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Post by ikiosho on Jan 19, 2024 22:19:21 GMT
My wife may hate to see this, but here I am again investigating a way to expand my collection, and to solicit recommendations from you lovely people.
Thanks to perusing these forums, I have ended up with one of SBG's Krom Killers and a Windlass Long Hewing Spear, and now I am looking for something that gives quite a different experience...
I am looking for a budget sword that is slender, agile to control, thrust capable, and good for light back yard use. I do not care much about the details of ornamentation or historical accuracy. To me, jian or smallswords seem perfect to meet those criteria, but I am here to learn.
It seems that Sinosword has some fine budget jian, though I understand the general reputation for QC that they have. From what I can tell, there's not a huge market for budget smallswords or rapier, at least that are very reliable. I understand the benefits of saving for a nicer sword like an LK Chen, but I don't find I would use it enough to justify the cost.
Love to see your recommendations and personal anecdotes!
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Jan 19, 2024 22:50:44 GMT
Windlass 1840 NCO spadroon APOC jian Anecdotes: cheap, fun (Did you try the hewing spear blade without a shaft? Not? Try it!)
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Post by ikiosho on Jan 20, 2024 1:20:29 GMT
Love it! I'll definitely check out the NCO.
I thought I had seen bad reviews on the APOC line but if you've had good experiences I'd keep digging.
I haven't tried the head by itself yet but good to know!
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Post by pellius on Jan 20, 2024 1:31:24 GMT
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Post by pellius on Jan 20, 2024 1:38:55 GMT
I do have a little experience with a few inexpensive longquan jian, though. They were always sturdy, but too long and way too heavy for me to do any jian work / fencing practice. Fine for general backyard sword activities, though.
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Post by ikiosho on Jan 20, 2024 1:47:05 GMT
I competed in a few amateur sabre fencing tournaments in college. Definitely not going to claim I'll do serious fencing drills with a new sharp, but some familiarity would be nice. Good to know.
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Post by larason2 on Jan 20, 2024 2:01:24 GMT
I have a bare blade from Jkoo/Sinosword, and it's pretty good. I think their affordable Jian looks pretty good, it even has "damascus" steel. Their 9260 blade looks pretty good too.
Basically, at that price point, provided you don't go for a stainless wall hanger, you'll do pretty good. You may have some blemishes and imperfections in the fittings, but that's par for the course at this price point. My Jkoo came sharp enough to cut, that's the other thing to watch out for. The rest comes down to preference. I like the Ming Jian style, and that's sort of what they both are. There are lots of other styles for a similar price though. If you just want it for a handy cutter, should be ok.
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Post by Turok on Jan 20, 2024 2:07:56 GMT
I agree with pellius! The Cold Steel gim is nice, sharp and I would recommend it!
What kind of smallsword are you thinking of? The Cold Steel smallsword is great for the value but it has no cutting edge like many historical 18th century smallswords. It has a triangular cross-section and is meant for thrusting.
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mrstabby
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Post by mrstabby on Jan 20, 2024 8:49:18 GMT
The CS smallsword has become pretty pricy, I don't know why, but it's almost never available for under 400$ or 500€. Very few available it seems.
The Hanwei Practical Tai-Chi swords (there are at least 2 different hilts and multiple length options available) seem to be very cheap and functional (don't come sharp though), honestly I'd double the money and go for an LK Chen any time again. Some times LK Chen stuff pops up for a very good price second hand here.
I have had a few cheap Jian and all had hilt constructions I wouldn't trust too much unfortunately, but your miles may vary since I have no idea who made these. If you get a Sinosword, please leave a review, I am interested how their Jian fares.
There are a few US civil war officers sabers in that price range. These should be capable as well. I have an cavalry officer sword incoming, we'll see how it does.
The weird thing is, here in europe the CS Gim actuallycosts more than the LK Chen offerings. In the beginning I was a bit baffled that it was held up as a budget offering until I saw the price difference.
