Which company makes the best chess sets? - Chess Forums - Page 3

Mohan_Kumar_Chess

Oct 23, 2019

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#41

rcmacmillan wrote:

I find it hilarious that brought the ivory sets into it and gave us pictures of relatively new production tourist junk, as opposed to the top quality John Company sets of the 18th and 19th century and other comparable carving. And if the sets he showed are truly ivory, and not bone, they are illegal as hell under current postal laws. I couldn’t get one into the USA by any legal means.

Its antique and completely legal. I just showed it as an example of craftsmanship.

Mohan_Kumar_Chess

Oct 23, 2019

0

#42

rcmacmillan wrote:

I find it hilarious that brought the ivory sets into it and gave us pictures of relatively new production tourist junk, as opposed to the top quality John Company sets of the 18th and 19th century and other comparable carving. And if the sets he showed are truly ivory, and not bone, they are illegal as hell under current postal laws. I couldn’t get one into the USA by any legal means.

new production tourist junk?
Ok. According to you let it be tourist junk. For me, its great craftsmanship as good as our Ancient Architecture. If it looks junk to you, then no problem.
https://chessantiques.com/product/antique-rajasthan-polychrome-chess-set/

DiogenesDue

Oct 23, 2019

0

#43

Glad I already have too many chess sets. This thread is depressing. Learn to maintain a professional demeanor when shilling for products ...

Mohan_Kumar_Chess

Oct 23, 2019

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#44

rcmacmillan wrote:

And the Camaratta mammoth ivory set is carved by Oleg Raikis, probably the best chess set designer and producer in the business. His sets are hand done, and he only produces a few a year. You can see examples of his work at raikiscollection.com. And to preempt any “designer” criticism, let me say that while he does duplicate Staunton and John Company designs, he also designs and sells his own creations. Too bad they are nowhere near my price range!

But why Camaratta is selling those Mammoth Ivory chess set for just $8k and $13k and this new production tourist junk for $20k? Why?

Mohan_Kumar_Chess

Oct 23, 2019

0

#45

rcmacmillan wrote:

The sets you show in the linked post here are undoubtedly "tourist junk."

www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/which-company-makes-the-best-chess-sets?page=3#comment-44717354

On the other hand, the set you post from Frank's Chessantiques.com website is a beautiful example of the kind of craftsmanship that is truly uncommon today. And, for the record, it was produced in 1840, and as a survivor of the time, is worth as much as it can bring on the open market.

You seem to think that the old "bait and switch" tactic works. Sorry -- we're smarter than that.

Hey, you are making comedy here. These are same pictures from that page of Camaratta. Don't joke na.

Mohan_Kumar_Chess

Oct 23, 2019

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#46

rcmacmillan wrote:

Mohan_Kumar_Chess wrote:

Hey, you are making comedy here. These are same pictures from that page of Camaratta. Don't joke na.

I'm not joking. Those two sets were produced for the tourist market in the 20th century. And for the record, if you had bothered to read the text under both of those sets, you would have seen a disclaimer:

This chess set is a Korean War era ivory product. Consequently, it is not available for sale due to restrictions of the sale of ivory products less than 90 years old that do not otherwise meet the Antique Exemptions listed within the 2014 Obama Administration Executive Order DO 210. It is shown here for illustrative purposes only. Check your State regulations regarding the purchase or sale of any Ivory Product, regardless of its antiquity, as some States currently have severe restrictions which go far beyond the limitations imposed by D.O. 210.

You are talking about the monochrome set or the polychrome set. I have pictures of both here. And it sure is not a tourist junk. The one made in Rajasthan.

Gomer_Pyle

Oct 23, 2019

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#47

*sigh* The more I come to this site the more I am reminded why it is a waste of time.

Mohan_Kumar_Chess

Oct 23, 2019

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#48

rcmacmillan wrote:

Gomer_Pyle wrote:

*sigh* The more I come to this site the more I am reminded why it is a waste of time.

Yup. I don't know why I bother to argue with idiots. I guess that makes me one, too.

If I am wrong correct me. I have all those pictures in my folder. So, I may have uploaded the wrong one. Instead calling me idiot.

