|
|
" My sword from Raven Studios offers a practical feel and aesthetic beauty I couldn't find elsewhere. It makes practice a joy and, when not in hand, is displayed as a work of art."
--- Michael DeMarco, Publisher |
" Having now had some time to play with the Two-Handed Dadao, it is a delight to play with. It is nicely balanced and moves really well with the Bagua moves I have been practicing. It has also stood up well to being bashed about in applications. I would recommend your products to everyone. All the best," Dr. Alan A.D. Peatfield - Dublin Ireland |
|
|
" I took my new waster out to training today and really put it through the old grinder. It came through just fine. Just like the others we have. At ARMA Virginia Beach, we are kind of known for hitting hard and we don't baby our equipment. If it breaks, it breaks. There are certain sword techniques that are very tough on wasters, parries with counters that really make serious contact. We did all that stuff today. My waster has the usual expected small dents a long the edge and that's all. Not that I was worried. I was pretty confident based on the other Raven equipment we have. Thanks again. We will continue to sing your praises." Joel Thompson - ARMA, Virginia Beach (Association for Renaissance Martial Arts) |
"Yesterday my rheumatoid arthritis-afflicted girlfriend and I finally opened the box containing the reduced-weight jian we discussed (I had been saving it as a Chinese New Year's present for her). I have to tell you, the sword turned out BEAUTIFUL. Thanks so much for all your custom suggestions, accommodations and craftsmanship! The sword turned out to be just about as light as her collapsible tai chi sword (the regular commercial kind you see everywhere) but it actually feels even lighter because the POB is so much closer to the hilt. She absolutely loves it, and her hands and wrists are grateful to you, too. Awesome, awesome, wonderful sword. Thanks again, and Happy New Year!" Stanwood Chang |
|
|
"I received my custom Cheng Man Ching style gim today and I must say the work is excellent! It's a beautiful replica of the type of swords used for dueling at Professor's Shr Jung School, only much heavier and far better constructed. It is sure to become a standard for this type of practice and I will be recommending Raven Studios to anyone who I may encounter that is looking for a serious training weapon. All the Best," James Leporati - Patience Tai Chi Association, Brooklyn, New York |
"Just wanted to let you know how much we love your wasters! I recently ordered a great sword and an arming sword. I own a sword store and sell live blades, and have used wasters for quite a while. Although due to their customized nature I don't re-sell Raven Wasters (wish I could!) I was referred to Raven by friends at ARMA who use these wasters to the max! I have no reservation in saying these are the very best wasters on the market in terms of quality, robustness, and fidelity to live weapon handling characteristics. Thanks for your outstanding craftsmanship!" Hugh B. Long, MS, PMP - www.long-sword.com |
|
|
"Hello ~ My name is koo bon hee. I received a Bot Jaam Do, It is so good ~ very very good ~ thank you" Koo Bon Hee - Seoul, South Korea |
" The swords arrived in perfect condition. Very nice work you guys do there!" Daniel Fleet - Canada |
|
| " Now that I've had the sword for several months and have used it a lot, I love it even more. It was widely admired at a Tai Chi meet I took it to a couple of months ago. "
David Wade Smith - Massachusetts |
"Grazie , your wonderful work of art arrived today , I will give them to my freinds tonight. I'm sure they will be pleased. Best regards," Gino Verrecchia - Italy |
|
|
"The two wasters arrived today in the mail, in excellent condition. They are really beautiful, with perfect finish. The two colors of wood make them look more like real swords and less like staves. I love the way they handle. The grip is great for feeling and controlling the edge alignment, and for a beginner like me, this is a real bonus. I know where I will order the next ones when I need them. Keep up the good work ! Best regards," Jean-Luc Ancelin - France |
"I'm really looking forward to getting my dao, I was using one of your jian today and the balance is lovely! Keep up the good work! I've been practicing Taiji for nearly 20 years and the quality of your wooden weapons is the best that I have seen; including a few other hand-made examples. All the Best," Andreas Schoter - United Kingdom |
|
| "The nagamaki is everything I hoped it would be. Beautiful, well-made, powerful. I had it in hand every spare minute the day it came, and was only sorry I had a work commitment that night I couldn't avoid. My 11 1/2 year-old son, who practices aikido with me, was quite taken by it too, and I keep having to retrieve it from his room whenever I do put it down. He's already asking me for your web site and hinting about what he wants for his birthday. The purple heart on the hilt is stunning; the pictures on the web site don't do justice to the subtle shapes and colors in its grain. Thanks again for your hard work. I look forward egerly to getting the naginata. Best regards,"
David Henderson - New Mexico |
