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Post by Webster on Dec 5, 2019 15:51:49 GMT
Hmm, Based on a few recommendations and YouTube reviews I was about to confirm an order for a custom sword in the range of $350. Now I find I'm getting cold feet after seeing this thread. I'm glad you like the swords you got, but if I'm effectively rolling the dice for a 50/50 shot of a high or low quality Katana... I have been corresponding with Mr. Kane. Maybe I should mention my QC concerns to him. Does anyone have any updates the last couple of months? Sinosword did try to make things right with me, and while the rust and saya issues were frustrating, I would still consider buying from them again (and probably will for lower priced custom blades). All right, yeah I was surprised to see your comments here when you recommended them in the other thread where I asked about a 14" tsuka. adamjabz had a 2/3 success rate it seems. Made me nervous. but hell. lets do it. I emailed them this morning with some follow up questions and we will see what they say. Thanks!
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Zen_Hydra
Moderator
Born with a heart full of neutrality
Posts: 2,625
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Post by Zen_Hydra on Dec 5, 2019 17:04:51 GMT
In my personal buying experience, Sinosword has delivered fewer flaws to me than Hanwei has. Most of my Sinosword grievances have been quite minor, and cosmetic. Some of my Hanwei swords have been quite significant (for example: a twist in a H/T sharp longsword blade, a horribly overbuilt shashka, a badly cracked tsuka core, an unhardened bearded axe edge, and a few more I can't remember the details of at the moment), but I would still buy an interesting Hanwei product. One has to correctly scale their expectations to the corresponding price point. You don't get Albion quality for a couple hundred dollars.
My frustrations with Sinosword arose from an initial experience with them which set the bar too high. My first custom blade order from Sinosword was nearly flawless, and for an exaggerated design which had to be difficult for them to get right. When my subsequent orders weren't to that same standard I was a bit resentful, and that wasn't fair of me. I would like for Sinosword to always be able to deliver Albion quality swords, but that isn't their business model. I needed to adjust my expectations, and I have.
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Post by JonSchwertFechter on May 22, 2020 13:40:19 GMT
Consistency in product construction and end result , as its own thing- should more oft than not be expected at every level of Price point/sword industry. but in relation to Albion- the are exceedingly overpriced(they were 10+ years ago) and even more so now.- I wouldn't argue with the generally very high quality, but that company foremost- and other manufacturers/makers in their range(its not just them) still far exceed what they're worth IMSO 'In my strong opinion' ( fortunately others are now starting to see that) -- but perhaps that is another conversation altogether ( That main point, and several other related points)- on the many flaws and pitfalls-'Business model' wise esp. that plague, and have plagued for several years now our modern repro weapons industry- and many manufactures/maker therin- not included sorely lacking 'Niche item' makers, and more semi custom fabricators(at more reasonable- or varied budgets)are vast no-man-lands. (while current World Economic climates certainly have had an affect)that more consumers need to be aware of these concerns- is a conversation Ive wanted to open up for a while now- consumers/enthusiasts- I have less common distinction as a former custom maker myself as well as still a buyer/collector of of makers goods (though hopefully I will begin my Business again in the near future)/ - of seeing from the other side) and still seeing the greater limitations to the consumer in what could be a more varied, healthy, and dynamic industry(kinda like it was several years ago, but in other ways better)-- I strongly feel that as more proactive members with actual producers/developers here on Forums like this and in other communication mediums-we can at least partially start affecting some changes in some of the major declining and (altogether missed elements) in the current production and custom sword/arms arena
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Post by Robert in California on May 24, 2020 16:06:01 GMT
In a recent order, I not only mentioned the specs and furniture I wanted, but I specified the q.c. areas (habaki fit and yokote sharpness) I wanted special attention to...the idea on a custom order of saying..."here are workmanship areas, I ask to give special attention to". I don't mind paying for the extra care in workmanship if it gets me a better made sword. IMO Jkoo/Sino is trying to do two incompatible things at the same time...low prices and high quality. Very hard to do and stay in business. I hear Van Yang has Kane Yang doing pre-shipping q.c. A good thing is Kane does a diligent job of insuring no problem swords ship. Better to raise prices a bit if needed for the extra q.c. in workmanship than to ship a faulty sword. RinC
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Post by Robert in California on May 24, 2020 16:09:43 GMT
We do have some sword makers here in the USA and they tend to be very good. But affordable to non-hardcore sword enthusiasts? i.e. Prices on Angel swords?
For a decent $300usd sword, where can one go, except to China?
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Post by loveofswords on May 24, 2020 16:29:44 GMT
We do have some sword makers here in the USA and they tend to be very good. But affordable to non-hardcore sword enthusiasts? i.e. Prices on Angel swords? For a decent $300usd sword, where can one go, except to China? You have any experience with them? If so , who do you recommend?
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