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Post by lioconvoy on Jan 1, 2020 4:00:06 GMT
Alright guys; what did I do right, and what did I do wrong? What did I miss that you'd like me to cover next time?
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Post by pvsampson on Jan 1, 2020 8:22:26 GMT
So touching up the edge a little was not an option? In my opinion,recommending to stay away from a sword because it is not quite sharp enough seems harsh. Excluding razors,I have never bought any blade that I considered sharp enough,and if they did not need a stone I have always ran a steel or diamond hone over the edge. Always.
Expecting any production katana to come sharp enough for tameshigiri would be unreasonable.
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Post by Dandelion on Jan 1, 2020 12:48:40 GMT
So touching up the edge a little was not an option? In my opinion,recommending to stay away from a sword because it is not quite sharp enough seems harsh. Excluding razors,I have never bought any blade that I considered sharp enough,and if they did not need a stone I have always ran a steel or diamond hone over the edge. Always. Expecting any production katana to come sharp enough for tameshigiri would be unreasonable. Strange... completely against our experiences, especially with Cold Steel stuff. Hanwei can be a little "meh" some time, but our Practical Plus XL is scary sharp. Ditto our Huaweis when delivered. Of course We dont cut tatami mats; i dont cut anything! Too much respect for the things. Hlger does mainly pool noodles, but there was also some bambo. Which is really "hard"! Happy new year by the way...
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Post by MOK on Jan 1, 2020 13:11:49 GMT
Yeah, honing and sharpening is just something anybody who uses their swords (and isn't filthy rich) will have to learn to do at some point. Not being as sharp as possible out of the box is among the very least problems a sword can have. I understand it's considered more of an issue on authentic Japanese swords because intricate aesthetic polishing is a whole thing, but still. Fair enough on the other problems, though.
Swords are often stored and shipped out of the scabbard for rust prevention reasons, and to prevent the scabbard from cracking when changes in moisture and temperature make it shrink or grow or warp.
Also, the video is very overexposed; you'll want to adjust your camera settings to avoid all the bright things turning into featureless white lumps.
Other than that, good job, I think!
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Jan 1, 2020 14:33:29 GMT
Your narration is clear and easy to understand, other than that I found the video, well, somewhat a turn off. The images were slightly out of focus on my screen and much is burnt out especially the sky. Your “wardrobe” distracted from your subject. But most of all, you condemned the sword due to its lack of sharpness. I think anyone really into swords has the ability to touch up the edge and think nothing of it. FWIW I order my swords unsharpened in order to clear customs more easily, to save a few dollars, and I do a better job than the vendors do with their in house sharpening service. Not to mention every sword I have after use needs a touch up. It would be nice to have a really sharp sword out of the box, but with no hamon to worry about what the heck. I don’t know but I strongly suspect CS touches up the edges of whatever they demonstrate before videoing. I’ve never bought a machete that didn’t need sharpening. To say, and even demonstrate, that it lacked a really sharp edge out of the box and that you needed to sharpen, and do so, would not be an issue. But if you return that katana on those grounds as you say is your intent I question your concept and ability. You asked.
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Post by lioconvoy on Jan 1, 2020 19:26:58 GMT
RAD! FEEDBACK! Alright, let me dig in here:
Here's my personal view here; I review things as they come out of the box. I don't do touch-ups (even if I knew how) because I want to (if I can) represent what it's like upon arrival. Swords are art, yes, but they're also tools. I wouldn't be cool with a Ryobi drill I needed to fix to operate like it's supposed to brand new.
Expecting a $300 sword to cut on-par with swords in it's price range isn't anywhere near unreasonable, I think.
Well, I've still got a secondhand Nodachi to review from them this month. And I'm wanting to review their Gold Lion Katana. I think three of their swords is a good range to judge them by in general. But if you think I'm wrong, let me know!
Good point; I didn't consider that. I was just worried because there wasn't really much packing stopping them from banging together in the box.
I'm more used to reviewing animation, so live videos are new territory for me. So critique like this is VERY helpful; Thank you!
Thanks! This is the type of stuff I absolutely need to hear.