" The jong arrived yesterday. It looks terrific! I am, as expected, impressed and delighted with your craftsmanship!!! Not to mention your Kathy Jo Conners - New York |
|
|
"Just got my swords in the mail today, and in one word---fantastic! Aside from the fact that the balance, weight and heft feel great and make me want to immediately practice, they're also just beautiful works of art! I really appreciate your flexibility in customizing these exactly to my preferences. I will get many hours of enjoyment using these, and I will spread your good word. Thanks again," Kyle Fiske - Massachusetts |
"I just wanted to tell you how happy I am with the jian and dao that I purchased. The workmanship is great. I use both regularly and they stand up very well to the two-person drills that I do. I also receive many compliments on the look of both the jian and dao. I am getting a great deal of "sword" envy from my classmates. Thank you for producing such quality product." Jeffrey Pratt - Massachusetts |
|
|
"I received the jian this past week. The sword is even better than I expected. Its craftsmanship makes it a piece of art. I look forward to ordering some custom work in the future. Thanks for an excellent sword! " Michael Santilli - Illinois |
"I received my sword about a week ago. I am very pleased with it. It is a work of art as well as an excellent training weapon. Thanks," Bradon Kowalsky - Iowa |
|
|
"Lot of thanks for this gim. It will be good for the Tai Ji. Excuse my bad englih please. Amicalement" Marc Gadebled - France |
"DaDao arrived and kicks A#@! and is BETTER than advertised, fantastic craft-person-ship! Thank you profusely, hope to send you more clients in the future." Geoffrey O'Brien - California |
|
|
"Woah, I received the bisento and nagamaki. I am completely blown away by your craftsmanship and skill. The bisento is amazing. The nagamaki is beautiful. You truly are an artist. The wait was hell, but it was a testament to the quality of your products. Bravo." Joe Peak - Texas |
"Wow. That is all I can say. The Tonfas are superb. They look, and feel absolutely perfectly. I can't even think of praise high enough. They are that cool. I recommend you to anyone and everyone who is thinking of buying a weapon that I can possibly sway. Thanks for everything."
Peter Friederichs - Wisconsin |
|
|
"I am very impressed with my Kriegsmesser's solid and sweeping feel. The hickory wood grain runs beautifully from the hilt to the tip of the blade. More importantly, the sword is not merely a straight slab of wood cut to a point, but has a sweeping curve that carries back to its sabre' roots. The slight ramp on the flat of the blade near the hilt is necessary for added strength in binding and winding, and closely mirrors my Albion Knecht. In WMA practice today, the waster stunned a fellow practitioner on the shoulder after a disengage from a bind. He is all right. I found the dynamics of the curved blade when pressed down, allowed it to slide off his straight edge more easily. This is realistic training at its best and would not have been realized without this historically accurate waster. Oh yeah-it's beautiful! Sincerely," Charlee Garvin, WMA - St. Louis, USA |
" I received the sword on Saturday. It is exquisite! We tried it at practice today and it passed everything. Your wasters weigh and feel more like "real" swords. They also held up to the beating we give them in ARMA. In other words, the grain was nicely worked--less splintering, less chipping. My blade is tending to hurt when you get hit with it (mostly accidentally). The next one I order, I'd like a little thicker. (like the second one you made for me) So, I'll keep it up for the next few weeks to make sure it passes the group test of time, endurance, etc. But, between you and me---the guys loved it! I go to an ARMA seminar in a few weeks to show it off! Thanks again! " Cathern Ferrier - ARMA, Virginia Beach |
|
|
" I received the Chang Jian a few days ago, but I have waited until I got used to it to give you feedback. And now that Ihave had a few days to practice forms with it and just playing around with it, I must say it's awesome! I have a live blade Chang Jian from Huanuo Sword Arts, and your Chang Jian actually balances almost exactly the same, which is pretty amazing. And once I got used to the weight/balance, the handling feels excellent too. Not to mention that it looks great. Thanks for making me such a nice sword, " Leo Chang - Canada |
"Today, I received my order of 6 Chang Jian (Long Swords) in the mail. I am pleased to report that I am extremely impressed with your work. I have thoroughly tested the products and I am completely satisfied. Your swords have exceeded all of my expectations. The workmanship is second to none. Based on the success of this purchase, I intend to refer friends and colleagues to your company. I look forward to doing business with your company Rueben Littlejohn - Dragon Body Internal Arts Association, California |
|
|
"Just wanted to drop you a note to say thank you for the work on the pu dao ... the weapon is beautifully constructed and handles just right. Your craftsmanship in the finish and choice of materials was to my my mind simply excellent. The weapon configuration is sleek and well-crafted with graceful but deadly lines. In short, a great training weapon. Thanks again." Neil Chang |
||
|
|
