Post by Marc Kaden Ridgeway on Mar 31, 2009 22:31:38 GMT -5
Hi there.
I'd like to encourage reviews of any sword you might want to review. Even wall-hangers, custom one-offs or discontinued swords.
Why? It all contributes to the Knowlege Base... and is invaluable for future reference. Even if a sword is discontinued, one might find one on the secondary market, or the comparison to current similar models may be useful.
While any thoughts you share are good, I'd like to share some guidelines to help you along.
Be Objective
This is the number one most important part of a review. Sometimes that new sword buzz can blind us to flaws, that really aren't acceptable.
Its best to get out of the "honeymoon period" before reviewing...but I never do...LOL. So just try to be as objective as possible... be honest but fair, report shortcomings clinically, not emotionally , but keep in mind that all production swords represent huge compromises in their construction to save cost... and be fair about any issues. I.E. ... if a sword is well wrapped , do not judge to harshly if wood shows here or there on the core... that sort of thing. If the sword is of quality construct, cosmetic issues are not crucial , and should be reported, but kept in perspective.
Provide Perspective
Please provide the reader with some perspective by which to judge you review. By that I mean, your experience level.
No-one likes to think of themselves as a newb...but lets face it...it matters. When someone experienced reads your review, they will have a different perspective than you. Also , newer folks may take high praise to heart, and spend money on a less than worthy sword. If its your first sword...say so.
As we all grow in experience, and handle an increasing variety of swords, the quality of our reviews will grow as well.
Be Thorough
Try to be as thorough as possible. Mention as much as you can about all aspects of the sword. If possible include lots of nice pictures.... hosting services like imageshack, or photobucket will help in posting pics. It is often hard to find decent pictures online.. and often pictures ARE worth 1000 words.
Heres some tips on pictures that will help people visually judge a sword. All over shots that show the whole sword and scabbard , and shots of the whole sword without the saya/scabbard.
Shots of the hilt/handle... the wrap..etc. The pommel/kashira. Any collar, or the fuchi. The guard, or tsuba. A shot down the cutting length of the blade. The tip or Kissaki, especially important on Japanese swords.
Pictures are best taken without flash... inside with indirect light, or ideally outside , when overcast if possible. Contrasting colors in the backdrop also helps. Photos can distort the image causing parallax type effect, so take them from several angles....downward , upward . straight on, from the left , and from the right.
Here's some help being thorough...
Introduction
Mention what attracted you to the sword
or why you bought it. Share first impressions , and include an attention getting first photo of the sword.
Some people like to talk about the packaging here... I don't but there is nothing wrong with it. Certainly mention it if it is remarkable though... either very bad, or very good.
Specifications
Now list details about the swords. Weight , handle length, blade length, Point of Balance, Center of Percussion, nodes , if you know what they are... etc.
Listing the manufacturers stats id fine, but they often vary, so check as many as you can , and note discrepancies.
Aesthetics and Fit and Finish
Describe the appearance of the sword, what colors, finishes, how does it flow? Talk about the fittings, the handle, the blade, the tip , and the polish. On Japanese swords also mention hamon or hada if applicable, and describe the kissaki... again , here , good photos will tell more than you ever can.
Now tell us how the sword is built..is it tight , solid, symmetrical?
Does it rattle, flex, vibrate? Does it feel sturdy and well made , or flimsy and thrown together.
Handling
Again. talk about the weight and the POB. Mention how the sword handles for the activities you use it for. If you do not practice forms... don't comment on that, instead tell us about YOUR experience. Is it tip heavy? Fast? Slow? Compare it to other swords you've handled.
Cutting
Not everyone cuts, but if you do tell us how it cut, describe your targets, etc.
Critical Section
I like to provide a critical section, especially on good swords. I call mine "The Good , The Bad, and the Ugly". This is a good time to force yourself to really nitpick the sword... find issues you wouldn't normally notice or comment on. Any imperfection, trot it out... but remember to be fair...
This section really helps to temper NSE (new sword enthusiasm) from fatally tainting a review.
Conclusion
Sum up your overall thoughts and experience with the sword and the retailer.Share your opinion... and your feelings... here you can drop the clinical , and scientific attitude from the review, and let your emotions run rampant... just describe how you feel about the whole experience. Make reccomendations...or not.
One Last thought from me...
Remember , your review may help separate people from their hard earned money. Thats quite a responsibility.
In the end, no-one is making you write a review, or forcing you to make it thorough, objective , or even truthful. You aren't trying to sell anyones swords, and ideally none is paying you to review their products.
Writing a good review is alot of work, and takes lots of preparation. A review usually takes me several hours. Even a simple one. It's a lot of hard work.
So why take the time to make a good, honest , thorough review? In the end, you are doing it for the community...to help others who share your passion , and to increase our overall knowledge base on available swords. Its for all of us. If we all do it...we all benefit.
