LK Chen - Flying Phoenix FULL review now
Mar 19, 2023 14:02:44 GMT
Post by jester on Mar 19, 2023 14:02:44 GMT
The Flying Phoenix jian is renown to be LK Chen "masterpiece".
It has been reviewed several times by people like Matt Easton, Swordsage, Sifukuttel, Skallagrim and their opinion was overwhelmingly positive, praising its balance, nimbleness, sharpness and cutting ability as well as the attention to details LKC puts behind it.
I will not do a full review then but I do feel the need to point out how my experience turned out as LKC totally deserves it.
I ordered it on Dec 20th, it arrived on Mar 17th (although in the middle there were Xmas break, Chinese new year and a 3 weeks global shipping stop in China due to some local issues) so I'd say a very reasonable delivery time.
The sword arrived very well packed:
The oiled blade had a shaped plastic wrap, then inserted into its scabbard.
The full sword was then placed in a plastic vacuum packed wrap, then into a nice yellow silk swordbag, then wrapped in bubblewrap. This was then placed in a polystyrene rectangular box made to shape, and then in a classic cardboard box with extra padding on both ends. The full box reached me undamaged and in pristine condition, as well as its content.
As soon as it arrived, LKC emailed me asking how was the shipping, if the box made it safely and, most of all, if I was happy with the sword. I was happy about it, it shows real care.
Upon inspection, the sword showed some issues:
- it was perfectly straight, very light, extremely well balanced and super nimble, as expected.
- it was quite sharp but less than expected (still very functional tho) and with a beautiful damascus pattern.
- assembly was tight; nothing moves anywhere, great handle (I asked for the old cord instead of the new suede) and beautiful ornate pommel.
- the blade had some "stains". I could not establish if they were oil stain or else (maybe the blade had some dirty spots when the acid etching was applied or the polish was done wrongly in those areas).
- the scabbard had instead several bumps and marks. The painting was applied poorly in some areas, especially at the bottom where there was also a 17mm chipping. Retention is loose and sword falls out when upside down (might be climate change, wood tends to behave like that). There is also rattle and a the blade tends to bind into the wood in some parts when putting it into the scabbard.
The overall impression was this sword was made "in a rush", without the usual care for details expected from LKC.
I replied to their email, describing everything and adding some pictures (the same as below).
LKC immediately replied: they sent first of all their genuine apologies, confirmed "this is no good" and "we will make it right", asking to be patient and wait for their next email the day after (was midnight in China then).
Their second email stated they were still investigating the pictures and the possible causes for blade stains and scabbard, but in the meanwhile they sent me (for free) a polishing cloth from Cape Cod in case I wanted to try it on the stains.
Shortly after, they emailed me again saying they were sorry for this jian and were already forging me a brand new one, free of charge, as a replacement. They also asked me when would it have been convenient for me to receive it as they remembered I would have been on a short holiday next month. Didn't even ask to return the current one in my possession.
I am absolutely amazed.
This is an outstanding customer service, a genuine testament of someone who not only cares about customers but also stands by his product.
We all know problems and/or mistakes happen but LKC definitely MAKES IT RIGHT if it happens.
This is definitely a company one can trust and I am hugely satisfied with this experience even if it didn't start in the best way.
Thank you LK Chen.
It has been reviewed several times by people like Matt Easton, Swordsage, Sifukuttel, Skallagrim and their opinion was overwhelmingly positive, praising its balance, nimbleness, sharpness and cutting ability as well as the attention to details LKC puts behind it.
I will not do a full review then but I do feel the need to point out how my experience turned out as LKC totally deserves it.
I ordered it on Dec 20th, it arrived on Mar 17th (although in the middle there were Xmas break, Chinese new year and a 3 weeks global shipping stop in China due to some local issues) so I'd say a very reasonable delivery time.
The sword arrived very well packed:
The oiled blade had a shaped plastic wrap, then inserted into its scabbard.
The full sword was then placed in a plastic vacuum packed wrap, then into a nice yellow silk swordbag, then wrapped in bubblewrap. This was then placed in a polystyrene rectangular box made to shape, and then in a classic cardboard box with extra padding on both ends. The full box reached me undamaged and in pristine condition, as well as its content.
As soon as it arrived, LKC emailed me asking how was the shipping, if the box made it safely and, most of all, if I was happy with the sword. I was happy about it, it shows real care.
Upon inspection, the sword showed some issues:
- it was perfectly straight, very light, extremely well balanced and super nimble, as expected.
- it was quite sharp but less than expected (still very functional tho) and with a beautiful damascus pattern.
- assembly was tight; nothing moves anywhere, great handle (I asked for the old cord instead of the new suede) and beautiful ornate pommel.
- the blade had some "stains". I could not establish if they were oil stain or else (maybe the blade had some dirty spots when the acid etching was applied or the polish was done wrongly in those areas).
- the scabbard had instead several bumps and marks. The painting was applied poorly in some areas, especially at the bottom where there was also a 17mm chipping. Retention is loose and sword falls out when upside down (might be climate change, wood tends to behave like that). There is also rattle and a the blade tends to bind into the wood in some parts when putting it into the scabbard.
The overall impression was this sword was made "in a rush", without the usual care for details expected from LKC.
I replied to their email, describing everything and adding some pictures (the same as below).
LKC immediately replied: they sent first of all their genuine apologies, confirmed "this is no good" and "we will make it right", asking to be patient and wait for their next email the day after (was midnight in China then).
Their second email stated they were still investigating the pictures and the possible causes for blade stains and scabbard, but in the meanwhile they sent me (for free) a polishing cloth from Cape Cod in case I wanted to try it on the stains.
Shortly after, they emailed me again saying they were sorry for this jian and were already forging me a brand new one, free of charge, as a replacement. They also asked me when would it have been convenient for me to receive it as they remembered I would have been on a short holiday next month. Didn't even ask to return the current one in my possession.
I am absolutely amazed.
This is an outstanding customer service, a genuine testament of someone who not only cares about customers but also stands by his product.
We all know problems and/or mistakes happen but LKC definitely MAKES IT RIGHT if it happens.
This is definitely a company one can trust and I am hugely satisfied with this experience even if it didn't start in the best way.
Thank you LK Chen.