Best Chess Set Design Ever?

From the OP it wasn't about money but about what people THNK is the best designed set. So it's mere opinion. Nothing wrong with that. And with all the reference of NOJ (what the heck is NOJ?) I looked it up. Very interesting designs to look at though not sets I'd consider purchasing.   

It is both a gift and a curse to possess, or be possessed by an 'active' aesthetic sensibility (the appreciation of, and therefore too, the valuation of beauty; as it is defined, for the sake of argument, by either philosophic objectivity or personal subjectivity).

It is the case that those who are victim to it 'feel' themselves emotionally and psychologically rewarded by the practise, and warrant the cost of its pursuit as an 'economy' despite even significant material tax against their finite resources.

Those who 'claim' the pragmatism of 'cognitive' immunity to beauty (in all its forms) suffer no material cost to themselves, but deny themselves the experience won of adding emotional and psychological pleasure to what is otherwise simply cognitive engagement.

Which ever camp you find yourself in (for it is a choice), it is alway the case that neither can defend their manifest by recourse to pride without trading against humility. Being in a position to do so...I personally chose the richer of the two experiences when I can.

Why would you not?

People have different budgets and tastes.  So it seems that we should be able to converse without ad hominem attacks.  Some folks prefer retailers that provide a high level of service.  Others may be happy to chase down and deal with manufacturers themselves.  As for which sets are beautiful - I prefer the traditional Staunton variations.  Others prefer modern interpretations.  As I said - there is a lot of good info here.  But, please, don't be a w*nker.

Posts # 128 and 129 prove that you actually "do" have to be really smart to be into chess.

Beautifully articulated.

Ah yes, this is the discourse I was seeking.

I suggest that design is not reliant on cost.  The best designed set will have some specific characteristics:

1. The size of the pieces and board should not be too small as to be cramped.  It should also not be too large to make it difficult to reach across the board to the opposite side.

2. The piece designs should be aesthetic while having clean lines for easy identification of the pieces.

3. The individual pieces should be proportional to the other pieces of the set.  Harmony in design is desirable.

4. The pieces should be of a good enough heft to be stable when placed on a square.  They should not be too heavy nor too light for ease of handling during play.

5. The bases of the pieces along with the center of gravity should be wide and low enough, respectively.  There are some piece designs that are stable enough to allow for a light piece weight while still maintaining good balance and stability.

7. The material, color, graining and finish also matter.  There needs to be good contrast between the pieces of each side as well as the board colors.  There should not be too high or harsh of a contrast.  There should also be enough contrast to delineate one from the other, and this applies to the pieces and the board combined.

Subjectivity and personal taste play a part in what an individual prefers.  However, I believe that a Chess player shown a set with the above characteristics will like it.  
So yes, there are objective qualifications for the best Chess set design.

I have found a few sets that have most of the characteristics if not all.  Some of them are at the higher cost, like Noj sets.  Others are at a much less lower cost like a few from The Chess Bazaar.

I have also found that different Chess playing situations do better with one set while another situation does better with a different set.  And there are more than two situations.

It sounds as if our tastes in chess sets are similar.  I'm learning more about specific design elements of sets and am seeing some variations in 'reproduction' sets.  Some variations I don't mind, others I do.  It's fun! 

I'm looking forward to learning more.  And on reviving my very rusty game.  Marriage and two sons kept me pretty busy, but the younger son is finishing his junior year of college, so I have more time now.

I love threads like this on chess pieces, boards and equipment. I learn through reading - particularly understanding the historical context. I'm not interested in folks taking pot shots at each other. It's the diversity of thought that makes the discussion so interesting. I've said in other threads that I am new to the game and have recently purchased two sets. Best designs ever? Hardly but .... I love 'em.  In the photo below I put both white pieces on the same board - to get a sense of size on the board and interestingly,  the larger set is only just my preference and indeed, sometimes I swing back to liking the smaller pieces on the rather large board.

