Quality difference(?): House of Stanton vs. Antique Chess Crafts

Hi. I noticed that Antique Chess Crafts offers several of the same chess sets that House of Stanton offers. Based on the quality of the wood carving, it seems both use the same Indian artisans.

But at least based on one set I compared (see my previous post for more information), there are differences in the total weight of the sets, as well as different base padding.

Based on the base padding it seems Antique Chess Crafts offers the set at a marginally lower quality (at a substantially lower price), but does anyone have personal experience with sets offered by both companies?

I ask because a few years ago, I bought my wife a second-hand set, which last week I discovered is the Preston Series Luxury chess set offered by both companies. What I paid for it seems to hint at it coming from Antique Chess Crafts rather than House of Staunton.

I also found out that the ebony king, queen, bishops, and knights all have a cracked base. I read that HoS has high quality standards as well as a proprietary weighting technique, which is said to give the wood some space to expand. So now I’m thinking Antique Chess Crafts does not use this or a similar weighting technique, resulting in the more brittle ebony cracking in the pieces that are more ornate, and possibly have a heavier weight inside.

Does anyone have a set by House of Stanton that has cracked as well, or is this unheard of with HoS sets?

Cracking is possible with virtually any material. There's a huge number of factors involved with wood-based products, not the least of which is temperature and humidity fluctuations.

Maybe some of the actual experts will comment.

You’re right. Last week I saw a video from Al Su where he showed a boxwood king from a House of Staunton set that cracked at the base.

You passed the 50 move limit and 3 repetitions so I hereby declare this a

I hate to lock a great topic so I have removed comments that were personal and off-topic. Please lets stay on topic and avoid personal attacks.

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