Locally sourced jian?

josh stout · 23rd April 2007, 03:12 PM

Well they certainly are recent fakes. The one on the left is indeed pattern welded, but it is low quality work. My guess is that both of them weigh more than 1K have very soft steel, and are balanced too far toward the tip. There can also be issues with the tang being separately welded, but thankfully that is rare. If you use them for practice, they probably wont just come apart and send the blade spinning, but you never know. If you practice with these occasionally they will make you strong, but so would using a crowbar, and it might be safer. If you practice with these regularly they will begin to distort your movement. Once you find a genuine jian you will never want to look at these again.

Keep an eye on the swap forum. I will be posting an antique willow leaf saber soon.
Josh

kronckew · 23rd April 2007, 03:59 PM

thanks, josh. i'll keep my eyes out for it in the swap section....

i'm not into tai chi or anything that organised. i do prefer to have sharp users rather than dull wall hangers, and if i can pick up a cheap place-holder on ebay till a proper one comes along, i do. i like buying ones that are a bit distressed and have fun cleaning and doing some minor restoration.

i'd probably not swing one of these seriously as i'd need to do it outdoors and i'd probably get arrested for possession of an offensive weapon

, and i have ones i'd be inclined to pick up first.

if i WERE to swing one seriously i have a few modern steel replicas i'd be a lot more comfortable with, like this one from viktor berbekucz:

or a couple of antiques i'd bet my life on.

23rd April 2007, 03:12 PM	#1
josh stout Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 407	Well they certainly are recent fakes. The one on the left is indeed pattern welded, but it is low quality work. My guess is that both of them weigh more than 1K have very soft steel, and are balanced too far toward the tip. There can also be issues with the tang being separately welded, but thankfully that is rare. If you use them for practice, they probably wont just come apart and send the blade spinning, but you never know. If you practice with these occasionally they will make you strong, but so would using a crowbar, and it might be safer. If you practice with these regularly they will begin to distort your movement. Once you find a genuine jian you will never want to look at these again. Keep an eye on the swap forum. I will be posting an antique willow leaf saber soon. Josh

23rd April 2007, 03:59 PM	#2
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	thanks, josh. i'll keep my eyes out for it in the swap section.... i'm not into tai chi or anything that organised. i do prefer to have sharp users rather than dull wall hangers, and if i can pick up a cheap place-holder on ebay till a proper one comes along, i do. i like buying ones that are a bit distressed and have fun cleaning and doing some minor restoration. i'd probably not swing one of these seriously as i'd need to do it outdoors and i'd probably get arrested for possession of an offensive weapon , and i have ones i'd be inclined to pick up first. if i WERE to swing one seriously i have a few modern steel replicas i'd be a lot more comfortable with, like this one from viktor berbekucz: or a couple of antiques i'd bet my life on.