Attention Recent Buyers of Paul Chen Hanwei

[Brian Brazier]

=( I just got the Paul Chen Tea Culture Daisho from SOM and I am furious, the quality control is non existent with these swords. The Katana saya has bubble in the lacquer, and the Wakizashi fits so tightly in the saya I cannot remove it, but that isn't the worst part. Paul Chen has begun to use a very a horrible new sageo that is so rough and inflexible it will damage your saya. I first noticed this new sageo on my Tsuru Iaito, and mentioned it in my review http://swordsofmightforum.com/showthread.php?t=577, but due to the way it was wrapped it didn't appear to scratch or maul the finish of the saya as I thought it would. Well it appears PC is using this sageo on more than the Tsuru, it is also on the Tea Culture Daisho I just got, and sure enough, it was tied so tight that it scratched and indented the saya where it was tied ~X(. I do not believe this will happen with the textured saya finish though as it is allot tougher than the piano lacquer. I will obviously be returning these to Jason, I can look past things like a tight fitting saya, or loose ito for example, but I cannot overlook a saya that is so badly damaged. I am unsure what I will be replacing them with as I fear all the Tea Culture swords will have the same problems, as will any sword with the standard piano lacquer finish. I would advise anyone who has recently purchased a Paul Chen sword to remove the sageo and inspect the saya. One more thing it only appears that this garbage sageo comes in black, but I would inspect colored ones as well

[FrozenIpaq]

And here I am very satisfied with my PC Practical Plus XL Light Katana. However I have a textured saya (black speckled) and did not find it to be too tight as to damage the saya at all. I have no complaints about the construction on mine - in fact I love the construction and quality. My ito is very tightly wrapped and well done.

You should see if Jason could inspect before sending a new one to you to be sure this isn't a wide-spread problem.

[menukisan]

That's good looking out B, I'm about to buy a Shinto, little lower quality, but it's something to check.

[Brian Brazier]

I should note that the Practical line appears to have a different style of sageo, you can tell cause it is easy to tie, and the ito was tight on the Tea Culture I was just using that as an example. Frozen, I will probably ask Jason to inspect a new set before I will purchase them, hopefully this was an isolated incident. Jonis, I don't want to discourage you from buying a Shinto, it also appears that this sageo is new, so if Jason has had a Shinto in stock for a while it probably wont have this new sageo. Funny how a $20 piece of material can mess up and entire sword. I have alerted Hanwei to this problem, weather it is addressed or not will probably take a while

[Brian Brazier]

also as a side note the fittings on the Tea Culture Daisho are amazing, they are really great looking swords, the maki was perfect, and the niku on the Classic line is much better than that of the Performance, I would suggest buying the classic shinto Jonis, not the elite or xl

[bobO]

That's a shame Brian. I love these swords! I hope it works out for you. How do the blades look?

[menukisan]

The classic is exactly the one I'm getting.

[Brian Brazier]

The Katana blade looked great, I didn't get to see the Wakizashi cause it is stuck in the saya and pulling on it will probably split the saya, I will keep you guys updated to what is going on,

[Jason Moore]

Everyone must remember though that these (and all swords that you will get) are production swords and any production item can have a problem. I have sold hundreds of Paul Chen swords and I can count easily the number of returns I have had in 6 years. The best part is that Hanwei will stand behind their products 100% so if you have a problem, I can take care of it easily.

[Taygrd]

That is why I only buy from you, you got my back:ohyeah:

[Brian Brazier]

Exactly, I knew Jason would take care of me. I was just irritated when I first got them, that and the last 3 things I have bought on the internet needed to be returned, first it was the Zatoichi Collection 1 DVD's, then the Zatoichi volumes 1-4 DVD's, by the time I got the swords I was fed up. All I needed was a couple days to cool off, and figure out what I wanted to do. Jason said once the returned swords arrive he will inspect the new ones and send them out,

[Taygrd]

Brian they say things run in threes. Hopefully the next few internet purchases will be perfect. I can understand your frustration since I know how eager and excited I get about getting a new item. Let me know how the new set looks.
PS; I got the Bottomley book from the library-Love it so far-Good Call!:celebration:

[Torawashi]

That's good looking out B, I'm about to buy a Shinto, little lower quality, but it's something to check.

that's strange.......i just bought a PPK from Swords of might and it is just fine, no issues. they must be putting their efforts into the practical and performance line

[Brian Brazier]

the nice thing about the PPK is it has the textured saya which is allot more resistant to denting and scratching, I believe this problem was caused by not letting the lacquer dry enough before placing the sageo on, hopefully this was a one time thing, I asked Jason to remove the sageo on the replacement to ensure there is no problem with the new ones

[Taygrd]

that's strange.......i just bought a PPK from Swords of might and it is just fine, no issues. they must be putting their efforts into the practical and performance line
Welcome to the forum. Glad to have you here and I hope you enjoy this group as much as I do. Anyone who uses a Winston Churchill quote is okay with me. "I may be drunk Miss, but in the morning I will be sober.................."

[Torawashi]

Welcome to the forum. Glad to have you here and I hope you enjoy this group as much as I do. Anyone who uses a Winston Churchill quote is okay with me. "I may be drunk Miss, but in the morning I will be sober.................."

Thanks Taygrd, glad to be here and very happy to have found Swords of Might. This seems to be a great group of people and i'm looking forward to learning much from you all. Hope i can contribute some knowledge as well. My only experience with Hanwei is my PPK katana and PP wakizashi. the quality of the swords is outstanding. I have noticed on both swords that they come a little loose in the saya, but thanx to Jason's advice i have tightened them up nicely and now they fit like a glove. i also have the Hanwei Chinese broadsword (Dao) and it's an outstanding sword. very sharp, good cutter, and the quality and fit and finish is flawless.

[Brian Brazier]

you should receive directions on how to tighten up a loose saya with Paul Chen products, also when you buy one of their maintenance kits it includes the wood veneer you need which is handy, I have used every inch of mine. If all you need is a tiny adjustment you can use clear nail polish, just layer it on letting each layer dry throughly, then file, don't sand, it down to fit. That is the way Samurai use to do it since clear lacquer (nail polish) was readily available, especially if they were married.

[Torawashi]

Hey thanks Brian, that's good advice. I'll keep that in mind for when the saya wears down again from drawing the katana.