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Post by ragebot on May 17, 2024 18:54:12 GMT
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Post by mrstabby on May 17, 2024 19:19:22 GMT
The one handed gim is pretty normal for a Jian. There are different versions of the Jian, some heavier, some lighter, but it seems pretty normal, quite similar to surviving Ming-era examples. 1kg/36oz is not heavy at all in my eyes for a battle-ready sword. Han and warring era jian are a bit lighter, but also don't have a real guard.
I think most bad reviews stem from bad quality control, which is a bit common issue for some CS product lines. Depending on how cheaply you can get the Gim, I would recommend getting something from LK Chen.
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Post by ragebot on May 17, 2024 19:57:09 GMT
The one handed gim is pretty normal for a Jian. There are different versions of the Jian, some heavier, some lighter, but it seems pretty normal, quite similar to surviving Ming-era examples. 1kg/36oz is not heavy at all in my eyes for a battle-ready sword. Han and warring era jian are a bit lighter, but also don't have a real guard. I think most bad reviews stem from bad quality control, which is a bit common issue for some CS product lines. Depending on how cheaply you can get the Gim, I would recommend getting something from LK Chen. I agree about the LK Chen stuff being better but not only are they more expensive there is also the delay in getting them (~US250 v $US500+ and two days from Amazon prime v crazy shipping stuff). Not saying the LK Chen stuff is not worth it just the Cold Steel for my purposes is a better bang for the buck. Most reviews say the Cold Steel one handed gim is about six ounces heavier than one would expect from traditional designs but due to good balance it is not such a big deal. Bottom line is my OP was about me choosing a one handed gim or a two handed gim and I am still looking for an answer. I have looked at some LK Chen jians and his two handed jians have much longer handles and reviews are that they are more spear like than sword like while the Cold Steel two handed gim has a much shorter handle and is more sword oriented than spear/pole arm oriented. In any case I am not wedded to the Cold Steel if I can find a better option for a beater gim/jian that is sword oriented and not spear oriented. |
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AndiTheBarvarian
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on May 17, 2024 20:03:34 GMT
Buy both!
Sooner or later...
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Post by pellius on May 17, 2024 20:08:12 GMT
As I understand it, gim were historically smaller and lighter than the CS version. That said, the reviews that I can recall reading over the past few years were pretty favorable for the CS one hand gim.
I’ve been told there is a use for two handers in some systems, but my school only ever used one handers.
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AndiTheBarvarian
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Bavarianbarbarian - Semper Semprini
Posts: 10,327
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on May 17, 2024 20:37:40 GMT
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Post by ragebot on May 17, 2024 20:37:56 GMT
Buy both! Sooner or later... Probably true. |
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AndiTheBarvarian
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"Lord of the Memes"
Bavarianbarbarian - Semper Semprini
Posts: 10,327
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on May 17, 2024 20:40:35 GMT
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Post by larason2 on May 18, 2024 2:04:06 GMT
I'd get a one hander. You can still hand and a half most of them. I now have two (a Ming and a Chu era), and they are quite comfortable hand and a half. But the traditional style and as I understand training is using only one hand. The two handers exist, but they were still relatively uncommonly used even in the eras when they were popular. Swords like the Katana are still used one hand, even though they have a hilt big enough for two.
Another point is you can get a monosteel LK Chen Jian, for instance the Gale Wind, for $300. The pattern welded one is more, but I wouldn't get pattern welded steel for a beater.
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Post by mrstabby on May 18, 2024 6:24:43 GMT
I'd get a one hander. You can still hand and a half most of them. I now have two (a Ming and a Chu era), and they are quite comfortable hand and a half. But the traditional style and as I understand training is using only one hand. The two handers exist, but they were still relatively uncommonly used even in the eras when they were popular. Swords like the Katana are still used one hand, even though they have a hilt big enough for two. Another point is you can get a monosteel LK Chen Jian, for instance the Gale Wind, for $300. The pattern welded one is more, but I wouldn't get pattern welded steel for a beater. The CS Gim has too short a grip for hand-and-half, only one hand unless you have small hands.
And AFIAK gim is just another name for jian.
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Post by larason2 on May 18, 2024 11:30:59 GMT
That's fair, it's hard to tell from the pictures. Given that it makes sense to go for an LKC Jian, they are pretty authentic, and it's nice to have the option of the extra half hand. That's what I thought regarding gim/jian, I think it has to do with what romanization system is used.
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Post by mrstabby on May 18, 2024 11:54:49 GMT
There is also a "Battle Gim" from CS. I have seen the Gim on sale some time ago in the US for under 150$, but if they are around the same price I's definately go with the LK Chen one. Although using it two handed isn't really as comfortable as a real bastardsword, it's definately possible. About the steel if only for cutting definately go for the monosteel. It is noticeably more robust than 1055/1065, and you will scratch the pattern when you use it.
EDIT: BTW there is now a new Jian, single handed like the Gim, but much lighter. Really have my eyes on it if it ever pops up inside the EU. |
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