[shadow=navy,left,300]Thanks for taking time to read this, and .... Happy Reviewing[/shadow]
I'd like to encourage reviews of any sword you might want to review. Even wall-hangers, custom one-offs or discontinued swords.
Why? It all contributes to the Knowlege Base... and is invaluable for future reference. Even if a sword is discontinued, one might find one on the secondary market, or the comparison to current similar models may be useful.
While any thoughts you share are good, I'd like to share some guidelines to help you along.
Be Objective
This is the number one most important part of a review. Sometimes that new sword buzz can blind us to flaws, that really aren't acceptable.
Its best to get out of the "honeymoon period" before reviewing...but I never do...LOL. So just try to be as objective as possible... be honest but fair, report shortcomings clinically, not emotionally , but keep in mind that all production swords represent huge compromises in their construction to save cost... and be fair about any issues. I.E. ... if a sword is well wrapped , do not judge to harshly if wood shows here or there on the core... that sort of thing. If the sword is of quality construct, cosmetic issues are not crucial , and should be reported, but kept in perspective.
Provide Perspective
Please provide the reader with some perspective by which to judge you review. By that I mean, your experience level.
No-one likes to think of themselves as a newb...but lets face it...it matters. When someone experienced reads your review, they will have a different perspective than you. Also , newer folks may take high praise to heart, and spend money on a less than worthy sword. If its your first sword...say so.
As we all grow in experience, and handle an increasing variety of swords, the quality of our reviews will grow as well.
Be Thorough
Try to be as thorough as possible. Mention as much as you can about all aspects of the sword. If possible include lots of nice pictures.... hosting services like imageshack, or photobucket will help in posting pics. It is often hard to find decent pictures online.. and often pictures ARE worth 1000 words.
Heres some tips on pictures that will help people visually judge a sword. All over shots that show the whole sword and scabbard , and shots of the whole sword without the saya/scabbard.
Shots of the hilt/handle... the wrap..etc. The pommel/kashira. Any collar, or the fuchi. The guard, or tsuba. A shot down the cutting length of the blade. The tip or Kissaki, especially important on Japanese swords.
Pictures are best taken without flash... inside with indirect light, or ideally outside , when overcast if possible. Contrasting colors in the backdrop also helps. Photos can distort the image causing parallax type effect, so take them from several angles....downward , upward . straight on, from the left , and from the right.
Here's some help being thorough...
Introduction
Mention what attracted you to the sword
or why you bought it. Share first impressions , and include an attention getting first photo of the sword.
Some people like to talk about the packaging here... I don't but there is nothing wrong with it. Certainly mention it if it is remarkable though... either very bad, or very good.
Specifications
Now list details about the swords. Weight , handle length, blade length, Point of Balance, Center of Percussion, nodes , if you know what they are... etc.
Listing the manufacturers stats id fine, but they often vary, so check as many as you can , and note discrepancies.
Aesthetics and Fit and Finish
Describe the appearance of the sword, what colors, finishes, how does it flow? Talk about the fittings, the handle, the blade, the tip , and the polish. On Japanese swords also mention hamon or hada if applicable, and describe the kissaki... again , here , good photos will tell more than you ever can.
Now tell us how the sword is built..is it tight , solid, symmetrical?
Does it rattle, flex, vibrate? Does it feel sturdy and well made , or flimsy and thrown together.
Handling
Again. talk about the weight and the POB. Mention how the sword handles for the activities you use it for. If you do not practice forms... don't comment on that, instead tell us about YOUR experience. Is it tip heavy? Fast? Slow? Compare it to other swords you've handled.
Cutting
Not everyone cuts, but if you do tell us how it cut, describe your targets, etc.
Critical Section
I like to provide a critical section, especially on good swords. I call mine "The Good , The Bad, and the Ugly". This is a good time to force yourself to really nitpick the sword... find issues you wouldn't normally notice or comment on. Any imperfection, trot it out... but remember to be fair...
This section really helps to temper NSE (new sword enthusiasm) from fatally tainting a review.
Conclusion
Sum up your overall thoughts and experience with the sword and the retailer.Share your opinion... and your feelings... here you can drop the clinical , and scientific attitude from the review, and let your emotions run rampant... just describe how you feel about the whole experience. Make reccomendations...or not.
One Last thought from me...
Remember , your review may help separate people from their hard earned money. Thats quite a responsibility.
In the end, no-one is making you write a review, or forcing you to make it thorough, objective , or even truthful. You aren't trying to sell anyones swords, and ideally none is paying you to review their products.
Writing a good review is alot of work, and takes lots of preparation. A review usually takes me several hours. Even a simple one. It's a lot of hard work.
So why take the time to make a good, honest , thorough review? In the end, you are doing it for the community...to help others who share your passion , and to increase our overall knowledge base on available swords. Its for all of us. If we all do it...we all benefit.
[shadow=navy,left,300]Thanks for taking time to read this, and .... Happy Reviewing[/shadow]
