Weapon of the Week

[Drunk Monk]

Weapon of the Week is a major facet of DOOM lore. DM & the Yeti got to know each other as fencers. We met at a local high school to fence. And we started boasting of our weapon collection (which was minor back then because, well, we were still minors). We started bringing in weapons to show off to each other every week. 

Thus Weapon of the Week was born.

In some ways, I honored that while publishing KFTC with our Featured Weapon section. Every issue included a featured antique weapon, like sword porn. It got wild. For years, it was a struggle for me to hunt down weapons to feature. Then I was invited to visit my Sibak's man cave, where he had a stunning collection of over 300 pieces. We shot enough for several years to come. I was saving one of his best pieces ... too late now. I even toyed with making a centerfold page, but the cost was exorbitant.  

Recently I've been contacted by two swordmakers who asked if I would be open to reviewing their work if they sent me a sample. That's impossible for me to resist. 

A box from PRC is sitting before me now. I picked it up at Tiger Claw this afternoon and have been running about madly doing errands and such and haven't had the chance to open it yet. 

That's next...after I move my mom's laundry to the dryer.

[Dr. Ivor Yeti]

You are such a fucking TEASE!!!!!

[Drunk Monk]

[cranefly]

Could you at least shoot some footage of the dryer spinning, with a close-up now and then of the timer?

[Drunk Monk]

I have received three swords from LK Chen. Unfortunately you'll just have to follow the links because I cannot cut&paste the images easily.

https://lkchensword.com/shop/ols/product...al-han-dao

https://lkchensword.com/shop/ols/product...x-han-jian

https://lkchensword.com/shop/ols/product...t-chu-jian

All three are sharp. The blades are fine and light. You could really do some work with these. They are begging to stab and slice. I'm very impressed with the quality and the feel of these blades.  

The Han Dao is short and small, like a thin machete. This might become my new pillow sword.

The Flying Phoenix is simple and plain. It has a blade like a rapier. Makes me want to stab something.

The Magnificent Chu Jian is staggeringly beautiful with a tightly woven patterned steel grain and marvelous balance. It is the pick of the litter. I can hardly wait until I can take that one out for a spin.

This comes to just shy of $1K worth of steel. And I was happy when I got my $200+ Mortal Kombat box last week. 

I emailed them to confirm that the shipment arrived in good order and thank them. I inquired about wholesale rates. Only one company is distributing them now in the US - Kult of Athena. TC or YMAA might open up some markets because KoA is all about general swords, not specific to the Kung Fu community. When I broached the subject of wholesale, they said 'sure' and 'now that we know that the shipping works, let us know if you want samples of other weapons'. 

Life is good.

[Dr. Ivor Yeti]

Duuuuuude.

Total. Jelly.

That Magnificent Jian looks...magnificent!

The weights of the weapons are telling: Light. Most replicas are pigs. The Phoenix is the heaviest, the longest by a little, but also the only one without a fullered blade.

I would love to see them all, but that Magnificent Jian especially.

[Drunk Monk]

Absolutely. Next time your in the Cruz, I’ll be happy to show them off. 

I’m eager to take off the storage oil from the blades and look at them in good light.

They’ve been mainly marketing to HEMA peeps so if you visit their site, there’s a lot of cutting vids.

[King Bob]

So the Chinese weren't big on guards on their weapons?

[Drunk Monk]

Still aren’t. Same with Japanese. Actually same for a lot of Asian weapons, except for India.

[Dr. Ivor Yeti]

Yeah, India seemed to be where they said “Oh! That’s a good idea! Now let’s really go to town with it!” (Pata sword)

[Drunk Monk]

Exactly

Indian weapons are pretty cray. I keep hoping someone publishes a comprehensive overview.

[Drunk Monk]

The test drive: I liked the Phoenix best - excellent balance and it handles like a fine rapier. I like the cord grip wrap. It gives excellent purchase. This sword lives up to its name in how it flies through the air. It almost melds my epee and my jian training in the way that it handles.

The Chu is the prettiest but it’s a sconce top heavy for me. Plus I tend to choke up on the guard and that wasn’t comfortable. With some practice and adjustment, I could get used to it. But I probably won’t put the time it. This is more of a show piece. So pretty! It’d make a decent cutter. 

I don't know what to do with the dao. It’s too short for my form. More like a machete. It might become my new pillow sword.

The pattern welding is gorgeous on all three blades, especially the two jian.

The blades really sing when they slice. I could do some real damage with these. Tempting, so very tempting.

I need to celebrate every equinox with fresh steel.

[Dr. Ivor Yeti]

How are the pommels attached? Threaded, peened, threaded nut insert?

---

Did you take them apart?

[Drunk Monk]

The dao has a ring pommel and I can see the side plates of the handle. It doesn't look like it would disassemble easily. 

The jian pommels are solid caps that don't betray how they are attached. I haven't tried to unscrew them. It's solid and I don't want to mess with it. The fittings are solid tooled brass (cast guard, pommel and scabbard end cap for the Chu - or maybe finely machined - the relief images are really crisp so I'm leaning towards the latter).

[Drunk Monk]

And in today's email: 

Your Gale Wind has cleared the US Customs service in NYC and is now on its way to you.

It is going to reach the receiving location by early next week.

https://lkchensword.com/shop/ols/products/gale-wind