strngdrvnthng wrote:
You guys need to get out more : )
Our wives won't let us!!
Which Dubrovnik Set do you like betterChessBazaar or House of Staunton?
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I think I actually like the Chessbazaar set best.
Shorter, fatter rook with shorter crennelations. I like short fat rooks. Styrdy and imposing. That's good. It should have 5 cuts to the turret, but you can't have it all.
I can tell the carving on th knight is more exquisite on the HoS knight, but that's a non-issue for me. I like knights simple; as in bestchessmenever simple.
The king has a slightly rounded lip on his head, rather than the sharp edge on the HoS.
The Queen has more indentations on her crown which gives a bit more of a presence it seems.
The Bishop has a slightly bigger head, which I like.
In general the collars on the officers look slightly less intrusive on the CB set but I can't tell if the HoS collars are better for holding the pieces.
The pawns look like they have slightly bigger heads, which I like for quick grabbing and dumping.
I can't tell how well the pieces are weighted and how stable they are, but as far as looks go I prefer the CB set slightly, over the HoS set. The HoS set might feel better when playing. In general, as a former carpenter, I like that you can actually see the grain on the CB set. I like wooden things to look like they're made of wood. I understand that a company that makes exquisite chess setss like HoS have to meet a certain standard but the CB set looks like something I'd throw in a bag and take with me everywhere until I've ground it to wooden chips with repeated plays. I like stuff that looks like it wants to be used, not just something one bought for decoration.
I'm definitely going to look for a CB Dubrovnik set the next couple of days!
Overall from the pics I feel the HOS set has more finesse and elegance and has a sharper feel. I would also be swayed that the black is ebonized. It has to be said though I do like the slimmer knight on the CB set. So for me if I had to choose between the two from the pics, overall, I would have the HOS set.
FBeyer wrote:
I think I actually like the Chessbazaar set best.
Shorter, fatter rook with shorter crennelations. I like short fat rooks. Styrdy and imposing. That's good. It should have 5 cuts to the turret, but you can't have it all.
I can tell the carving on th knight is more exquisite on the HoS knight, but that's a non-issue for me. I like knights simple; as in bestchessmenever simple.
The king has a slightly rounded lip on his head, rather than the sharp edge on the HoS.
The Queen has more indentations on her crown which gives a bit more of a presence it seems.
The Bishop has a slightly bigger head, which I like.
In general the collars on the officers look slightly less intrusive on the CB set but I can't tell if the HoS collars are better for holding the pieces.
The pawns look like they have slightly bigger heads, which I like for quick grabbing and dumping.
I can't tell how well the pieces are weighted and how stable they are, but as far as looks go I prefer the CB set slightly, over the HoS set. The HoS set might feel better when playing. In general, as a former carpenter, I like that you can actually see the grain on the CB set. I like wooden things to look like they're made of wood. I understand that a company that makes exquisite chess setss like HoS have to meet a certain standard but the CB set looks like something I'd throw in a bag and take with me everywhere until I've ground it to wooden chips with repeated plays. I like stuff that looks like it wants to be used, not just something one bought for decoration.
I'm definitely going to look for a CB Dubrovnik set the next couple of days!
Hello. Thanks for your assessment. i agree with you totally. One observation about the CB set is its well proportioned pieces, somthing lacking in the HOS set. The HOS queen is much too small compared to its King. And the queen's crown is too small. The rook is way too large for this set adding to the missproportion of the HOS set. HOS pawns also too small. A major criterion for any set is well proportioned pieces, which is seriously lacking in the HOS set. Aside from CB's well proportioned pieces, the set is visually pleasing and has a nice board presence. Its pieces are a joy to handle. They have a nice "hefty" feel, somthing rare in a 3.6" set. I will be looking forward to CB's 4" set, which will be coming out soon.
Aug 18, 2014
0
#47
Hey Mike, I do see your observation of the pawn especially. In the HOS set it is a bit undersized. I still like the bishop from the HOS set better, guess it is the slenderness that makes it look a little more classy to me. But at this ppoint both sets are desirable. If the 4" is just as nice as the 3.6" I would prefer the larger set at 4" King. Thanks for taking all those pics and stating your preferences. I didn't look at the size relationships so close at first.
wiscmike wrote:
Hey Mike, I do see your observation of the pawn especially. In the HOS set it is a bit undersized. I still like the bishop from the HOS set better, guess it is the slenderness that makes it look a little more classy to me. But at this ppoint both sets are desirable. If the 4" is just as nice as the 3.6" I would prefer the larger set at 4" King. Thanks for taking all those pics and stating your preferences. I didn't look at the size relationships so close at first.
