i personaly preper wood probably becouse im used to it. anywat good luck with your buisnes i hope you sucsese in that
What is your favorite material for pieces?
Sort:
Jan 19, 2022
0
#3
Wood for me. Boxwood and Rosewood are my favorite woods for pieces. I can do Golden Rosewood or Acacia woods if the brown is medium to dark brown.
Jan 19, 2022
0
#4
Here's an idea for pieces. Use epoxy resin blanks. Turn and carve them into pieces. Much higher quality plastic pieces than injection molding pieces. Just an idea.
I would say that ergonomic has to do with shape and weight. Easily gripped and a nice heft. Also, easily identifiable pieces would be part of that equation.
Comfortable to me means easy on eyes, with good contrast between the two armies, and no sharp edges.
Aesthetic will be completely subjective. Many of my previously mentioned qualities would contribute here. I like pieces that have some character but I struggle to say exactly what that means. Castles that have brick and mortar lines might be one example. Interesting knights would be another. Interesting facial expressions might be another, but here you risk going to far.
As for materials, would and plastic of some dirt are likely most common in the modern era. I like the feel and look of wood over plastic. For me, glass is a non- starter. I have a set of metal pieces which I like (solid gives your weight easily) but wish they had more if a matte finish. Too shiny equals to much glare which is distracting with any material. The idea of resin interests me, I think they had possibilities over plastic.
Hope this helps!
Comfortable to me means easy on eyes, with good contrast between the two armies, and no sharp edges.
Aesthetic will be completely subjective. Many of my previously mentioned qualities would contribute here. I like pieces that have some character but I struggle to say exactly what that means. Castles that have brick and mortar lines might be one example. Interesting knights would be another. Interesting facial expressions might be another, but here you risk going to far.
As for materials, would and plastic of some dirt are likely most common in the modern era. I like the feel and look of wood over plastic. For me, glass is a non- starter. I have a set of metal pieces which I like (solid gives your weight easily) but wish they had more if a matte finish. Too shiny equals to much glare which is distracting with any material. The idea of resin interests me, I think they had possibilities over plastic.
Hope this helps!
Jan 19, 2022
0
#6
KnightsForkCafe wrote:
Here's an idea for pieces. Use epoxy resin blanks. Turn and carve them into pieces. Much higher quality plastic pieces than injection molding pieces. Just an idea.
Your comment reminded me of something... 
Wonder whatever happened to this idea?
Just saw pieces on Etsy that are a combination of resin and cement with brass bases. They look quite interesting but are a bit small.
KnightsForkCafe wrote:
Here's an idea for pieces. Use epoxy resin blanks. Turn and carve them into pieces. Much higher quality plastic pieces than injection molding pieces. Just an idea.
Resin seems to be of interest to a lot of people, which I can understand but does surprise me. That said, it would be easier to sculpt the pieces from clay, use those to make molds and then cast the resin pieces. Then all the pieces would be identical and easily mass produced. I could try throwing some on a lathe, though, and then making molds and casting more. 3D printing would also work for resin pieces. You've given me a lot to think about, thank you!
CringeBlunderman wrote:
I would say that ergonomic has to do with shape and weight. Easily gripped and a nice heft. Also, easily identifiable pieces would be part of that equation.
Comfortable to me means easy on eyes, with good contrast between the two armies, and no sharp edges.
Aesthetic will be completely subjective. Many of my previously mentioned qualities would contribute here. I like pieces that have some character but I struggle to say exactly what that means. Castles that have brick and mortar lines might be one example. Interesting knights would be another. Interesting facial expressions might be another, but here you risk going to far.
As for materials, would and plastic of some dirt are likely most common in the modern era. I like the feel and look of wood over plastic. For me, glass is a non- starter. I have a set of metal pieces which I like (solid gives your weight easily) but wish they had more if a matte finish. Too shiny equals to much glare which is distracting with any material. The idea of resin interests me, I think they had possibilities over plastic.
Hope this helps!
Comfortable to me means easy on eyes, with good contrast between the two armies, and no sharp edges.
Aesthetic will be completely subjective. Many of my previously mentioned qualities would contribute here. I like pieces that have some character but I struggle to say exactly what that means. Castles that have brick and mortar lines might be one example. Interesting knights would be another. Interesting facial expressions might be another, but here you risk going to far.
As for materials, would and plastic of some dirt are likely most common in the modern era. I like the feel and look of wood over plastic. For me, glass is a non- starter. I have a set of metal pieces which I like (solid gives your weight easily) but wish they had more if a matte finish. Too shiny equals to much glare which is distracting with any material. The idea of resin interests me, I think they had possibilities over plastic.
Hope this helps!
That's interesting, in my mind "comfortable" meant more the feel of the materials than anything else.
It sounds like you prefer pieces which depart from the bog standard pieces you see everywhere, pieces with well thought-out and executed details to appreciate. I completely agree with you on that point.
For those who prefer wood, what are your feelings about figured wood? Is that a good aesthetic addition, or do you feel it would be distracting?
Jan 19, 2022
0
#11
jawineholt wrote:
For those who prefer wood, what are your feelings about figured wood? Is that a good aesthetic addition, or do you feel it would be distracting?
That seems a little too busy.
Chess players spend hours just staring at the board, so we tend to prefer woods that are more mild.
Jan 20, 2022
0
#12
jawineholt wrote:
For those who prefer wood, what are your feelings about figured wood? Is that a good aesthetic addition, or do you feel it would be distracting?
I think figured wood is a beautiful choice for display sets but for everyday beaters it may be a little distracting at longer time controls.
I prefer wood, specifically maple, walnut, ebony or other similar woods.
I 2nd what @jdsto and others said about wood. I like wood boards and sets... maple and walnut for boards and boxwood and ebony/padauk for pieces.
As for figured woods including boards with complex patterns, I think these boards look great for display, but I wouldn’t like using it to study or play chess. One example would be the chaotic pattern from MTM Wood. It looks great but there is too much going on with the pattern to focus on chess.
I'm working on a custom board and pieces, and considering building this into a business, so I want to find out what people prefer in terms of feel. My priority is making pieces which are ergonomic, comfortable and aesthetic (in that order), so knowing what materials people prefer is important.
So what is your preference: wood, plastic, glass, metal, stone, something I haven't even considered? And why is it your favorite?