Ryan Swords
by JohnnieD
(Boise, ID USA)
QUESTION: Anyone know anything about this guy?
Typical, "too good to be true" prices. A lot of time and money go into his auction descriptions, including quality pics and demonstration vids. Nearly 100 sales, with 100% positive feedback, and glowing comments. Cheap enough to try, if only for a wallhanger....just like to know if anyone knows any good or bad?
Ebay http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZryan_katana688
Website http://ryansword.com/
Not all show the bamboo cutting/paper slicing vid. The bamboo cutting appears to be a living plant. Not sure if this would be softer or harder than green bamboo mounted for cutting with a sword. Looks good but..............
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...E:B:SS:US:1123
Some of the more expensive (tho' still not expensive for "quality" swords" offer all kinds of exchanges for different parts of the sword:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...E:B:SS:US:1123
The even more expensive (still cheap, if quality) with more impressive vid demos, involving steel drums and flexibility tests. Looks good but, like Cold Steel video demos, makes one wonder how many knives/swords they went through until they got one that cut the mustard (if you'll excuse the expression) :
He also offers extremely cheap, nonsharpened models, in which most of the expense is the shipping (from Shanghai)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...E:B:SS:US:1123
Seems like a pretty large, fairly professional operation (which could be good.......or bad).
Would appreciate comments from those that may have purchased one of these swords and, especially, from the more experienced members of the forum. Thanks, John in Boise Idaho
ANSWER:Hi John,
I'll have to open up the floor on these ones. I have heard some things about these sellers, but I cannot recall exactly what it was or where, and I haven't bought from them personally, so I am not much use for info on these.. ;-)
I have to say though, I am very skeptical of these pieces. The general rule of buying on ebay is to avoid buying direct from China...
Anyway, let's see what others have to say. :-)
Cheers,
- Paul