Could you be more specific, please?
The manufacturer boasted about it's cutting ability. There was nothing said about how it CAN be that sharp IF you sharpen it. I expect a weapon to function as it's supposed to on arrival.
If you have a favorite, regular cutter, I don't disagree in principal on this. But again; I think that would be against my goal here.
I'm not really sure where you're from as you specifically mentioned customs, but is it not normal for you to return a product that doesn't preform as it's supposed to?
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Post by pvsampson on Jan 1, 2020 20:32:10 GMT
So the sword was not sharp enough out of the box to cut the medium using terrible technique and you recommend to not purchase.
An actual fair review would note that,then test with an edge touch up. Did you do a paper cut test before hacking into those mats? That would have been an indicator of how sharp it was. How much experience have you with cutting with swords? Your technique suggests not much. If you put a steel over the edge the result would have been different and if you are not even able to do that then you should not be reviewing very large blades.
Your review was flawed due to not ensuring the edge was ready for the job at hand.
Edit: I went to your page and saw your other vid with the Hanwei. Reviewing a 15 year old sword that has never been sharpened? Seriously dude, learn how to touch up an edge or at least get someone to do it for you. Test the edge before using. Doing those will vastly improve your reviews,and cuts.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Jan 1, 2020 22:55:18 GMT
You asked for a review and now you have become somewhat argumentative because you didn’t get a glowing report. You came across as an amateur not knowing his stuff. As you requested I’ll explain “Your “wardrobe” distracted from your subject.”. I thought it out of place considering your technique, and the head piece ridicules and I focused on that more than the sword, it did not make you appear more authoritative. I didn’t mention in my original reply but your technique leaves a something to be desired questioning your abilities and/or knowledge. So you didn’t receive a sword as sharp as you would like to have, big deal. And you are considering on returning on that basis with scratches after a cutting session. You should have given it the paper test if you wanted verify its sharpness. You asked, and I do not care to carry on a dialog as there is nothing to be gained.
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Post by pvsampson on Jan 1, 2020 23:16:24 GMT
Watched the cutting again. At 4:25 there is a cut indicating that the sword is indeed sharp enough to actually perform.
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Post by lioconvoy on Jan 2, 2020 0:14:36 GMT
I told you why I'm not going to touch it up. You have yet to explain exactly why it's "not fair" to expect a weapon to work out of the box based on the manufacturer's claim. I'd like to know more.
I never really cared for those "tests", so no.
Several years. If you have some actual critique though, I'd love to hear it! You're being pretty vague here, my dude.
I think you're confusing my intent with these reviews with your personal value system, my dude.
It was a longetivity test, considering how much that weapon had been abused. I stated as much in the video.
That would defeat the purpose and intent of my reviews. But thank you for the input!
No, I asked for a critique, and I am replying to those in hopes of an understanding. If I were being argumentative, I would've actually gotten ugly here. I'm very direct in how I communicate. It is unusual for you to have someone respond?
Tell me how.
That......really seems super subjective. And more of a personal issue. But I appreciate you voicing it!
By all means; expound on that.
I found a product unsatisfactory, and this it did not live up to the manufacturer's claim. I asked you earlier, and you didn't respond, so I'll ask you again: is this unusual where you're from? Also, the blase isn't scratched, so I literally have no idea what you're talking about here.
Hey man, that's on you. I guess you're not used to getting replied to. I appreciate the input though; vague as it was!
A single cut that needed to be powered through is not indicative of a good edge or a good sword. Literally any of my CAS save my original PK outperforms it.
It's pretty clear I didn't do this in the way you personally would prefer, but I've stated my direction with how I plan to conduct these reviews. Constantly telling me how I should touch up a blade out of box is counter-intuitive to a desire to show how they work upon arrival.
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Post by pvsampson on Jan 2, 2020 0:35:34 GMT
You asked for critique and got it. Now you are arguing.
Your cutting technique was crap and it showed. You made one good cut and it proved that the blade will do the job. You are blaming the blade which is wrong. It has been suggested that you test the edge first,which is what good reviewers do. Yet you refuse to accept that would be an improvement on your reviews.
