Ultimate chess set

Awesome service by Chess House (https://www.chesshouse.com/ ). Ordered 3 Ultimate chess sets 3th of March and received it today (Monday 8 march at 1pm) in Belgium. @Shelby ... the set is great. Thx Chess House and Shelby.

Looks like St Louis Chess Club loaded up on the butterballs. https://www.facebook.com/137667496267/posts/10157513108481268/

That's awesome. Nice, hefty, durable pieces. Outdoor public chess sets can't be TOO nice, or else they might "grow legs and walk away," if you know what I'm saying. 

That shouldn't be a big problem with Butterballs - you can pretty much spot them from orbit.

When all the Butter sets are gone is when everyone will want one (or two). I've got mine, you get yours. Things go better with Butter. You butter believe it, Buddy!

Ahh, you’re just trying to “butter up” Shelby. 😎

There is no argument unless you dislike the color that the Ultimate 3.0 is the best Ultimate set and the weights can NEVER come loose unless you cut the piece with a saw. As far as I know, that is the only plastic set with that new weighting system. I hope Shelby applied for a patent. 

I agree Mike, but I've owned the original Ultimate for over 15 years, the wooden version for 2, and the Butterball version for one year with nary a loose weight in any of the sets.

So what's my aversion to Version 3? It's nothing technical, only that I find the hospital-white color extremely boring (YMMV)! There were dozens, if not hundreds, of different white plastic chess sets sold over the years. So if you're going to update a classic, why not give it a little class by choosing a color that patterns itself after the Holy Grail of chess sets, an antique ivory color like one of these.

Does anyone actually prefer the hospital-white color below to one of the antique shades above? If so, you're probably a fan of vanilla ice cream as well.

Hey, what’s wrong with vanilla ice cream?!?

Of course there has to be dark chocolate syrup on it to match the black pieces as well 😎

@MCH818, yeah, that first ivory set is my favorite color. It shouldn't be too hard to match in plastic. Below is the Emisario set from the Chess House. The dark pieces are a bit too chocolate for my tastes, but the light pieces are a close approximation to ivory.

If one wants to be a bit ridiculous and buff the (minor) seams off the 3.0 set, anyone have recommendations for the best approach, including grit type?

I like my Ultimate set but I have 2 complaints. The rook seems kind of short for a major piece. I have small hands. When I pick up the knight the top of the mane is kind of pointy and pokes my palm. It should be rounded off I think.
Also I see from a older  post a change was made to the weights to make them more secure. What was done?  The person said he was changing the weights when he cut it apart. 

Basically the weights are now put into place before injecting the plastic into the mold.  The weights may also have 'ridges' or crevices in the side to allow some of the melted plastic being injected to 'grab on' to.  I haven't cut any of mine open and don't intend to, but time will tell if they really stand the test of time, but it's gotta be better than any weights that are glued or set in place after the piece has already been molded and cooled.

Best plastic set ever made! Thx Shelby.

Ok don’t tell me what you changed with the shape of the weights. Maybe you can tell me the easiest way if possible to round the mane of the knight at the top. It pokes the palm of my hand when I move it.  Small hands short fingers  puts the top of the piece against my palm. 

Aren’t you the same guy that was banned before for such silly complaints?

What do you do for a living?

This is just plastic.  It isn’t hard to round off an edge at all.

I’m sorry I said anything wow!  The shape if the knight comes to a point  at the top of the mane. Nothing is defective it’s just the shape. The way I pick up the piece it pokes my palm. If you have bigger hands I’m sure your longer  fingers keep it from your palm.  Forget I said anything  all I wanted to do was round it a little bit  and asked for advice about it I’m in middle school it was a gift  it’s not defective. I won’t be returning it but I will stop asking for help here.  

Mr. Lohrman there is nothing wrong with the knights. The shape comes to a  blunt point at the top. It pokes my palm because of the way I hold it when I move the place. My dad just  sanded it down now so it is smooth and round now. 
thank you for offering new pieces. I think it actually looks better rounded then the way iit was before. 
  

I just opened my Ultimate Chess Set that I won here Ultimate Chess Pieces Giveaway @grownupboy and @ShelbyLohnman Thank you. It is better in person than the photos. The off-white color is very pleasing and the pieces fit in the hand well. The weighting is balanced and solid. Quite pleased!