Mohan_Kumar_Chess

Oct 23, 2019

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#49

rcmacmillan wrote:

Mohan_Kumar_Chess wrote:

You are talking about the monochrome set or the polychrome set. I have pictures of both here. And it sure is not a tourist junk. The one made in Rajasthan.

I stand by my statement. Tourist junk, made for the export market. Nowhere near comparable to the antique set made in Rajasthan, or this example, of which the modern set is a poor emulation:

http://www.chessantique.com/chess/chess_pages/indian/JohnCompanySet1830.htm

Thanks for those pictures. They look awesome.
https://get.google.com/albumarchive/102930925707438682950/album/AF1QipPy36w2vyOMnURXSeR1vVMdDRhx76aCM5v15vrw?noredirect=1

Mohan_Kumar_Chess

Oct 23, 2019

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#50

rcmacmillan wrote:

Mohan_Kumar_Chess wrote:

Thanks for those pictures. They look awesome.
https://get.google.com/albumarchive/102930925707438682950/album/AF1QipPy36w2vyOMnURXSeR1vVMdDRhx76aCM5v15vrw?noredirect=1

Jon Crumiller's collection is truly awesome. He has had several exhibitions at the World Chess Hall of Fame, and other museums around the country.

Is the board the same used with those pieces? Coz, it seems very crowded.

Warbler

Oct 23, 2019

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#51

Sheesh, it looks like I've created a monster. I just wanted an interesting discussion on which company makes/sells the best chess sets. I didn't want this flame war or whatever it has turned into. For the record, I was talking about new sets, not antique chess sets. I also meant chess sets made of wood of the more traditional staunton design. One last thing: please keep racism out of here.

Warbler

Oct 23, 2019

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#52

rcmacmillan wrote:

Warbler wrote:

Sheesh, it looks like I've created a monster. I just wanted an interesting discussion on which company makes/sells the best chess sets. I didn't want this flame war or whatever it has turned into. For the record, I was talking about new sets, not antique chess sets. I also meant chess sets made of wood of the more traditional staunton design. One last thing: please keep racism out of here.

Unfortunately, @Warbler, you walked into it, because "best" is quite subjective. What one person thinks is the best another person will say is crap. Witness the way the discussion degenerated. I gave my opinion pretty early on -- I think that AIW and NOJ are the top of the heap for commercially produced sets. NOJ sets are completely hand turned, and a case can be made that the fit and finish are superior to the machine turned, hand finished sets of AIW and other Indian craftsmen. As far as individual turners and carvers, Oleg Raikis of Russia is probably the single most skilled craftsman in the chess world right now. I sure can't afford the five figure prices his sets bring, however. I'm not being an apologist for the argumentation of the last three or four pages, though.

Yes, I know "best" is subjective. I guess I was hoping for reasonable and respectful disagreement and discussion, not a flame war with insults and accusations of racism. I guess I hoped for too much

Warbler

Oct 23, 2019

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#53

Chessoholicar wrote:

My vote is for DGT. They have something for every pocket. Starting from cheap non-electronic sets to WCC sets for around 1000 euros. And they're good for the play. I have played many times with DGT sets (plastic, wood, unweighted, weighted,electronis and non-electronic) and they are all great.

The whole thing with WCC sets confuses me. Just who makes the World Championship set? DGT or Worldchess.com or Studio Anne Carlton?

brother7

Oct 23, 2019

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#54

Chessoholicar wrote:

My vote is for DGT. They have something for every pocket. Starting from cheap non-electronic sets to WCC sets for around 1000 euros. And they're good for the play. I have played many times with DGT sets (plastic, wood, unweighted, weighted,electronis and non-electronic) and they are all great.

I like using the non-electronic DGT plastic pieces for teaching small children, as the king's cross and rooks' turrets are not as fragile as other designs and thus can better withstand children's abuse. I only wish the non-electronic DGT sets would come with extra queens, as is common practice in modern times.

DGT plastic pieces come in two sizes: 95mm king best suited for a 55mm square board, and 86mm king best suited for a 50mm square board.

For my lessons, I use a 86mm king purchased from Chess House with a 50mm folding vinyl board purchased from Chess & Bridge in UK.

Warbler

Oct 23, 2019

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#55

rcmacmillan wrote:

Warbler wrote:

The whole thing with WCC sets confuses me. Just who makes the World Championship set? DGT or Worldchess.com or Studio Anne Carlton?

