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Post by pellius on Jun 4, 2017 12:55:54 GMT
Just a quick PSA
TFW is raising their price for the Dan Dao to about $380. At least right now, KoA has them in stock for about $250 (and scratch-n-dent for about $220). If you were planning to get one of these but you've been putting it off, now might be a good time to scoop one up.
I got one from KoA's scratch-n-dent a while back, and it's a pretty good sword for $220. Dunno that it's worth almost 400 bucks, though. That's nipping at the heels of a DF niuweidao/liuyedao or an Albion SL.
I had been wanting a TFW jian, but they've been out of stock for a while. TFW upped the price on these to about $380 also.
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gandermail
Member
Bill, WEWolf, Slackitude...I need to settle on a name.
Posts: 248
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Post by gandermail on Jun 4, 2017 13:59:32 GMT
I have one of these, it's a very solid nice sword and attractive albeit simple. New visitors, looking at my sword rack, are always drawn first to it. That said, there's no way I'd pay 380 dollars for one, there is no ornamentation, the grip is plain wood without even the cord wrap usually found on the type, the scabbard is also plain wood with no ornamentation and somewhat thin and cheaply made. I have no clue where they're getting the idea it's worth that kind of money.
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Post by Croccifixio on Jun 4, 2017 14:01:03 GMT
This price increase might be from new designs... we'll see. In any event, I agree. Below $300 is nice, but at $380 you can get a nice Chinese custom made for you.
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Post by pellius on Jun 4, 2017 23:48:13 GMT
I commented to Ron about the price increase.
Per Ron:
"Well, its slight if you figure what a metal worker would charge for something like that if it were made here in the US. I have seen small knives at knife shows that were not even as nice as the TFW Pakal knives and they were charging $600 and sometimes more for them.
Besides that...the reason for the increase is the amount of steel use. I am keeping the smaller blades as is but could not handle such a loss on the longer swords anymore. Shipping the steel blends there costs here in the US and there in the Philippines with taxes. The steels went up. This business is NOT easy believe me. However, people are buying them. They seem to be happy even with the increase."
No criticism/disrespect intended at Ron or TFW. However, I don't get the impression this is a result of a more sophisticated new design. It is a nice sword. I thought it was a really good deal at $220. It's just that there are much nicer (mostly Chinese) options in the $400 playground.
fwiw
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Post by Timo Nieminen on Jun 5, 2017 0:21:23 GMT
the scabbard is also plain wood with no ornamentation and somewhat thin and cheaply made. Thin is good, because thin means light. Antique Chinese scabbards, especially good ones (on swords meant to be worn), tend to be fairly thin-walled. |
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Ifrit
Member
More edgy than a double edge sword
Posts: 3,284
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Post by Ifrit on Jun 5, 2017 1:26:40 GMT
I commented to Ron about the price increase. Per Ron: "Well, its slight if you figure what a metal worker would charge for something like that if it were made here in the US. I have seen small knives at knife shows that were not even as nice as the TFW Pakal knives and they were charging $600 and sometimes more for them. Besides that...the reason for the increase is the amount of steel use. I am keeping the smaller blades as is but could not handle such a loss on the longer swords anymore. Shipping the steel blends there costs here in the US and there in the Philippines with taxes. The steels went up. This business is NOT easy believe me. However, people are buying them. They seem to be happy even with the increase." No criticism/disrespect intended at Ron or TFW. However, I don't get the impression this is a result of a more sophisticated new design. It is a nice sword. I thought it was a really good deal at $220. It's just that there are much nicer (mostly Chinese) options in the $400 playground. fwiw Sounds like the same business move the bar in my town uses. "If people keep buying it, then it is not outrageous". |
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