Hi Mike- Your welcome and thanks for your thoughts on the 2 sets. Yeah, I think the 4" ChessBazaar Dubrovnik is going to be a real winner too.
My issues with Chess Bazaar aside, owning the HOS set and comparing it to the photos of the CB set (not having seen it, I can't comment on the fit and finish of the CB set), I'll confine my comments to visual comparisons and published specifications.
HOS SET - Starting with the HOS set. I think the queen is undersized. Although, on paper, the both queens measure 3.2", the taller HOS king needs a slightly taller queen. Also, the knight is too short with respect to the bishop. I like the taller rooks (2.25" vs. 2.1), but, here again, the taller rook could use a slightly taller pawn, even though the HOS pawn is almost 0.1" taller than the CB pawn.
As for the design, I prefer the more pronounced top collar on the HOS king, queen, and bishops, the finial on the bishop, and design of the knight, which more closely resembles the original Dubrovnik set. I also like the extra weight (65 oz. vs. 51.5 oz.), making the HOS a true triple weighted set. I know there's no hard and fast standard, but 52 oz. does not a triple weighted set make. And lastly, I like the increased stability that comes with the wider pieces. Even though the HOS king has a 1.75" diameter, it plays just fine on my 2.125" board.
CHESS BAZAAR - I think the overall proportions of the pieces with respect to each other is more balanced. I like that they're offering this set is sheesham and crimson, though I'm not crazy about the clown-red hue they've selected. I would prefer more of a light burgundy myself. I also like the fact that they'll be offering this set in a 4" size. One can never have too many options when it comes to chess sets. The lower price - it might be difficult for some to justify the additional $80-$90 for the HOS set.
With these slight differences, choosing between them comes down to one's personal tastes and prefences. Either way, it's great to be able to own a Dubrovnik set without having to spend $500, or more! Both look like worthy sets that will provide their owners with many years of happy checkmating. As a friend of mine use to say, "you pay your money and you make your choice.
loubalch wrote:
My issues with Chess Bazaar aside, owning the HOS set and comparing it to the photos of the CB set (not having seen it, I can't comment on the fit and finish of the CB set), I'll confine my comments to visual comparisons and published specifications.
HOS SET - Starting with the HOS set. I think the queen is undersized. Although, on paper, the both queens measure 3.2", the taller HOS king needs a slightly taller queen. Also, the knight is too short with respect to the bishop. I like the taller rooks (2.25" vs. 2.1), but, here again, the taller rook could use a slightly taller pawn, even though the HOS pawn is almost 0.1" taller than the CB pawn.
As for the design, I prefer the more pronounced top collar on the HOS king, queen, and bishops, the finial on the bishop, and design of the knight, which more closely resembles the original Dubrovnik set. I also like the extra weight (65 oz. vs. 51.5 oz.), making the HOS a true triple weighted set. I know there's no hard and fast standard, but 52 oz. does not a triple weighted set make. And lastly, I like the increased stability that comes with the wider pieces. Even though the HOS king has a 1.75" diameter, it plays just fine on my 2.125" board.
CHESS BAZAAR - I think the overall proportions of the pieces with respect to each other is more balanced. I like that they're offering this set is sheesham and crimson, though I'm not crazy about the clown-red hue they've selected. I would prefer more of a light burgundy myself. I also like the fact that they'll be offering this set in a 4" size. One can never have too many options when it comes to chess sets. The lower price - it might be difficult for some to justify the additional $80-$90 for the HOS set.
With these slight differences, choosing between them comes down to one's personal tastes and prefences. Either way, it's great to be able to own a Dubrovnik set without having to spend $500, or more! Both look like worthy sets that will provide their owners with many years of happy checkmating. As a friend of mine use to say, "you pay your money and you make your choice.
