Indeed it looks good for the money. They have an even cheaper unfinished set of the same description. I am tempted to get the unfinshed set as I would not like a heavy finish, but I would like a light finish. Your finish is described as:
The "Lacquered" version has a light coat of polyurethane to help protect the pieces and add years to your enjoyment. This is not a high-gloss finish, but a moderate, semi-gloss.
Would you agree? I realize it is subjective.
Escapest_Pawn wrote:
Indeed it looks good for the money. They have an even cheaper unfinished set of the same description. I am tempted to get the unfinshed set as I would not like a heavy finish, but I would like a light finish. Your finish is described as:
The "Lacquered" version has a light coat of polyurethane to help protect the pieces and add years to your enjoyment. This is not a high-gloss finish, but a moderate, semi-gloss.
Would you agree? I realize it is subjective.
I'd agree with that. I compared it to my "luxury" set from Chess Bazaar last night and they are definitely low gloss compared to those. There's some shine to them, but it's not distracting in any way.
@ Quasimorphy you could always stop by the local cigar store and pick up a small humidity stick on the cheap and place it in a box with your pieces during these cold and dry winter months. It won't get you pieces wet. If you want to go the extra step they sell analog and digital hygrometers so you know what the actual humidity is
It's a pity shipping to Canada is so darn expensive... that's a pretty great deal.
Thank you Ace-Club.
I orderred a set, largely on your advice.
My ordering concerns are/were:
The set is poorly photographed, especially the knights.
I felt the shipping costs are a bit high. (This is offset by the cheap price of the set, but I sometimes "stand on principle", disliking sellers who pad their profits with inflated shipping costs.) Several options available. Cheapest shipping = 14.33 Total = $44.32.
PayPal option is also conveniently available so one doesn't have to deal with card info.
Agree on the high shipping costs. Initially I was turned off by the shipping, but I ended up ordering some sets with a friend, too, so that cut down on the shipping costs (split with my friend).
Also, I found that the UPS option was cheaper than the USPS option. Plus, the prices you quote are estimates. Case in point, I was quoted with a shipping price of $29 for my entire order. After placing the order, I received a refund of $9 due to actual shipping being less than estimate.
Quasimorphy... Wooden chess pieces are known to crack due to low humidity in parts of the southwest.
Any way you can post a better picture than what's on the chesscafe site? Especially the knight.
Shouldn't be a problem. I can probably get around to it tonight.
It looks like a nice set to me but, chess cafes pics of it are not the best.
Thanks Ace_Club.
9kick9, bad photos seem to be a common problem with chesscafe, they would do a lot better with better pics of their gear. Compare their photos to HoS's photos, and it's no wonder why HoS can sell their stuff at a premium.
Hopefully we will have some better pics here soon. I actually took a gamble and went ahead and ordered it, since the price is so cheap, but would still like to see Ace_Club's photos if possible. If not, I'll post photos when it gets here.
I haven't bought one of the sets discussed but for Christmas I purchased 2 of their International sets in rosewood - I'm not a sheesham fan. Now the rosewood may well be sheesham (Indian rosewood) with a redish stain but I do like it better. Anyway these sets were very nice, gave one as a gift and kept one for my everyday tournament set. Last week I decided to order 2 more of the same, another gift and another for me so I have double queens and a whole set of extra pieces for when my everyday set either loses a piece or some over-enthusiastic tournament player chips one. This way I won't be so anal about banging the pieces around.
Anyway just thought I would mention this cause the International set in rosewood is only about $14 and a really nice set. Virtual clone of the DGT tournament we set see so often. German style knights.
I bought the Olympian set they had last fall right before Thanksgiving and have no complaints with it.I think i paid $39.95 plus around $12 shipping The set has a nice feel to it and i an pleased with my choice. I have a much more expensive wooden set but for the money i don't think you can go wrong.
Bronco70 wrote:
@ Quasimorphy you could always stop by the local cigar store and pick up a small humidity stick on the cheap and place it in a box with your pieces during these cold and dry winter months. It won't get you pieces wet. If you want to go the extra step they sell analog and digital hygrometers so you know what the actual humidity is
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I have a humidifier thingy in my acoustic guitar case. It just never dawned on me that I might need that for chess pieces.
Here are some pics of the knights and one of the king and bishop as well:
Looks like a great set for the price! Thanks.
My pictures, while better than Chess Cafe, still don't do the set justice.
Good pics. The knights look like the Reykjavik set that was used by Fischer and Spassky for their first world championship match in 1972. The original was made by Jaques of London. The bishop is not quite the same the original was rounder on the head. I have one reproduction Reykjavik set and it is one of my favorites. For the price that is a great deal on a very classic looking set of pieces.
Bought a few tournament sets on sale for my kids from chesscafe.com. While I was at it, I picked up the following discounted wooden set:
http://shop.chesscafe.com/New-Classic-Series-Chessmen-Lacquered-Sheesham-w-4-queens-EQP1371.htm
For the price, this is a very nice set. Very nicely weighted and very nicely crafted. If any of you have been tempted by their recent sales prices, I'd suggest you get in while they still have stock left.