You are just being argumentative so I will now be honest. That was a really crappy review because of your really crappy preparation and really crappy techniques.
Have a nice day.
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Post by lioconvoy on Jan 2, 2020 1:08:23 GMT
Responding =/= arguing. Please learn the difference.
Yet you can't expound to me on HOW. Incredible.
I've explained this multiple times, so now I'll start getting ugly so that you can know the difference in the future:
I told you no less than three times what I'm going for and where I stand. If you struggle with understand that so much, I recommend you learn how to read. Maybe get tested.
Yet you can't/won't link to a reviewer. Nor will you tell me HOW it's somehow "what good reviewers do". Learn to formulate better than a 10 year old next time, ok champ?
No, I'm pretty sure you think it's "crappy" because it doesn't cater to your personal preference on how you THINK a sword should be reviewed.
You've failed to explain HOW my technique is "crappy".
You've failed to explain WHY someone should "touch up the edge".
You've failed to understand the concept I'm working on here in favor of just throwing a fit that I don't do a review in the personal ways you value.
That's a pretty stupid amount of nonsense to put forth while simultaneously calling someone a novice. Maybe you should learn how to read as well as expound on a thought instead of just getting super upsetti spaghetti that someone disagrees with your personal value system? Maybe? Just.....maybe?
I recommend Hooked on Phonics.
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Post by pvsampson on Jan 2, 2020 1:47:45 GMT
Responding =/= arguing. Please learn the difference. Yet you can't expound to me on HOW. Incredible. I've explained this multiple times, so now I'll start getting ugly so that you can know the difference in the future: I told you no less than three times what I'm going for and where I stand. If you struggle with understand that so much, I recommend you learn how to read. Maybe get tested. Yet you can't/won't link to a reviewer. Nor will you tell me HOW it's somehow "what good reviewers do". Learn to formulate better than a 10 year old next time, ok champ? No, I'm pretty sure you think it's "crappy" because it doesn't cater to your personal preference on how you THINK a sword should be reviewed. You've failed to explain HOW my technique is "crappy". You've failed to explain WHY someone should "touch up the edge". You've failed to understand the concept I'm working on here in favor of just throwing a fit that I don't do a review in the personal ways you value. That's a pretty stupid amount of nonsense to put forth while simultaneously calling someone a novice. Maybe you should learn how to read as well as expound on a thought instead of just getting super upsetti spaghetti that someone disagrees with your personal value system? Maybe? Just.....maybe? I recommend Hooked on Phonics. LOL. You asked for critique and I gave it. Simple. Look for skallagrim for reviews as an example. Your technique is actually very poor. Bouncing before cuts? WTF is that? Your footwork is all over the place and you are swinging that sword like a crowbar. I said enough on sharpening. Throw a fit??? LOLOL. Also never said you are a novice, just that your review and technique are crappy. You asked for opinions and those are my opinions. This isn't an anime or cartoon review,it is a sword review that you wanted critiqued. I critiqued it with my opinions nicely at first and then you questioned those with an argumentative intent and I responded with how I honestly feel about your review. I have said my last here. Edit: First link that came up for skallagrim videos Go to 5:00 and look at what he does lol.
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Post by lioconvoy on Jan 2, 2020 1:57:05 GMT
Gets the blood flowing because it was cold outside. If this is the level of critique you're trying, then I really recommend getting tested. I also noticed you can't comment further than "you bounced a bit". Does your IQ even reach double digits? ....you actually don't know anything about technique, do you? Stepping with the cut is common in literally every form of fencing. Do you actually cut, or do you just try and tell other people how to? Yeah, and I said enough on how you clearly can't read because you're stupid enough to keep going on about it. Hyperbole. It's a hard word for you to understand, I'm sure. As you're not all that bright. 1. Responding isn't argumentative. If you think so, you need a CAT scan. Or learn to socialize better. Or both. 2. You have literally no way to tell what my intent is in text unless I directly tell you. And I have. Not my fault you're thick. I'm sure you'll be back. Stupid people have a hard time learning. I get you're super upset that I didn't give this sword glowing praise. But I promise; with time and reading lessons, you should get over it. Edit: About SG's video: I really don't care if he and everyone else cuts paper. I'm not going to, and I told you why. Again, please learn how to read. Fire all two of your brain-cells and try REALLY hard to understand that. Edit 2: I got curious and peeked at your post history. ......you literally don't have an actual instructor, and "train" in your living room. Maybe you should study under an actual instructor before you try and talk about someone's "poor technique". Holy crap you're dumb.
