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Post by ragebot on May 23, 2024 17:58:41 GMT
My google kung fu has failed me in all the searches for this sword. The only thing I can find so far in terms of reviews is this vid. The only down side I have seen so far is the availability of the LK Chen D Guar Jian.
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AndiTheBarvarian
Member
"Lord of the Memes"
Bavarianbarbarian - Semper Semprini
Posts: 10,327
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on May 24, 2024 21:16:58 GMT
Sorry, no experience with this sword.
I remember a thread about the similarities and differences of jian and spadroons where I posted a picture of an antique jian with a d-guard.
I think it's really impressing how LK Chen holds up the flag for all the swords of Chinese history and not only reproduce katana and standard Chinese blades (beside their Euros).
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Post by ragebot on May 25, 2024 1:44:28 GMT
Sorry, no experience with this sword. I remember a thread about the similarities and differences of jian and spadroons where I posted a picture of an antique jian with a d-guard. I think it's really impressing how LK Chen holds up the flag for all the swords of Chinese history and not only reproduce katana and standard Chinese blades (beside their Euros). While several things in the vid stood out to me one thing I had never seen before was the shield that was used with Chinese fencing swords. While we all got a laugh out of the support buckler joke this shield really ups the ante in the game.   Attachments:
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Post by mrstabby on May 25, 2024 7:37:25 GMT
Look at LK Chens logo, you can see that shield. lkchensword.com/gou-rangKind of looks ridiculous at first glance, but is really ingenious, very good protection area with very little material, also spikes. |
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Post by ragebot on May 25, 2024 16:04:24 GMT
Look at LK Chens logo, you can see that shield. lkchensword.com/gou-rangKind of looks ridiculous at first glance, but is really ingenious, very good protection area with very little material, also spikes. Lots of links to vids in the link you posted that show just how effective that shield can be. Thanks for the intel. |
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Post by ragebot on Jun 21, 2024 5:17:28 GMT
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Post by mrstabby on Jun 21, 2024 6:20:26 GMT
Good. Very fast responses to questions and tried everything to resolve problems (which you won't have in the US due to customs being fussy).
They don't keep you up to date with every step but you can ask and they will answer any time, for me it took about 1 week longer than they said to finish the sword, but that's OK I think.
There are a lot of others who had the same experience (look around there is a thread somewhere), what they mean is they can't control shipping or customs once it leaves them and if it does not reach you and gets sent back, the items will 100% be lost - thats what they said to me: if customs turn the sword back it will get lost at chinese import customs....
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Post by larason2 on Jun 21, 2024 22:34:16 GMT
I also had a good experience. In my case, I ordered the swords via the website. They had to be made to order, but it didn't matter to me how long they took. They contacted me afterwards asking if I had any questions, which I did not. I ordered March 29th, they shipped May 7th, I got it on May 15th via UPS. Trying to navigate the postal systems and customs back into China is not easy, the odds of it being stolen, confiscated or abandoned are high. Shipping costs are high because swords are heavy and they are obliged to use non postal shipping companies and airmail so they are not waylaid.
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Post by eastman on Jun 22, 2024 1:46:11 GMT
I bought the Saxony rapier as a pre-order direct from LK Chen. Their communications are excellent throughout the process. Once it left their hands it was here in about a week (IIRC) and very securely packaged for the trek.
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Post by ragebot on Sept 29, 2024 1:21:37 GMT
I pulled the trigger on all three. The Sparing Shield Guard Han Jian and the D Guard Han Jian arrived in around a month along with an email that the Guo Rang would be delayed. The two swords arrived very well packaged with no damage. I made a poor quality cutting vid using the D Guard Han Jian. This is the most expensive sword I own and to my mind it is worth it. While I have made several cutting vids with lower quality swords I spent quality time sharpening I was shocked at how easily the out of the box D Guard cut. It almost seemed like it was pulling my hand through the water bottle. Bottom line is there is no question in my mind this sword is a keeper and well worth the money. The Sparing Shield Guard was as advertised and while I have not spared with it it does feel light and responsive. All in all both swords are quality weapons I am happy with. As for the Guo Rang it was not really what I was expecting. The original posting at the LK Chen site showed a black coating that I assumed was like the Cold Steel stuff. What arrived (and what is now on the LK Chen site) is all stainless steel. The email I got also mentioned that there was a redesign due to the danger of the originally designed spike but no mention of stainless steel. I have no doubt that during the Han period in China there was no stainless steel so while historical accuracy may come into question I am more than happy to have stainless steel being used. I do understand how some peeps would have concerns about this. Another minor issue (which I solved for less than five bucks) was that only rivets came and there were no nuts and bolts as advertised. A quick trip to Home Depot resulted in some nuts, bolts and washers. In any case here is a vid of the unboxing and assembly. While I wish there was a domestic source for LK Chen stuff I am pleased with the final result. |
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Post by eastman on Sept 29, 2024 4:09:30 GMT
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Post by pellius on Sept 29, 2024 12:30:47 GMT
Did I understand that correctly?
LKC shipped a product that the buyer had to assemble? With rivets?
Was that info included in their ads?
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Post by mrstabby on Sept 29, 2024 13:57:27 GMT
Did I understand that correctly? LKC shipped a product that the buyer had to assemble? With rivets? Was that info included in their ads? They do. Quote:
** NOTE **
To reduce delivery cost and damage to the Gou-Rang,
The Gou-Rang will be shipped with hand shield detached from the hook.
The package comes with 2 rivets.
The owner can use either rivet or bolt and nuts to attach the hand shield to the hook.
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Post by pellius on Sept 29, 2024 14:10:11 GMT
Ah
Okay then.
Fair enough.
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Post by mrstabby on Sept 29, 2024 14:25:14 GMT
I think they should include bolts though, or both. Most people don't have the equipment or knowledge to rivet something together with hot rivets.
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Post by pellius on Sept 29, 2024 18:25:48 GMT
“Some forge welding required”
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Post by ragebot on Sept 29, 2024 18:36:53 GMT
I did check the KoA site for all three of these products as well as sending two emails to KoA about me pre paying KoA for them if KoA could handle the importation; sad to say no answer from KoA. I just checked the KoA site and it seems identical to when I originally checked it. Not to mention that only two of the 43 LK Chen swords are listed as in stock. I am now a big fanboy of LK Chen stuff and have not seen anyone dissing his stuff; I just wish there was a reliable domestic source for the full line. |
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Post by ragebot on Sept 29, 2024 18:51:35 GMT
Here is a link to the vid that first got me interested in the Gou Rang. It shows the black coating, a much heavier spike, and nuts and bolts rather than rivets. All of this reflects what was shown in the original LK Chen ad. As I posted earlier over all I am happy with the changes and think they are an improvement. I also think using rivets is more historically accurate than nuts, bolts, and split lock washers.
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Post by eastman on Sept 29, 2024 22:32:25 GMT
I see 24 of 32 in stock at KoA. Some have options (standard, blemished, munitions) that have to be selected before it shows in stock.
Of course, if the items in stock aren't the ones that you are looking for then it doesn't help.
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Post by ragebot on Oct 1, 2024 3:40:57 GMT
I see 24 of 32 in stock at KoA. Some have options (standard, blemished, munitions) that have to be selected before it shows in stock. Of course, if the items in stock aren't the ones that you are looking for then it doesn't help. I sit corrected. I had misunderstood what the options link was. |
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