Agathis or Shin kaya

[infectedbrain]

I am going to buy a go board today and i was wondering which was better.

this one from yutopian.com

Its agathis made in korea.
https://www.yutopian.com/yutop/cat?product=TK135&category=t

Or this Shin-Kaya
I have no idea where it was made.
http://www.ymimports.com/p-133-shin-kaya-2-38-6cm-go-floor-board.aspx

I just want to know hitch is better quality.
I like the looks of both the same.

thanks,

[tj86430]

The agathis board seems to made of one block of wood (based on the photo). If that is really true, I would go for it based on that alone.

[infectedbrain]

But the other board is also 1 pice of wood.
Is it just me or does the agathis board look wared

[tchan001]

If you're planning to spend around USD300 for a go board, why not look at the Hyuga Kaya Table Go Boards from Kurokigoishi. You can write an email to them about your budget and ask them what they recommend for you including shipping from Japan.

[infectedbrain]

I wanted a Floor goban and I am in a little bit of a rush to order it.

[gowan]

Both boards are machine made with stained top and sides and printed-on lines. The stain on the top of the agathis board is a very light beige color which almost completely obscures the grain of the wood. The shin-kaya board's stain is bright yellow, too bright in my opinion. This is only based on the pictures. The shin-kaya board will seem very low if you intend to use it on the floor. The agathis board top will be at a more comfortable height when using the board on the floor. Because of the use of mass production machines in the manufacture there are likely to be uneven color and some minor imperfections in both boards.

[infectedbrain]

This is my first goban so I am not in search of perfection but i would like to know which is of better quality or otherwise a better buy.

[gowan]

This is my first goban so I am not in search of perfection but i would like to know which is of better quality or otherwise a better buy.

Frankly, I am not impressed by the quality of either of these boards. I would recommend the agathis board if you have to buy one of these two, only because it resembles more a traditional board with carved legs. If you are open to a different source you might consider Shodan Imports : http://shodanimports.com/index.php?main ... cPath=1_11 Their shin kaya size 20 board is about the same price as the agathis board but the quality of manufacture will be much higher and, compared to the shin kaya board from YMI the height of the board from the floor is more suitable, the legs are carved, and the color is much more pleasing.

[infectedbrain]

I am very mad a shodan right now. I ordered the size 20 and they said they woere all out.

it was still on the site though. it made me mad.

[sixko]

If you are open to a different source you might consider Shodan Imports : http://shodanimports.com/index.php?main ... cPath=1_11 Their shin kaya size 20 board is about the same price as the agathis board but the quality of manufacture will be much higher and, compared to the shin kaya board from YMI the height of the board from the floor is more suitable, the legs are carved, and the color is much more pleasing.

Wouldn't even have to think about if I had to choose between these three.

[infectedbrain]

Well the shodan boards are all sold out and the agathis board looks bent. I think ill go with the yellow mountain one but the one that comes with the yunzi stones.

Thanks for all the input guys

[cdybeijing]

Well the shodan boards are all sold out and the agathis board looks bent. I think ill go with the yellow mountain one but the one that comes with the yunzi stones.

Thanks for all the input guys

I can't be entirely sure, but I believe I own the shin-kaya board you are describing from Yellow Mountain imports. The reason I am not sure is because I bought my board directly from the manufacturer in Yunnan and mine does not have legs. However, the wood and color of my board are the same as pictured and mine is about 3 inches thick. My wife paid less than the price listed but we did not get it through a distributor and we live in China.

When I first received the board, my feeling was that the stain was a bit more yellowish than I would have normally wanted (the board was a gift to me, so I did not choose it myself). However, with the matching bowls and double convex yunzi stones I have, I quickly grew accustomed and the color doesn't bother me at all.

The board is a quality piece of timber with an excellent grain pattern, but it is machine made and you should expect some imperfections. The lines are painted on, but in the ten months I have had mine they are still crisp and bold. The wood is soft and does dent when a stone is popped. It doesn't bother me much, but my board is marked all over with shallow bumps.

The shape has gradually warped through the summer and winter in Beijing. It is perceptible if you set out to examine the board, but while playing it is not something I notice. I have not used any kind of protective covering and I'm not sure if such a thing would help prevent warping. After ten months, there are no signs of cracking.

If you would like to know more I could probably post some pictures of my board.

[infectedbrain]

I expect slight warping where i am because it is always humid here.

But yeah i would like to see some pictures if it is not too much trouble