Originally Posted by Kensei

Hmm, actually Chen swords are some of the worst out there, and are not considered to be of high quality, at least not by the sword community at large. It is a mis belief that has been spread amoung some sword users out there that his swords are some how superior. They are actually well overpriced, and I have visisted his Forge in Dalian, and it's not very impressive. Your paying for his name more then anything else, and he doesn't even play a very active role in the making of any of his swords anymore. Good guy, knowledgeable, but no better then some of the other forges in china which, while les well known, many produce far superior blades to Chens. How do I know, I live in China. If your lucky you can find a local smith who is also schooled in making swords, thats your best bet. Not an easy task, but if your going to live over here, and love swords, it's your best bet. I'd stay away from chen blades though. While many are differentially tempered, the heat treatment is often shoddy, they bend easily, try and bend one, likely you can, and it will stay bent, that's not good, not for 600 to 1,000. Not when you buy something for a fraction of that and it will not bend, no no, not good at all. Just have to know where to look.