BigKing,
Really like those Collector and Sultan knights. I also like the New American knight from the Chess Piece (below). Fancy without overdoing it. Compared to some "over the top" knights out there, it's practically understated.
ChessBazaar
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\/\/-BELOW- HOS "Collector's" 4.4" Blood Rosewood 1,079$ + S&H
\/\/-BELOW - Chess Bazzar's "Collector" 4.33"(Bud rosewood instead of Blood) 216$ Free S&H
The Chess Piece 4.125" New American in blood rosewood - $349 + free shipping in the Continental U.S.
Another comparison, HOS 4.4" Camelot in blood rosewood, $1,075 + S&H.
House of Chess 4.5" Encore set in bud rosewood, $300, with storage box and FREE S&H.
Over time, however (in my case about 15 months), my set darken as can be seen below.
Yeah, I have the Chess Baron 6" "The Ultimate Knight Chess Set in Bud Rosewood"
I got the set about 10 years ago, this is the only pic of the set on the internet, haha I'm planning on taking some good pics of the set soon, I recently got a 3" board for it, and it's hard to get a picture that shows how BIG the set actually is(on the 3" board it is PRETTY big, IMO it as as big as a chess set can be before you just can't 'play real chess' on it. DEFINITELY not ideal for an analysis board ha)
ANYWAYS, I had it stored for a few years(I mean really, when do I need a 6" chess set?) And the last time I got it out, I was shocked at how dark the rosewood had become. I still love it(it's my favorite set) and the rosewood is BEAUTIFUL, but it sure got dark. It couldn't be mistaken for Ebony, but it is REALLY freaking dark now.
rcmacmillan wrote:
There are really no such wood varieties as bud or blood rosewood. Please check the Wood Database online. These pieces might be red sandalwood, padauk,or bloodwood, but not rosewood. All varieties of Dalbergia (rosewood, of any variety) tend to be much darker. The big problem with padauk and red sandalwood both is that both woods oxidize badly over time.
I do own a couple of "Blood" or "Bud" Rosewood sets. I wish I had known at the time what I was buying, but I'll still enjoy them for what they are. Lou, your sets are beautiful. I'm not trying to run them down. I especially like the New American set.
RC, thanks, I know that the 'buds' and 'bloods' (sounds like a couple of street gangs) are just marketing constructs. Euphemisms for other less exotic woods. I know that many are made of padauk, but with a twist.
Here's what I've heard. A lot of what's being sold as 'bud' or 'blood' rosewood is really padauk that's been specially treated'. The wood is somehow compressed, perhaps during drying, don't ask me how. Has anyone else heard of this, or was it just another one of my lucid dreams?
BigKingBud wrote:
Yeah, I have a the Chess Baron 6" "The Ultimate Knight Chess Set in Bud Rosewood"
ANYWAYS, I had it stored for a few years(I mean really, when do I need a 6" chess set?) And the last time I got it out, I was shocked at how dark the rosewood had become. I still love it(it's my favorite set) and the rosewood is BEAUTIFUL, but it sure got dark. It couldn't be mistaken for Ebony, but it is REALLY freaking dark now.
BigKing, I look forward to seeing pictures of your 'MONSTER' set.
I've also heard that most dark tropical woods such as rosewood, padauk and others tend to darken over time and with exposure to sunlight, whereas most of our domestic woods here in the U.S. do just the opposite, and tend to lighten over time. Has anyone else heard this?
rcmacmillan wrote:
Never heard of that one, Lou. Padauk is a beautiful wood in its own right, and has colors ranging from a pretty deep red to a fairly bright orange. IT turns and carves well, and there is no reason to have to treat it to look like something else. I suspect, looking at what HOS calls "blood rosewood" these days, that their sets are quality cuts of padauk heartwood. The Dubrobnik "bud rosewood" set that I got from CB is definitely padauk, but with greater variance in grain and color. What I found out researching this is that these manufacturers ought to be using shellac to finish the padauk. The color in padauk is alcohol soluble, allegedly, and the shellac is supposed to bring the color to the surface and stabilize it so that it doesn't darken as much. All info from the Wood Database online.
From what I've heard, the compression tends to reduce padauk's fairly large open pores, giving it a texture more like a rosewood.
P.S. Here's a tidbit I just found out - Padauk is 33% harder then Red Oak, and 18% harder then Maple.
May 31, 2015
0
#31
I just ran a google image search for the terms "bud rosewood" and "blood rosewood". Under "bud rosewood" the only pics that showed were chess pieces and boards, lending to the argument that it is a term used by chess producers to promote their wares. The same was true for "blood rosewood" with the exception of these guitar picks that were made from "royal blood rosewood".
RC, perhaps the padauk is processed using a gizmo like this during drying. It's interesting how they identify this machine for drying sandalwood and padauk. The vacuum process may reduce the size of wood pores?
http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/High-frequency-vacuum-drying-machine-equipment_1873160741.html
loubalch wrote:
BigKingBud wrote:
Yeah, I have a the Chess Baron 6" "The Ultimate Knight Chess Set in BudRosewood"
BigKing, I look forward to seeing pictures of your 'MONSTER' set.
Cool! Thanks, I'll take the time to take some pics of it, The board is 3/4" thick, I swear it weighs at least 10-15 pds haha It's veneered bird's eye maple & rosewood squares, with a teak border. It's kinda ridiculous(in a fun way).
As far as the size, I know there are no wooden boards bigger than 3" squares(unless it's some freaky oversized yard chess stuff) and I don't know of an available staunton style, tournament style(fine detailed) set any bigger than the few 6" king sets available(not on the current market). If there are any bigger, ha IDK
I'm planning on getting some cool pics finished, and up on chess.com as soon as I get the free time, plus I wanna enjoy the process, it's all about passion, and having fun for me(when it comes to chess).
Oct 6, 2018
0
#34
I know this is not a Chessbazar thread, but CHESSBAZAR BUYERS BEWARE!! When you buy products they are claiming to be on sale up to 70% (not slightly imperfect), you will be getting the same thing as with slightly imperfect!! 3 times I bought from them when their sets are for sale and I found nothing but disapointment! Once, bishops were not the same size, often pawns were cracked, wobbly weights inside pieces especially inside Dubrovnik pawns, and there is no warranty for items on sale. That is why I would recommend Royal Chess Mall to everyone, as I stated before they are far from perfect, but they are much more reliable than CB and they will be happy to solve any problem you have at their expense.
I agree. I can see how some players might like sets for their historical accuracy, but I just can't get into some of those ugly horse-faces.
Yeah, and designers of old were EXTREMELY limited on tools for design. In today's world of amazing engineering tools, it should be VERY affordable to create perfect looking knights.
I really like that HOS mammoth knight. He looks like a horse mixed with a dragon, or maybe a really cool knight version of the Lockness Monster. Yet, he is also simple and elegant. And not 'distracting' like some of the more extravagant designs you see with Chessbazaar's higher end sets. Quite the masterpiece IMO.
I also like their "Collector's" Knight
and I own a lacquered version of the Sultan(cool knight)
But, the rest of their knights are either WAY TOO over the top...
or just PLAIN dull, and UGLY!