LK Chen Magnificent Chu Jian Review: Part 1
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- Опубликовано: 30 сен 2024
- This is a part 1 review of the Magnificent Chu Jian. I will do a follow up review when I have a chance. For the moment this review covers general build quality and dynamics.
Part 2 here - • LK Chen Magnificent Ch...
Blade Specs:
Hilt: 7”
Grip: 6”
Pommel: .13”
Blade: 31”
Width @ Cross: 1.37”
Thickness @ Cross: .24”
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Width @ 10” from Cross: 1.24”
Thickness @ 10” from Cross: .21”
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Width @ 20” from Cross: 1.08”
Thickness @ 20” from Cross: .14”
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Width @ 30” from Cross: .65”
Thickness @ 30” from Cross: .135”
Total: 38”
Weight: 1lb 10.7oz
POB: 6.5” from Cross
MSRP: $370
Weapon Dynamics Specs:
Mass 756.9322674375001
Hilt Extremity 0
Grip Reference 17.78
Blade Extremity 96.52
Center of Gravity 34.29
Lever Reference 1
Hilt Node 15.875
Blade Node 70.485
Action Point 1.27
.5Pivot Point 48.56
Action Point 15.24
Pivot point 66.34
subcaelo.net/e...
Other Videos:
Sinkpoint’s Review:
• LK Chen Magnificent Ch...
Matt Easton’s Review:
• 2200 Year Old Chinese ...
Skall’s Reivew:
• Ancient Chinese Sword ...
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Link to the new patreon spot - / krunan
Link to my ebay sales page - www.ebay.com/us...
Completely agreed - this is one of my absolute favourite swords from LK Chen.
we spell favorite without the u in these parts.
I hope they do a truly premium line one day over $1k.
During Warring states china, at least for nobles swords such as this; you did see that incredibly fussy fit and finish that good japanese swords are known for.
@@tsmspace USAsians lmao
@@anasevi9456 email them, I'm sure you will get an option. That sort of thing is a customization that people get a lot within china. Normally the sword dealers there are actually TRYING to sell things like that,, but it's generally contact the maker type of orders. ,,,
@@tsmspace i thought they dont sell inside china
Great review Matthew. This sword was already the next on my list to pick up (and I'll be adding the hidden hilt dao as well). My very first sword was a Jian (Noble Plants Jian from Iron Tiger), as I just love the way Chinese swords look, but as I learned more about sword construction and use, I realized the one I bought wasn't great - either in construction or handling. I'm excited to try out some of the LK Chen offerings, I've heard nothing but good things!
Let me know what you think when you get it.
Yeah LK Chen sticks to far more historic blades [actually downright ancient given most are from roman times],
not just in fittings but the geometry of the blades.
However the quality, outside of the blades themselves; seems somewhat throttled by the low price point. Not crap, but not as top shelf exquisite as finer examples of the time would have been.
That sucks I love the way that Jian looks. I was gonna grab one too.
@@anasevi9456 Personally I prefer the kind-of rugged and mass-produced look when it comes to swords that were made en-masse in their time anyways. Making a soldier's weapon look immaculate or overly ornate seems like a waste of time and resources imo. It's a matter of personal preferance of course, and FWIW these days LK Chen is making premium "Ultra" versions of some of their models, which is also super sick and hopefully brings some joy to those of us that do want that pristine fit and finish.
Love my Soaring Sky from LK Chen! Definitely not a rapier, never could cut tatami with a rapier. But this is a true cut and thrust. Only complaint is that the scabbard is too tight and now has a small split. They are also difficult to get razor sharp, but they don’t need to be razor sharp to cut!
I have been occasionally conversing with a swordmaker in Longquan whom I met on facebook, and the impression that I got is that the special craftsmanship that is involved in things like a perfectly shaped blade route in the guard and the bits and bobs on the casting is a very high status market. Basically, it doesn't cost much to get to functional, but the smiths make their big dollar sales from the markup of decorative craftsmanship. (the chinese market culture of swords is heavily geared around basically handle upgrade selection because for expensive houses and displays that's the part that is the most oohed and aahed). Basically, LK chen is probably one of these makers that is trying to aim at the people (like me) who really want every bit of function without needing to pay for anything that a utilitarian would deem unnecessary. As it happens, historical accuracy is not always what people are shopping for,, first of all they do not have training and historically accurate swords have compromises that make them harder to use for certain things (yes, lighter is better, unless you suck, then heavier cuts for sure). ,,,, anyway my comment was meant to say that the careful details in a handguard are a huge part of the chinese sword market, with prices going up very quickly for many of the details, , basically because of how much people will pay for it when they really want it (mantlepiece in a wealthy home),, and also because actually it's a humungous increase in labor from basic utilitarian assembly.
