Been looking for a good Isle of lewis set, somewhat portable preferred, but any suggestions would be welcome. I would like a set that the pieces are distinguishable, some of the Isle of lewis' seem like just knock-offs

Advice?

I assume that "protable" was a typo and what you really meant is "potable." There are a number of fine shot-glass and (outsized) beer-glass sets, although I feel that there is an empty market for luxury steins more clearly individualized to the pieces. As you say it is often a problem to distinguish the various pieces in potable chess sets. The generally accepted practice is to place different sorts of beverages for each piece, and to sip if one is unsure of the piece's nature.

I guess you guys both mean "portable!" Hope you will find a nice portable Isle of lewis set!

on eBay: cast in resin: approx $50; carved in wood: approx $200..400.

Here's a link to the Mini Isle of Lewis set from House Of Staunton. I have no idea how large or small the pieces are since neither this set nor the full size set have dimensions in their descriptions.

http://houseofstaunton.com/Store/product_name=The+Mini+Isle+of+Lewis+Chessmen/exact_match=exact/user-id=/password=

I meant Portable, yes

What's all this about the Isle of Lewis chessmen not being chess pieces at all?

"Why do you not display the Lewis Chessmen on a chessboard?"
A question often asked at the British Museum.

Answer:
"Because the fact is they do not look like chess pieces.
We do not want the tourists asking questions."



"Infact so unlike chess pieces that the Museum has now taken
to adding a new piece not carved or found anywhere to convince 
the growing numbers of sceptics and fleece the tourists that 
this is indeed a chess set.

The fact they have no Rook is not an obstacle. They invented one."

Read more ...

Lol, ivandh ACTUALLY meant potable, meaning "drinkable" hence his mentioning of shot glasses for pieces!

One reason I read these forums is for the humor.  

Are you allowed to sip from your opponent's pieces (provided you have said "J'imbibe", naturally)?

...or maybe J'imBeam?

A white horse walks into a bar, and the barman says: "We've got a whiskey named after you". So the horse says: "You've got a whiskey called 'Eric'?"

Already one thread on the subject!

White Horses? I haven't noticed it!

 Very humorous, indeed!