Plastic Chess Sets - Reviews

http://chessgamesshop.com/index.php?c=0&p=62   Got my Plastic Dubrovnik here. 40.00 USD shipping included.

I'm super happy with this:

http://www.wholesalechess.com/shop/chess-pieces/tournament-chess-pieces/traditional-staunton-chess-pieces-with-cloth-drawstring-bag

Great size & weight, not too much of either, but balanced. Doesn't crowd the 2.25 squares. Really hard plastic with a subtle gloss. Durable, plain, simple set that can really take some abuse. The first night I had it, I played 65 blitz games on a picnic table next to a convenience store. We didn't even notice a slight misting of rain. Perhaps the favorite set at my club, but not totally. 

I just bought the 3.75 HOS Collectors & I like it better, but it sure has no gloss of any kind on it. Better weights, almost too much. Great billiard felt, when you plunk down a piece it feels correct.

And the Reykyavik II HOS I ordered 2 years ago, in natural & red. Really hard, durable set, perfectly sized & weighted for a 2.25 without looking too crowded. Here it is in action...

Nice sets for sure. The price is good as well.

How's the quality on the HOS Collectors? Anything bad sticks out? Also did you get the Ivory or Natural?

btw I have that same set in the red/natural on black/buff board, good combination for sure and it's a nice looking sturdy set. But that pic definitely makes them look a lof better than reality, at least my set the natural pieaces are a dark beige

My HOS Collectors 3.75 is really nice. It is a good size for the 2.25, a really nice weight, the knights in particular feel perfect, they have nice sturdy fat little chests sticking out and a nice height, a nice design. The awesome billiard felt, I didn't realize this at first, actually helps cut down on the jarring feeling of plunking down a piece. Very slight reduction in noise, we all noticed. The Bishops & Queens are definitely a bit more slender, gracefully angled or arched, they don't look like rods or skyscrapers. They have a subtle elegance in their design. 

I know lots of different posters in lots of different forums have said that HOS was doing poorly, going downhill with regard to quality & customer service, but I've had no problems whatsoever. I got my 3.75 Collectors in Natural & Black, & I like it very much. It feels like, when its a bit broken in, maybe a nice (gross) patina of finger oils settled onto it, it won't look so new, so fresh out of the box. It is really in no way polished or glossy at all. I plan to use this set as much as possible. I'm looking to get a few decades out of it. I would challenge anyone who's a blitz player to sit down with it & say, "Oh it's too big/small, or its' too light/heavy, or whatever. Its extremely balanced & durable. When you think about how long you'll have this set and enjoy it, it's like the high cost of a tattoo. Here she sits on a brown board from Wholesale Chess, the color is actually called 'melted chocolate ice cream' & I agree that's exactly what it is. Not glossy, looks perfect in bright or dim lighting.Worth every cent.

And yes, Aries360 the photo of the Red & Natural HOS Reykyavik II was taken with a $1800 japanese lense from the 70's. President of the photography club was drifting through our chess that evening & took his time with that photo. He rested the lense on the table, & I'm thinking he took some liberties with the development, the color saturation, I don't know anything about actual photography. Here's the Reyk II the day I got it, from a cell phone cam. I refer to it as "The Ensanguined Set"

It was also featured in one of the local newspapers, helping to promote my club:

Thanks for the pics.! I like that ball hat also.!

LOL 9kick9, I moved to upstate NY in July 1999, the one year out of 5 the Yankees didn't repeat win the World Series. I was meeting dozens of people, watching the games, & I started to get the point. It's a big deal to be a Yankee fan anywhere in this state. Even in this small town, you see people with yankee stickers, magnets, license plate frames, just glutted with the NY. I've seen Mustangs & SUV's roll by that are gloss white with tasteful blue pinstripes, like I mean the whole car professionally painted. Like the ones the Yankees were giving away to contest winners. It's awesome. I watched Jeter's last game at home & cried a little bit. When you saw Posada, Pettitte, & Mo standing there in their dugout jackets, looking old & serious. Jeter was never in scandals, no PED questions, and instead of starting beef with anyone or trying to make an example out of other players, he was a captain who LED by example. A workhorse, clutch till the end. Guaranteed HOF player.  

Thanks!, your post motivated to pull the trigger on this set. Fingers crossed the quality will be fine!

Nice pics. I like the design of the Reyk II set a lot. I also have it in Black/Ivory. Just a good everyday set and for all occasions.

Anyone know where to find the German or Spanish set listed in the OP

the German set can be purchased at any German online chess store. For example, at http://www.euroschach.de/

I have the Paladin set from Chesshouse in black and ivory, a close match for the old Drueke 36. I would have preferred black and natural but still like it. Great matte finish, sturdy feeling plastic, heavy weights and stable wide bases. My only gripe is the paper on the bottom. Would be much better with billiard cloth.

http://www.chesshouse.com/3_3_4_Paladin_Chess_Pieces_Black_and_White_p/e104p.htm

Speaking of billiard cloth, anyone know where one could puchase some for retrofitting pieces at a not too expensive price? Does it come with adhesive?

My choice of bottom material is the synthetic "felt" that you can buy in sheets.  WalMart in the U.S. or most hobby or craft stores carry it.  Cheap, extremely durable and give a slightly more soft or "padded" feel to the pieces.  I use white glue (Elmer's) to glue the bottom but you have to let it set just a bit or it's too thin before placing the felt on the bottom of the pieces, otherwise it runs through the felt and makes it "harder."  I also turn pieces upside down to eliminate the possibility of it soaking the wrong direction before it sets up.

I've reviewed one of my plastic sets but recorded it, takes me too long to write :) so the review ended up in youtube...

http://youtu.be/ogKRY3kSQhA

I remember this set.  I agree it was a superior set of the inexpensive "club special" type.  Someone was looking for this set in another thread ---->>

http://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/i-need-help-finding-these-pieces

Wow, thanks for the heads up Crappov,

I will PM this member, I could send her a set, I live in CO too so maybe I can even just drop it off. Good catch man!

So, what's the best plastic set these days? Is there any vendor that sells bakelite chess sets?

Does anyone know where we could get them? Or the name of the pieces?