I will argue that although the casting blobs and gap,,, actually those are decisions that happen from far away, ,, while the care of craftsmanship is still present on those details that they did decide to make sure was particular.
sorry,, one more comment.. I have been absolutely self amazed by the least expected sword,, a windlass 1840 nco sword , ,, LK chen's swords offer a certain awe factor in that you gain respect for a very small and unassuming piece of metal,,, I have to say that I don't know if you've had a spadroon, and if you haven't ,, I think you might enjoy playing with one, my windlass 1840 cuts bottles really well, and it's pretty affordable, you might want to play with one if you've never done so (although I am to understand that spadroons are often of the more affordable antiques, and likely they are superior) ---- consider this a topic request/suggestion, I would be interested to hear your perspective on spadroons, as you are casually a katana "expert" with a bunch of other toys. -- but mostly I think you would enjoy it, it was a bit eye opening for me.
Let's hope LK have better success with the Intl mkt than their predecessors, Jin-shi & Hanwei.
www.sword-buyers-guide.com/hanwei-chinese-swords.html
@@tsmspace aren't the windlass spadroons not that good quality though...
@@possumsam2189 wasn't Jin shi really good while they were around?
One great looking blade... a nice balance between form and function...
To fill in gaps by guards and Blades you can use beeswax or unflavored dental wax and kind of push down in the area and it keeps water from going in that Gap to the Tang.
I'm not sure if beeswax was ever used historically to do such but it wouldn't surprise me entirely either
Small wooden or brass shims work as well.
@@kleinjahr shims are definitely a more permanent solution.
One can also fill with an epoxy, but that can be messy.
Wax is temporary, but easy.
Just push the wax into the gap & it fills out, plus is generally water tight. Shims, unless fit very well, are not as water tight.
Shims do far better job stopping guards from wiggling/rattling however.
Isn't that basically how tulwar were fit except it's a glue vs wax.
@@bmxriderforlife1234 I believe so. I think it's a type of pitch they used, like boiled sap with possible other additives. It comes out like the clear, often yellow, epoxy some hammers have to help hold their heads on.
Good review, I'm not entirely interested in Chinese swords as well but it was a good review, can't wait to see how it holds up to torture!
hi, I always follow your videos and thank you for what you do.
I would like to ask you a question: have you already tested the robustness and reliability of this wonderful sword?
I have not done anything else with this sword sense this video. I am looking forward to doing more with it but I have not pushed it further yet.
Are you married to 2 different people?
I'm not understanding the 2 thumbs down. What's not to like?
Happens for a lot of reasons. I prefer people let me know why they don't like the video but a dislike is better than nothing.
@@Matthew_Jensen agreed
i love your videos (:
Yo so can u possibly do a red and black real katana review cuz I can’t rlly find any red and black katanas
By red and black what do you mean. Like the blade? Or the saya(sheath) or the tsuka(handle)
@@bmxriderforlife1234 the saya
I kinda want one but with a slightly bigger handle and blade. I wonder if they'd let me custom order one that way.
Depending on their casting set up maybe pay for cast solid silver fittings. Idk silver is nicer then gold or gold colored to me.
they dont do costom orders like that
@@micahcampa most places will if you're willing to pay a grand on top of whatever they want for the custom options. A grand profit is a grand profit.
@@micahcampa I shut down an entire jewelry factory line for a chain I had made. Same deal.
@@bmxriderforlife1234 well he does not have the Materials and his mission is to historically accurate weapons not fancy swords he is trying to make the swords the soldiers had and lower class insted of the solid gold jade fittings
Look at their flying Phoenix model, it's a less complex blade geometry, diamond shaped with no fillers and a 34 inch blade with a handle big enough for 2 hands, I just got one and it's unreal, skallagrim has a review of both swords side by side
I don't know man, the fit and finish looks a little below standard at that price.
Do you have an example or two of something you think is better for the $400 general pricepoint?
that's crazy. they could jack the price way up imo.
Jian ....correction! !!
not good with that gap....great review Matt love your camera angles...just not really into lk chen for their price...searching for a Chinese sword company that executes better...great organized review...cheers
I am not sure what the appropriate execution of cross guard gap is for these swords. From a historical perspective I have seen a number of European swords with similar gaps, and some with very tight tolerances. It does not seem off par for swords in the $400 range but again hard to say. To me the perk of LK Chen stuff is the dynamics, there are other pros but the dynamics of the sword are at the top of the list. A number of the chinese swords I have felt were over built. I am not sure what options there are for Chinese swords out there that feel like a sword should.
@@Matthew_Jensen I'm trying to look into...if jkoo will get me a sample of their Chinese sword line up, they look ok on paper and pics, and their priced better...but maybe I'm expecting too much...great that they are giving you so many samples though
They might be sending one my way at some point. Hard to say when.
@@Matthew_Jensen that would be great, they will send one to you way before me...lol..great job on your subs Matt!! gave you another shout out on my most recent video
Thanks for the shout out. As for samples, it is an odd bit. It is not always easy to get samples, I ask often enough but it is rare to have anyone take me up.
Apparently yours is just the katana no more!!!!
You did not make a chinese move with Juan!!!!!
I don't know how and stated as much a number of times in the video. Pretending I do would not be very helpful.
Ah yes, the Chinese Juan