Lardy appreciation thread.

I think the Chess Empire version referred to above is the closest reproduction I've seen.

The first one is a really good copy of a 3 1/2" Lardy. Agreed that a lot of Lardy and Chavet sets have blemishes/leans etc. The turning/carving quality is better in todays sets, but the design isn't. 

@Wgnoyes I have to disagree about the HoS Lardy. Thanks for the link.

@Sound67 It is hard to get over the imperfections (leans, dings, cracks, rattling weights, etc) of the originals when the repros being produced now are so good. Why buy a real Lardy when a good Lardy repro can be had for $106 from the Chess Empire. 

@AudioQ I agree the Chess Empire has the best reproduction. 

@Upcountryrain did you put up your Lardy for sale?

You miss the whole nostalgia of collecting. Ill take those vintage Lardy sets you have over any new set any day. By the way I will take both those sets off your hands for $100.00 US.

Also those new sets are a crack waiting to happen. At least with a vintage set the wood has already cured.

@Crusaderwabbet I didn't think about the cracking issue. But it seems all of Lardy's that I can purchase today has at least one cracked piece. At least if I buy a repro, it won't happen for awhile. 

That's one way of looking at it. All of the sets I have collected are crack and leaner free. It takes time and patience to find them. Minor inclusions in the wood does not bother me.

I am on the fence. That's why I haven't ordered the Chess Empire one yet. I was really close after this 40s set but I still have not done it yet. I guess we'll see what happens.

Good luck. Either way I like the feel of the design in play.

Thanks!

I did. I'm cleaning my closet and thinning out my collection this summer. I just took a look and noticed how much stuff I have that's just sitting there collecting dust when it could be used by someone else. I'll also be putting up this smaller one that is placed on a Drueke with 1.75 inch squares.

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. I think the Chess Empire one looks pretty close (not exact) to one of the original versions. It looks like the 70s version to me. The HoS version is not as good but perhaps the HoS version was trying to replicate a different era Lardy.

Here a real version from Ebay.

Here is the one from the Chess Empire:

Here is the one from HoS:

It is fine if you still disagree. At least we agree Lardy's are awesome.

I can live with that. 

The chess empire screenshot looks incredibly accurate to the 70s lardy style, actually. I'm impressed. 

Agreed. The Chess Empire set seems to be a copy of the (70/80s) 3.5" Lardy. As per pics below it is easily the closest repro I have seen.

I think the set you pictured first is an Indian set not a Lardy?. Looking at the pictures the dark pieces look like sheesham not stained buxus.

Yah. I think the various Indian copies and Chess Empire have horrible knights and the rest of the sets are far from ideal.  The HOS set is quite good, but I really want the proportions of the Nice Ol set.  The slim bishop and pawn bodies and the wider, flatter tops on the queens.