DGT "makes" the official version. That is to say, the have a company in India, which one I'm not sure of, make them to spec for them. The sets that are sold by other firms are reproductions unless they come with the DGT packaging. Chess house, USCFSAles and other retailers sell the official DGT product. The original design was by Daniel Weil for Pentagram. I don't know who has the design patent currently, or who is even attempting to enforce it.

Well what about the set on Worldchess.com??

Warbler

Oct 23, 2019

0

#56

rcmacmillan wrote:

DGT "makes" the official version

rcmacmillan wrote:

Warbler wrote:

Well what about the set on Worldchess.com??

That's the official version;

huh?

magictwanger

Oct 23, 2019

0

#57

I own 11 C.B. sets(had numerous problems,which were all solved) and I own others from Official Staunton,Era Retro,Royal Chess Mall,a Vintage French Chavet set and my NOJ Tal set...........

I think I have a decent handle on which mfgr made the highest quality set(for me)....I'm basing it on the overall fit & finish,wood quality and aesthetic.All mfgrs were pretty good to deal with.

C.B. was often very irritating,because there were just so many different inconsistencies,even in replacements(sorry,but it is my experience) yet they ultimately came through and I have a very nice collection of C.B. pieces(their 1940's Reproduced Soviet Set is spectacular and of the highest standard).I'm not about to dig up the past and bash C.B......They do try to make their customers happy.

Official Staunton was amazing to deal with and the set I got is superb in every way...No after purchase hassles......Thank goodness.With a company like O.S. I don't even feel the need to scrutinize the pieces(though I do) because they are flawless upon arrival and they know how to pack a set.

Yet,the best set as far as I am concerned is NOJ! Period! It just has that blow you away perfection when you open the box.

I found Gregor a pleasure to deal with on every level and my TAL set is beyond perfection.

The fit/finish/apparent wood quality and overall patina of perfection exudes from these pieces.It was expensive,but I wanted it and have worked hard to obtain it.....The BEST I own!

I respect anyone wishing to save money.There are very fine sets made by almost all the manufacturers mentioned on the original list.....but......NOJ is in a class of their own.

You also get a really nice box with their sets(no need to buy another coffer) and Gregor is nice enough to add a free hand inscribed wooden pen.In my case I got two(well you do ultimately pay for it....so what).He offered me one pen,but knew my son was a physician so he made one for him as well.....Class,Class Class.

It's nice to all be appreciative that we "all" have this chess interest in common.Let's be cordial to one another......Except when we lose.-

Mohan_Kumar_Chess

Oct 23, 2019

0

#58

I wonder, what is the price of DGT in different countries? Because the official dealers mentioned in their website are selling at good discounted price in India. Is it the same with your country? Mention the price if you could.

Warbler

Oct 23, 2019

0

#59

rcmacmillan wrote:

Warbler wrote:

rcmacmillan wrote:

DGT "makes" the official version

rcmacmillan wrote:

Warbler wrote:

Well what about the set on Worldchess.com??

That's the official version;

huh?

Did you notice the quotation marks around "makes"? DGT licenses the set from Pentagram. The Pentagram official sets do not have DGT coils in the bases, nor can you buy a DGT enabled set from them. However, in the World Championships, the match is played on a DGT board, and you CAN buy a DGT enabled set from DGT, so draw your own conclusions.

See?

I think I do. But it is a bit confusing. If you want the one used in the championships, you have get the DGT one and not the one FIDE itself is selling. confusing.

Mohan_Kumar_Chess

Oct 23, 2019

0

#60

rcmacmillan wrote:

Warbler wrote:

I think I do. But it is a bit confusing. If you want the one used in the championships, you have get the DGT one and not the one FIDE itself is selling. confusing.

But only if you want to use it on a DGT board, otherwise the one sold on worldchess.com is fine. Welcome to the Alice in Wonderland world of FIDE, where nothing is simple, and everything is a politicized and corrupt mess. They largely can't get out of their own way. At least DGT is an independent company. Anything FIDE outsources is usually dependable.

I too have the same doubt regarding the chess clock bidding process. I have made a topic on it a couple of days ago. They still didn't announce the winner after 1 month of the date on which they must have announced. I think there is something between FIDE and DGT. I am not sure.