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Post by pvsampson on Jan 2, 2020 6:14:18 GMT
Ok I can't resist. Seriously laughing at you for resorting to childish name calling for getting the critique you asked for.I do not recall insulting at all,only stating my opinion on your video.
Also,I have trained plenty with swords,just not Iaido,and I only train inside when the heat is over 38 degrees and the smoke from fires is so thick it is dangerous to go outside.For one that was denigrating my reading comprehension you seem to have skipped over that.
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Post by lioconvoy on Jan 2, 2020 6:40:10 GMT
Like I said: Stupid has a hard time learning.
"I'm laughing" is ALWAYS the response of upset people trying to hide that they're upset.
I'm not insulting you for giving a critique; I'm insulting you for being too stupid to read, and for repeating your values when I already made clear why they're not a value I hold. That's something only an idiot does. You're not trying to "critique" at that point: you're just getting upset that someone's not doing what you want.
You actively insulted my form and abilities, while being smooth-brained enough to not be able to tell me how I'm actually wrong. Try again, Scooter.
Your laughable lack of knowledge and objective inability to articulate flaws says otherwise. You'll have to try the sophistry on someone dumb enough to fall for it.
No balls.
Skipping over =/= not caring about your excuses.
You have no instructor. All you do is watch videos and try to emulate. And here you are, trying to run your mouth about other people's techniques. You're an absolute joke.
"He that teaches himself has a fool for a master. -- Benjamin Franklin"
But go on......tell me about all that you learned from youtube.
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Post by Jordan Williams on Jan 2, 2020 7:04:45 GMT
So I have actually trained under an instructor - your cutting is poor because your form is poor. You look very nervous when you move and swing, as well. To be more precise I would have to watch it more and break it down but honestly, I don't really want to.
A sword does not need to be sharp to cut tatami.
John Clements so a meme within himself but still a decent video.
Just curious, how long did you soak the mats for?
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Post by pvsampson on Jan 2, 2020 7:06:12 GMT
No Iaido instructor. That is purely studying Hataya videos intently,as my Sifu taught me to observe and understand body movement.Hand placement,foot placement,posture...stuff like that.Also a bit difficult to train with an instructor when there are none within 200km. I have never hidden that,and Iaido is not my focus. But I was not referring to any specific style when I commented on your poor technique.
Anyway you're childish responses are repetitive and most would be banned for them here.
Again,have a nice day.
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Post by Jordan Williams on Jan 2, 2020 7:06:28 GMT
Also on the wardrobe, I think what Gandy is getting at is that the cartoon esque lion head distracts from the actual product you're reviewing. Keep in mind you're not the subject of the video, the object is.
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Post by lioconvoy on Jan 2, 2020 10:57:17 GMT
Then your comments on my form have no value to me. Outright.
No instructor = no value to specificity to your comment.
Now on to Mr. Williams:
I'm not going to tell you what to do, but if my form IS bad, it's not going to really get any better unless someone that also has training (like you) actually breaks down what I'm doing wrong here.
The only thing that comes to mind that I was nervous about was:
1. The stand not falling over.
2. Not wanting to hurt my hands again after the first time it shot the impact into them.
Other than that, I'm really not nervous.
FLATOFMYSTROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG
24 hours. I've had some people comment that the way some of the tatami split is a bit off, and they thought it might've been dry. But it was definitely soaked for a day.
I get that, but I'm currently obscuring the face for reasons that would take a while to fully explain here. That critique is 100% understandable, though.
Yeah, that's why I'm not too overly concerned about the outlier of people that may not like the wardrobe of the helmet. I might find a better solution for the future videos.
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