon. I didn't follow my own advice regarding my jian (I did for niuweidao), but only because it will be years until I study jian, so mine was more an aesthetic choice.
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Post by Timo Nieminen on Nov 18, 2016 22:00:12 GMT
I have the Cold Steel version. The CS has a heavier pommel (there's some lead added inside the hollow brass pommel), but otherwise it's the same. Well-balanced, good sword. Cuts well (I cut enough with it so that I need to resharpen it, but for the moment, it still has one edge sharp enough for cutting well - an advantage of the double-edged blade). "Light cutting" usually means plastic bottles and single or double mats, but not triple or more mats, bamboo, tree branches, etc. |
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Post by pete085 on Nov 20, 2016 7:04:13 GMT
I have the Cold Steel version. The CS has a heavier pommel (there's some lead added inside the hollow brass pommel), but otherwise it's the same. Well-balanced, good sword. Cuts well (I cut enough with it so that I need to resharpen it, but for the moment, it still has one edge sharp enough for cutting well - an advantage of the double-edged blade). "Light cutting" usually means plastic bottles and single or double mats, but not triple or more mats, bamboo, tree branches, etc. Ok thanks again for your detailed reply. Now I know what light cutting means. Then the sword would be fine for me. Because i would only be intersted in light cutting for now. For heavy cutting, i can use an oxtail Dao which I want to buy in in the future. pellius I agree it would be a good idea to talk with my instructor about the propper sword but it's use as the training tool is not my primary goal to buy the sword. I want it as an usuable collectors item in the first place, which can be used as a functional sword for training later. For now I want to start a nice collection of Chinese swords. Want also to buy one or two dao later . |
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Post by pellius on Nov 20, 2016 7:39:54 GMT
That was my primary interest in my first jian, also. I have greatly enjoyed mine, despite it not being a very good Tai Chi sword.
I'm not sure an oxtail would be particularly suited for heavy cutting. My understanding is that they were historically designed and used as civilian/militia weapons against unarmored adversaries. I could, of course, be mistaken.
The edge of my Hanwei oxtail looks like it would roll or chip if it struck a hard target. For heavy cutting, I use a liuyedao.
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Post by pete085 on Nov 21, 2016 12:15:03 GMT
pellius Thanks a lot for telling me your concerns to use the oxtail dao as a heavy cutter. To me the oxtail Dao looks decent, but I am by no means an expert in that field and so I could be wrong. Good to know it. But in long terms the oxtail dao won't be my only Dao. I am intersted in purchasing other models of Dao in future too.
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Post by pete085 on Nov 24, 2016 8:52:06 GMT
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Post by Upasaka on Nov 24, 2016 12:27:11 GMT
Nice perhaps, but not a gim3 (or jian4). This is not a Chinese sword. |
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Post by pete085 on Nov 24, 2016 12:30:58 GMT
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