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Post by ikiosho on Jan 20, 2024 22:15:52 GMT
I agree with pellius! The Cold Steel gim is nice, sharp and I would recommend it! What kind of smallsword are you thinking of? The Cold Steel smallsword is great for the value but it has no cutting edge like many historical 18th century smallswords. It has a triangular cross-section and is meant for thrusting. Yeah definitely I want to do some light cutting, but otherwise I'm not well educated on what options for small swords are out there. I'm tempted by the aforementioned spadroon, but still by a budget jian also. The choices!
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rschuch
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Sharp blades are good to have, if Shire-folk go walking, east, south, far away into dark and danger.
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Post by rschuch on Jan 22, 2024 17:27:42 GMT
I was looking for a decent jian for a year or so and a Scott Rodell one finally showed up for sale for $150. I think someone else was selling theirs recently too. Just be patient and get something with good reviews.
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Post by mrstabby on Jan 22, 2024 17:41:14 GMT
The Rodell and the LK Chen Ming jian (Grand Marshal but specifically Gale Wind) are pretty similar, The Rodell has a longer grip, and it came pretty dull compared to the LK Chen swords. I also don't like the rough finish on some of the Hanweis, it makes any sharpening mistakes show up really well, on the other hans it holds on to oil well. If you can get the Rodell for cheap, they are almost identical in wieldability, length and durability. The only thing the Rodell can the LK can't is disassembly, the LKs are heavily glued. Yeah, there s one still on offer I believe, as part of a collection reduction.
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Post by ikiosho on Jan 22, 2024 19:06:04 GMT
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Post by mrstabby on Jan 22, 2024 19:31:58 GMT
I have found rat tail tangs being mentioned, so might survive, might not. They seem to be primarily for show, not use. JKOO/sinosword seems to be the only decent low price option.
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Post by larason2 on Jan 22, 2024 19:35:52 GMT
They don't look too bad, though I probably wouldn't go for the first two, since I don't like how thin the Habaki looks, and the handle doesn't look very traditional. Also, on the second one, there's an obvious crack on the scabbard! Strange they would advertise that. I also really like han dynasty style swords.
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mrstabby
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Post by mrstabby on Jan 22, 2024 19:37:57 GMT
They don't look too bad, though I probably wouldn't go for the first two, since I don't like how thin the Habaki looks, and the handle doesn't look very traditional. Also, on the second one, there's an obvious crack on the scabbard! Strange they would advertise that. I also really like han dynasty style swords. Been looking around and some reviews also mention cracked sheaths and "rapid self disassembly" because the glue gave out.
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Post by ikiosho on Jan 22, 2024 19:41:34 GMT
I realized after posting that the first two are sold out anyway! Excellent points though - thank you for looking out.
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Post by mrstabby on Jan 22, 2024 19:44:11 GMT
The Katana seem better quality for some reason. It looks like the chinese want primarily wallhangers, and the cheaper offerings do fit in that cathegory. Honestly in cheaper stuff I always have bad feelings when I see laminated steel/Damascus.
And the last sword, if it really is 7lbs, thats bad.
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Post by ikiosho on Jan 22, 2024 19:59:54 GMT
I take that to mean the shipping weight, they state something lower further in the page lol
I had watched that swordsage video too! Sinosword seems like the move for a (budget) jian... Mostly I need to make up my mind about what I want.
The Windlass Munich Town Guard also looks nice, but from what I'm reading it is heavier than most would expect.
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Post by mrstabby on Jan 22, 2024 20:06:22 GMT
Yeah, everybody hates Munich
It isn't a nimble sword, LK Chen has made a new, better version. Also costs more. For a beginner I would not recommend it. Maybe if you know you like heavy swords. You need to keep in mind it's a single handed sword, and it is over 1500g/3,3lbs advertised weight.
EDIT: To be clear, it is a good sword in all, but it's heavy. I mean the basket hilt swords are all heavy, but most people seem to prefer others of the type.
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