Let's talk about plastic

Is wood really better than plastic? Plastic you can knock around. Plastic is lighter. It's less expensive. It lasts forever (I think). The only difference is wood feels warmer to the touch.

When it comes to playing chess, and I mean actually playing chess, it's always plastic. At chess clubs you want plastic because there's many sets and it's light. I was considering donating wood sets to my local chess club and that's why I'm making this thread. I think they'd ultimately prefer to use plastic sets. Honestly, wouldn't you?

Yeah, plastic would probably be the way to go.  Wood pieces are good if they are yours and you respect them and have a desire to take care of them.  Let's be realistic, somebody who is playing w/ wood pieces is going to treat them the same as cheap plastic pieces if they weren't the ones paying for it :)

There is nothing more pleasing than a fine wood set to play freinds with at home. Anything else I use a plastic set. If its going to a local Chess Club it probably needs to be plastic. The reason is the pieces are going to see some real abuse IMO.

Crap, guys! I really wanted to make some wood sets for my chess club... They're not going to want to set up/put away heavy boards every week.

Yep there is a different magestic feeling when playing with wood. Plastic feels cheap and amateurish and I dont like being reminded of my amateurishness.

Plastic is full of chemicals that can give you cancer through your fingertips in later years.

I am a member of two chess clubs. Both use heavy wooden pieces, wooden bords and pretty strong lighting. Doesn't hurt the eyes as much after staring at it for 4~5 hours in my experience.

A person who has used wooden pieces and boards from early in life will always consider plastic equipment to be second rate.

Yes, you'll have to pay extra for wood and at some clubs you might have to be be watchful for the safety of your set.  However, at some clubs you'd have to watch over a plastic set as well.

I have one of these sets, bought for US$140.http://www.chessusa.com/product/FLAT_CHESS_SETS/4A-025.html

You can find less expensive options, but there'll likely be compromises in size or quality.

Chess clubs use plastic sets because they are cheap and less prone to damage. I'm pretty sure they would love to use wood sets if price isn't a factor.

I rate wood a close 3rd behind Gold & Platinum but after 3 marriages Gold & Platinum are out of the question. When it comes to plastic I just don't like the feel & weight

You can still use a wooden set even if you're using a roll up vinyl/silicone/mousepad "board".  German knight sets aren't my favorite but they're the European standard tournament set and are widely available for $60 or so.  It's a very basic set and designed to withstand rough handling.  Let me see if I can find the ChessBazaar link:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Shesham-Wood-Staunton-Tournament-Chess-Set-German-Knight-chessbazaar-/390635324143?pt=Games_US&hash=

I think I prefer the ebonized version:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chessbazaar-Stained-Dyed-Staunton-Tournament-Chess-Set-German-Knight-/321139538721?pt=Games_US&hash=i

It melts if you leave it in a hot car. RIP, my nice double-weighted Drueke set. We had a good 30 years.

If your donating to your chess club you would be better off donating plastic if money is a factor. That way you could buy more chess sets for less money. If money is not a factor, it is always nicer to play with wood sets. If you want a nice set for your home for use by friends and family, wood is best.  

To play or display, that is the question. 

Wood isn't necessarily for display only. There are plenty mid to low level wood chess pieces.

Tradition

Heirloom quality wood sets last forever and pass on through families for generations.

I think if you offered nice wood sets no club would turn you down.

Plastic is cheaper and wears longer, and I'm guessing that's why clubs use them.

Wood is beautiful, and I would love to own a high quality, polished wood set someday, but it's an expense I really can't justify right now. My triple weighted plastic tournament set is quite good enough, and cost me only $14.

I don't know about you, but I like my stone set the best! I play on it on a regular basis, and it looks great.

I agree....I kept my grandpa's chess set when he died....it is one of my most precious treasure.

I´m 65 yrs old and have played chess from an early age. Grown up with wooden pieces and bought my first plastic set a few years ago and I can´t say that I play any better with wooden ones. The same goes for boards.