Greetings All,
For those of you following gman87's thread, I have at long-last, procured positive proof of the origin of this reproduction "Korean" sword. It is, in fact, manufactured in mainland China (which I was certain from the very get-go). The forge is
Jkoo Sword Manufacturer and can be found at this website:
www.sinosword.com
The specific link at the bottom of this reply, goes straight to this very model,
in every single aspect... (although, it does not list the price).
Now, I cannot say just who is being deceitful here... nor is it my place. gman87's father may have been conned by the unnamed "Grandmaster" or the unnamed "Grandmaster" may have been conned by some third party? Regardless, the senior teacher should have a better grasp of genuine Korean history and a deeper understanding of authentic Korean swords. Since the part about the 98 year old sword-smith seemed like a blatant deception from the start, I have suspected foul play all along. Still, we might extend our trust, giving the lad the benefit of the doubt? Hey, you never know until you follow through with all the leads available, eh? This has been accomplished and the evidence, frankly, is an open book.
Sadly, this also allows for only one other possibility, in this chain deception...
gman87, himself. We are left with but 2 realities.
#1. gman87 is being false or
#2. gman87 is the victim of said falsehood, being perpetrated upon himself and his dad. Either way, the truth had to come out! If the former is true, shame on him!!! If the latter is true... who knows how far back this dirty lie may have begun it's journey to this KSA forum? Ultimately, I have felt the overriding need to clarify the contents of this thread, as this is not a historical Korean sword. Secondly, I wanted to expose this fraud to my fellow sword enthusiasts, especially the KSA ones. If gman87 is trying to get interested parties to buy this sword, an honest advertisement would have been more appropriate. If he felt that by mystifying this piece and overlaying a Korean origin upon it, so he could get more $$$, double the shame upon him (at the very least)!
Sorry dude, whatever your real name is, but...
"Something is rotten in the state of Denmark".
As I suggested twice, he might have tried Sword Forum International. I would have seen it if he had. Of course, he would have been eaten-alive by many of the senior members, as there is a deep well of expertise housed within
SFI's hallowed halls. Perhaps he felt this forum was an easier mark? Sorry, I beg to differ.
If gman87 is sincere, yet completely ignorant, I was glad to help him out and no "Thank you Jon" is really needed. As I have stated previously, I hate forum bullies and I am not intentionally acting like one. I have to clear the air about this point! OK? I would rather throw my keyboard into the dumpster and take a vow of Internet silence. Overall, I am satisfied that this ridiculous falsehood is exposed to the clear light of day. I hope nobody had their feelings trampled upon or have been unduly hurt in the process. That being said, cannot sit quiet, while historical distortion (and quite possibly deception) is being presented to this KSA forum. By in large, the evidence is leaning towards gman87 and I cannot forgive his audacity for such a plot. If I am mistaken, I beg his forgiveness and perhaps, we should expose the "grandmaster" in this treachery? or is it ever worth the time? I seriously doubt it... given how many subjects are worthy of our collective discussion. As my Italian forefathers would likely say, "Capiche?"
I do feel that, despite the inaccurate information uploaded in this thread, some good can be culled from this discussion. For the 5 links I previously uploaded are excellent learning tools and can be of benefit to any sword aficionado or Korean martial arts practitioner. Please follow them and enjoy the beautifully displayed knowledge they share with us. Besides, they are wonderful eye candy to behold!!!
Furthermore, this is the link, which conclusively proves once and for all, where this sword actually came from (for all of us to see):
http://www.sinosword.com/ProductShow/?p=Chinese-Han-Dynasty-Dao-Jian-sword
Yours in Martial Spirit, Jon Palombi