My Commission From Oleg Raikis: "The Ideal Staunton" - A Jaques 1849 Reproduction

I agree with you @Felonet 100%

I prefer 90mm/3.5" Kings as well — for more civilized games. Hah!    

Thanks everyone; here are some pictures of knight design #6, bishop design #3, and a comparison between bishop design #1/#2/#3:

I've added a "Knight and bishop design identification" section at the bottom of my original post, which identifies the six different knight designs and three different bishop designs; note that the only difference between the three bishop designs is the mitre cut (straight, curved, and narrow).

MGT88 These are so nice , The craftsmanship , If I had 2k+ would be more than happy to put my order in ,

Hi,

Is this still available to order? Is there troubles because of the war?

I would like to order 2 sets with extras, around $10 000 by my calculations. Is Mr Raikis interested? What is the turn around time for a big order? I am on the Noj wait list, but waiting years for a set is too long.

Woah.. with a 10k budget there are MANY options available. How about an extra King piece with your portrait? Hah! And yes, @MGT88 is the man to talk to for initial introductions. 

Below photo from RaikisCollection site. 

Yes, this is still available to order; I have sent you an inbox message.

Bokaut and African Blackwood:

@MGT88 I don't believe that I've seen that wood before...Bokaut ? ...I googled it , and nothing. Is that the correct name for that wood? Thanks.

I've had the same difficulty finding information on "Bokaut" in the past; Frank C. describes it on his website as follows; "Bokaut, a dense, exotic wood indigenous to Russia and East Asia."

I asked Oleg about it and he said it's Lignum Vitae:

"Lignum vitae is a wood, also called guayacan or guaiacum, and in parts of Europe known as Pockholz or pokhout, from trees of the genus Guaiacum. The trees are indigenous to the Caribbean and the northern coast of South America and have been an important export crop to Europe since the beginning of the 16th century."

Apparently it's one of the hardest/heaviest/densest and most durable woods available for trade.

Thanks @MGT88 I'll need to do some research on that wood. It seems to be somewhat of a mid-tone color with a slight greenish hue (at least on my screen) which could be used for either the light or dark pieces. It's got some fantastic grain too. Thanks for the pics.

Prices are the same now as described in my original post; Oleg is asking $2200 for a set in Boxwood / African Blackwood.