Knight vision (or how I chose and recently got a chess set).
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Apr 28, 2022
0
#3
wids88 wrote: Could you post some pictures of your set?
Sorry, I can't. I don't get the picture button to insert them. Probably because I only just joined and the "paid for" hasn't kicked in yet.
Lots of pics of the same design at this link, though not ebony .
https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/the-house-of-staunton-quotherman-master-series-luxury-chess-piecesquot
Anybody can post photos here, the picture button is here.
I would argue that you can get a set with knights in your quality specs for a few hundred brand new. Just not from HOS. I bought the Elite 4" set from Staunton Castle and it was lovely, as are my knights in my library set that was far less expensive.
https://stauntoncastle.com/products/elite-series-4-premium-staunton-ebony-chessmen
And here's the library/club set:
Apr 28, 2022
0
#6
Ibuildchess wrote:
Anybody can post photos here, the picture button is here.
No. The picture button ISN'T there for me. If I could post a picture I'd show you.
The emoji, picture and video buttons are all missing.
Odd, perhaps it's until your account has been vetted. I certainly don't pay any subscription and I post photos here often.
Did you have a look at Staunton Castle's offerings?
Apr 28, 2022
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#8
Ibuildchess wrote:
Odd, perhaps it's until your account has been vetted. I certainly don't pay any subscription and I post photos here often.
Did you have a look at Staunton Castle's offerings?
I did, but none made the shortlist in the size I wanted. My set has a 5" king with 2" base.
Size aside, the knights in your first post are getting there (thanks for posting). Quite nice, but a little bug-eyed IMO. The ones in the second set are too caricature-like for my taste. Fussy, I know, but I'm glad I was patient and waited. I got exactly what I wanted in the end (subject to budget constraints, of course).
Apr 29, 2022
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#9
Yay, my picture-button problem resolved itself today. Here's the pics I wanted to post.
My general perspective on a chess set. Knight first, with other pieces, on a board.
Gorgeous knights! I like how the slight variations in carving convey different "personalities" for each piece. The black knight looks a bit stern and determined here while the white one looks like he's just having a great time. Imagination, I know, but all part of the enjoyment 
Another view, showing more of the details - of the knights.
B&W version of above to bring out the grain details. Lovely woods.
Oh, and other pieces, with a board. First setup while checking condition. Phone snap.
The board is a smidge tight (2.2" squares). A board with 2.5" squares is imminent...
Apr 30, 2022
0
#10
PS. I couldn't find any way to zoom into pics on this site. But if you right click an image and "open image in a new tab" (Chrome), you'll get the uploaded size. Easier to inspect detail, if you want to.
Nice looking set. I understand the appeal of the knights, they're very distinct.
I saw that you're hoping to acquire a 63mm board for them, I would caution that based on your King base dimension your set is sized for a 68mm (2.66") board.
Very nice indeed Beatsy, congatz.
Apr 30, 2022
0
#13
Thanks (ibuildchess). I did find articles explaining square size. None mentioned anything over 2.5", but from the general guidelines I figured the "proper" size would be larger. Thanks for your confirmation of that. As it happens, I do prefer the pieces to sit a little denser on the board. So I drew a few 2.5" squares and tested moving pieces between diagonally opposing king and queen. Surprising how much difference only 0.3" extra makes, no more knocking other pieces as they move through. It works fine for me, anyway. And boards with 2.5" squares seem generally cheaper (erm, less expensive) and easier to find 2nd hand/vintage. Still "in negotiations" for the one I found though, and it could fall through. If a bigger one showed up subsequently, I would still consider it. Cheers
My dream chess set comprises four gorgeous knights, hand carved from premium woods into exquisitely-detailed, naturalistic forms with a traditional finish and a quality feel in use. And other pieces. On a board.
I admit it. I judge a chess set by its knights and little else. As long as the other pieces are easily recognizable and match the knights in style and heft (lots of heft), then they're desirable too!
I decided I wanted a big premium tournament set of my own two years ago but my knight-centred ambitious standards meant a £low-hundreds budget could only reach 2nd-hand, maybe. Fairly priced sets like these show up so rarely too. So I set to searching to make a short list.
I couldn't believe how many really-expensive sets had the knight's eyes modeled with crude drilled holes or punched rings that were often inaccurately positioned too. The vast majority of the Staunton-like candidates were like this. Modern, vintage or antique. Yeee-uck!
I know a lot of work goes into a quality chess set and heard the knights can be >50% of the cost. The process and designs clearly need simplification to keep labour cost viable. But I can't believe people pay serious $four-figures sums for sets with such poor detail, especially on the knights! Sacrilege! As far as I'm concerned, if it ain't premium all over then it ain't premium at all!
So my short list ended up exactly that, short, and all entries were extreme long-shots to meet budget. I put the searches into Ebay and waited with little hope. I got loads of hits over time, but all of them were "way too costly" or "way too crude". Hope faded...
Then last week a "Herman Steiner Master Series" set in ebony and boxwood appeared. Top of my shortlist! It looked absolutely stunning at the price, great condition, and I could afford it - at last! The set had matched my expectations on sight then totally exceeded them when I got it. Pure tactile excellence throughout with knights to die for. Those *proper* eyes really ARE gorgeous! Requirements met.
I'm really pleased with the outcome and out of the market now with no intention to return. But this whole business did make me wonder if the high costs of most "premium" sets are warranted by the workmanship. For the vast majority of new sets and even most antique ones, I've come to think not! But then I only think about the knights, and their eyes
Any thoughts?