Life In 19x19

Hi guys,

So newbie here, been trying to play GO for many years...I start, then get frustrated, back off for a while, then start again...and so its been for many years. I only play against a computer (pc, phone and online).

Anyway, irrespective of my go history, I would like to have a nice looking GO set at home (actually have 5 already) - but now looking to get something along the lines of:
www.amazon.com/Etched-Bamboo-Double-Convex-Stones/dp/B00KL0DL5A/ref=nav_signin?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1496025659&sr=1-3&keywords=yunzi+go+game+set&

Unfortunately the above product doesnt ship to my country from Amazon

Can anyone comment on the GO set above, or suggest something similar (in the Asia Pacific region)?
Also, I read somewhere Yunzi may have lead in them?

Look forward to hearing from you

Cheers
Shim

PS. while writing this post, I also came across this set:
shop.gogameguru.com/standard-go-game-set/

But if there are any more in ASIA-PAC region, please send them on, thank you

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bamboo-0-8-Go-B ... 1876015041

Alternatively and possibly cheaper is to search for 围棋盘 竹 on world.taobao.com and then find a taobao shipping agent to help you handle the shopping process.

ShimGo wrote:PS. while writing this post, I also came across this set:
shop.gogameguru.com/standard-go-game-set/

Aside from it being listed as out of stock, gogameguru is no longer taking orders. (see banner at top of page)

ShimGo wrote:Hi guys,

Also, I read somewhere Yunzi may have lead in them?

Yunzi hardly contains lead, may perhaps have some traces, but is totally safe.
See elsewhere on this forum.

Hi,

Does world.taobao.com run in English? Unfortunately I cant read Chinese...

thank you

Look for a suitable taobao shipping agent which can help you order in English. You will need one to help you transship it to your address anyways. I don't have any recommendations so please compare the services offered and associated COSTS before making a decision on choosing which agent to use.

Hang on a second, have you not looked at Yellow Mountain Imports' eBay page? They ship internationally on eBay.

& before you buy that bamboo board, bear in mind it is VERY hard, like, really hard. The top is kinda shiny because it's bamboo that's been polished / whatever. So you might get some stone sliding issues. Also the colour is somewhat darker than kaya / spruce / beech veneer, so I found mine difficult to play in a pub with low lighting.

I ended up getting another set, but it's personal preference I guess. But get the Yunzi stones though, they're pretty cool

I second what Jujube said about bamboo being very (too) hard, with stones skidding issues, and the stain a bit (too) dark.
Of course, your mileage may vary; different preferences.

Thank u for the feedback guys, in that case what would you recommend?

If you have a chance to examine different types of board in person, that's helpful.

Shin-kaya is nice.

I keep hearing that, what about stone sizes? Is that personal preference I guess?

Yes, personal preferences.

( Rumor has it Mr. Cho Chikun's favorite for shell stones is size 38 ( ~10.7 mm ))