As PATHS Atlanta searches and purchases a fair amount of equipment, books, etc., for the various disciplines we support, we've experienced the time consuming difficulty of finding the best quality at fair prices.
We've decided to help our members save time and money (and avoid being ripped off). As we progress, please feel free to comment on the form or content of these reviews. Also, suggestions for us to review are welcome.
Please remember that all reviews are the opinion of the reviewer and not necessarily of PATHS Atlanta as an organisation, but we will strive to make sure all information is accurate and delivered in good faith.
"Awesome supplier - Excellent customer service!"
Company: |
Asian World of Martial Arts |
Website: |
http://www.awma.com/index.cfm/action/productdetail/product_id/6677.htm |
Service: |
Excellent! |
Cost: |
$49.95 |
Pros: |
Cost-effective. Excellent service. Durable and weighted nicely. |
Cons: |
Can not be sharpened. No scabbard. Comes with flimsy sash tassels. |
Rating: |
|
After my troubles with RCsandmore, I decided to use one of the suppliers I’ve trusted for years, Asian World of Martial Arts, and was exceptionally pleased.
Stay very FAR AWAY from this one
Company: |
RCs and More |
Website: |
|
Service: |
Crap - Can not get them on phone nor email. |
Cost: |
$40.18 |
Pros: |
Supposed excellent quality and at a great price |
Cons: |
Everything. Items DO NOT ship, but they DO take your money. No customer service. Many complaints in Better Business Bureau. |
Rating: |
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Searching for a Chinese martial arts weapon, with specifics in mind, is difficult enough; performing this search online is like tip-toeing through a minefield. And I made a mis-step.
"There is simply no competition at the price point"
Company: |
Little Raven |
Website: |
|
Service: |
Excellent |
Cost: |
$75 |
Pros: |
Everything! … except…. |
Cons: |
The wait! (Don’t worry, it’s worth it.) |
Rating: |
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Recently a few of us old timers decided to add the Chinese “Big Sabre” or “Da Dao” to our practice. However, finding reliable, reasonably priced practice versions of the Da Dao was not as easy as we had hoped.
Most of what we encountered fell into two camps: lightweight and sometimes poorly constructed “wushu” swords, or swords in the $200 to $500 range; sturdy enough but too heavy and razor sharp. Neither camp fully fulfilled my desire for an inexpensive, durable, and realistic yet safe practice weapon.
The unrealistic balance and potential risk of the weak “rat tail” tang made the former camp undesirable; and the risk of practicing new material with a heavy & sharp sword should need no elaboration 
.