The first set: GM Blitz from CB

and then the larger set - 2016 Bridled Knight from CB 

Best designs ever... nup... that'll be the next set... or the set after that.

PS - I just noticed that some pieces are in the wrong position .... rookie error! No wonder I'm an average player (or worse). Cheers. 

Great contrasts of those superb pieces on such a nice board P.D.

Also,MCH might be about the nicest person on these threads.....No knocking anyone because they might wish to own a rather pricey set,or come from,dare I say it,  America!

I really believe that the only viable reason why some folks find it so easy to be nasty is that we aren't anything much more than bits and bytes to oneanother......If it were eye to eye,we'd probably buy each other a lunch and have a game of chess.

The way it should be.

Cheers MCH and Magic. I must say I purchased the second set as it will be better for faster games - lighter, smaller. I didn’t realise just how I would love it too! MCH, there’s definitely something in the simplicity and elegance of the Blitz set, along with the one piece knight. I’ll also say that I really enjoy the feel and look of ebony. I am lucky enough to own a acoustic guitar with an ebony fret board - same beautiful feel. From some comments through various threads - I am a little worried about ebony’s longevity and pieces splitting but we don’t have big swings in humidity and/or freezing temperatures here in Melbourne so.... fingers crossed.

Nice looking board PD

Fully agree, Mr Twanger!

Seems to be the way of internet forums - there's always some posters who act like they could pick a fight with the Dalai Lama. I've posted some garbage myself in the past that I have later regretted.

Powderdigit , is that board a recent purchase? Looks beautiful. I love the swirly wood grain of the frame contrasting with the rank and file of the board. What vendor? And what type of wood is that? May I ask the price?

It like the the royal fork , it happens ? Was my eyes not open , there alway's going to be a form of it , Should be how this forum has fallen over the years ?

Still , you got to keep the faith

I only have issues with Eyechess. The rest I do enjoy seeing posts from. When a correction needs to be made about chess equipment. It's not what you say it's how you say it. Coming off as an arrogant jacka$$. You will be treated as such. I am not one who goes along to get along. Being a snob is a behavior I can't tolerate much at all. Taking issues on matters that are minor and insignificant when if come to chess sets and boards. To me shows that you care more about that then treating others with respect.   

You are a liar and a proven miscreant.  Please stop posting anything about me.  My only posts regarding you have been in defense and response to your wrong, crude and insulting comments about me.  
Stop it.  Cut it out.

I have resisted leaving here.  There have been numerous people messaging me to stay and not let these Negative Normans get to me.

When I first started coming here there were many more posters showing pictures of equipment, routinely.  That was in November of 2014, yes over 6 years now.

I learned quite a bit from a lot of these people.  They left, one by one.  The usual reason was they were tired of the negative posters.  
I messaged with Jorge just as he was quitting this forum.  He really is a nice guy.  A few have messaged me telling me to come to some of the Facebook pages as this is where they have gone.

In the last year or so we have seen posters that aggressively insist that the least expensive way to go is the best in all cases.  Only 1 or 2 of them remain.

This one guy has written that I have said things and stand for things that are completely wrong.  I have attempted to call him out for this and I have recently reported him a couple of times.  Much like cgrau did awhile back with a few posters, I am tiring of this fallacious fool.  
Yeah, maybe it’s time to also leave.

 

I been looking where i can buy a set with one of this knights as part of the set. Notice the knights are both different but both are beautiful and powerful . . . .

let me know if you recognize the model or name . . .

This third one is nice but not as strong looking . . .

This last one i purchased it i Tijuana Mexico for $20:00 including the folding wood storage board . . . I've given this set to one of my sons . . .

As Sister Mary Holywater used to say when we'd start bickering, "Let's be courteous, children."

It is possible to 'Block' other members.  Not everyone gets along.

It is possible to 'Block' other members.  Not everyone gets along.