I purchased a Kris Cutlery gim for training in taichi sword form. In my humble opinion, it is an excellent value.

The blade is hand-forged 5160 and given a fine satin-finish. The cross-section is a flattened-diamond, with all lines and grinds clean and straight. You can request it sharpened or unsharpened.
The edges run parallel until about 2" from the point, after which they curve inwards to form a strong thrusting point.

The balance is about 3.5" in front of the guard and overall weight is just under 2.5 lbs. (w/o scabbard)

The guard and pommel are polished brass and had only one or two very small casting marks. The hilt is a barrel-shaped hardwood piece sealed and bound with lacquered cotton cord. Despite my misgivings, the lacquered cord has proven quite durable and stays clean. If replacement is needed/desired, the cord wrapping can be slit and peeled off, but the wood should be recovered or sealed to prevent splitting.

Included with the sword is a waxed hardwood scabbard. Per Cecil Quirino - the owner - the wood used is called molave, but it looks like a pale mahogany. The carrying hardware on the sheath is polished brass. The finish on the scabbard has held up well to sweat, rain, and bouncing around in the back of a truck. If it wears I'll just sand and coat it with some clear polyurethane or lacquer.

The scabbard is solid and sturdy enough that one can deliver a good jab or solid blow before it breaks. (not a bad idea if you get caught with your sword sheathed or want something to parry with besides your blade) If I had my druthers, I'd put metal toe and throat pieces on it or clad it in metal.

The blade is a very good thruster, at least on foam, 1/4" plywood and pizza boxes. I haven't tested the cutting ability yet, but plan to travel to Atrim's top-secret testing facility and do so. (EDITOR'S NOTE - Atrim is one of our HSG Sword Evaluators and staff member. - WarAngel)

According to Cecil, Kris Cutlery's owner, this blade is one of the last hardened in the "eastern" tradition, i.e. differentially hardened, with the edges at a higher Rockwell hardness than the spine. Future Kris Cutlery gims will be spring-tempered. He plans to have all his swords spring-tempered except the katanas, dao, and Filipino swords.

Overall length, 38". Wt. 2 lbs. $195

Click here for Kris Cutlery's website where they sell their Gim sword.