Thanks for your observations and assessments of both Dubrovnik sets. Your many fine points on each set are much appreciated. Agreed, both sets are very nice in their own respects.
the-kriegspiel wrote:
As a quick but relevant aside to those who are leaning in favor of the CB set on the account of the cost gap, if you go to the HOS eBay page and choose make an offer over buy it now, you can get the price reduced to $150 (which will probably only be slightly above the price of CB's coming 4" pieces). I was dead set on going with a CB set this weekend, but after toying around with this function and having my offer accepted at a reduction of 25%, I couldn't really turn the HoS set away.
Its a tough choice, both sets are really nice
If you punch in a search for NOJ chess you will find that your HOS queen & Knight is not an exact Replica. They make a replica of the 1950 Dubrovnik in Slovenia.
PolarChess wrote:
The HOS set is an exact replica of a 1970 Dubrovnik chess set. The CB set is not, however; the CB pawn does look better and the queens coronet too :) I just bought the HOS set and have no regrets about it!
Thanks
The HOS does not look like an exact replica of any circa 1970 Dubrovnik set or for that matter any vintage pre-1970 Dubrovnik set that I've seen. Can you post pictures of the 1970 set which you say looks "exactly" like the HOS Dubrovnik? The HOS set is nice, I love its extra wide base pieces, but it does not look like any of the 1960-s70s Dubrovnik sets. Thanks for your thoughts
PolarChess wrote:
The HOS set is an exact replica of a 1970 Dubrovnik chess set.
Nope. But it's close enough in that price range.
-Izmet
You may want to credit the chess museum when you are using their pics...
http://www.chess-museum.com/staunton-style.html
Also, I am sceptical of any claims made by HoS. They have a long track record of making stuff up. As for their Dubrovnik replica set, it is pretty close, and I'm sure there were variances of the 1970 sets floating around, so who can tell for sure what the definitive design of the set is supposed to look like. From what I can tell, HoS at a minimum changed the knight a little, and increased the overall size of the set to 3.75".
PolarChess.. That was my fear as well on the black dyed pieces. I think you could get black shoe dye & fix the faded black pieces if it comes to that. Frank.. I have the Shessham set from Chess Bazaar & it looks identical to the Dubrovnik 2 on the NOJ site unless I am missing something here. I wonder what ifkali AKA Jonas thinks of the Chess Bazaar version? For the price & free shipping its close enough to the real Dubrovnk for me at least. Its really a great set of pieces IMO.
Polarchess.. Frank is a supporter of HOS. If you read his many posts about HOS he has only good things to say about them. The HOS Dubrovnik is a nice set without a doubt. The Queen's Coronet has been changed from the original which you can see on the NOJ chess site. Its still a close copy of a nice looking set but, in No Way an Exact Copy.!
PolarChess wrote: You get angry about no credit for an image nobody cares about and then you defame HOS, an honourable company, without one example? Shame on you!
I wasn't angry, and didn't mean to come across that way. Merely pointing out that it's good manners to credit someone when using their picture (something I haven't always done myself).
As for HoS - I like them and buy from them frequently. Doesn't mean I have to buy their Marketing claims. To show that I'm not actually "defaming" them, here's 3 examples:
- they claim the 1970 Dubrovnik was redesigned for the chess olympiad in Siegen/Germany. As others have posted in threads here (including photographic evidence), a German design was used in Siegen, not a Dubrovnik
- they claim a fictitious provenance for the "Zagreb" set, which has no basis in fact. The set used in 59 in Zagreb was a Portoroz set (to the best of my knowledge). The HoS Zagreb is just a made-up design
- The were selling a set under the "New York Series" name, which they were previously selling as a BCC replica under the name "BCC London Series", claiming it was a replica of a BCC set from the 1920s. In fact, BCC stopped producing sets around the turn of the century, and the HoS set was modeled after an Ayres set
Points well made Frank.! The HOS Dubrovnik is a very nice set & I almost ordered one myself. Compared to the NOJ version which is out of my price range. Then I read goodnightmike's thread about the Chess Bazaar version & pulled the trigger. The price including free shipping was too good to pass up. The Dubrovnik version is evey bit as high quality as another set I bought from HOS. The craftsmanship on both is superb.!
You guys need to get out more : )