What's up with all the "from Japan" clubs all over ebay with serious markup?

[bobfoster]

On 7/16/2021 at 10:01 PM, PhlashPhace said:

Like I said swords are forged not cast.  I’m not sure how I got involved with swords or knives being cast.  A foundry by definition is where metal is cast or poured.  Knives and swords are made in a Forge not a Foundry.

 

@bobfoster I said Samurai swords are made in a Forge not a Foundry and you’re calling me out for saying, well, exactly what I’m not sure…  I’ve got a lot of casting and forging experience but you’re telling me I’m saying one thing when I literally said the other thing…

The Mizuno forge - I love this stuff.

 

 

[Mustard_Tiger]

On 7/15/2021 at 4:00 PM, larryd3 said:

But back to the original question, clubs that are made in the US like Bettinardi and Piretti putters, why would somebody pay a bunch extra to buy it from a person in Japan and have it shipped over?  Just doesn't make any sense to me at all.  

 

 

This is what many people in this thread are missing. There are jacked up prices for clubs that are sold in the U.S. It's not an exclusivity thing or a JDM thing. It's been this way for a couple of years. I regularly follow the Bettinardi market so this is something I've been aware for a long time. It does not make sense.

 

Usually when I do searches I limit it to U.S. sellers since I have no interest in wading though 1/3 of the Bettinardi listings being absurdly priced putters from Japanese sellers.

[Caerus`]

hit some japan forged irons made for the Japan market and you probably will never want to hit anything else ever again, they feel better, they look better, they are made to tighter tolerances, they are just better and worth the price increase

[sociojeje]

Many Japanese clubs were once made in Japan. Some Japan (or east asia) only models existed such as my beloved legacy irons. Some companies still do but it doesn't look exclusive anymore. For example, Jaws forged wedge has more lofts in Japan. However, those are still "assembled in China/Japan," which means parts are perhaps made in China.  If you see the same model, then absolutely zero reason to buy it from Japan unless you like the JDM model shafts better. Indeed, many JDM drivers come with Tour AD shafts in stock (can't confirm if it is watered down). If you are talking about crazy expensive small Japanese brands, they may feel better. However, those are mostly to cater people who want to show off. If you want precisely manufactured clubs, you can simply buy tour-only models. Along with legacy irons, I still play with RC dual bite wedge (50). I use it because I have it. It says Japan forged but nothing special there. I used to have 56 and 60 too but pm grind 19 works way better and I sold those two long ago. Oh, I still have a prgr egg fairway and it was one of my worst purchases. 

[miamistomp]

 Japan does limited production metal items well

 

 When I was a competitive black powder shooter- the Japanese  Browning rifles were light years ahead of the Italian and US  offerings 

 

Real Seki City knives are also quite good

 

The Dunlop/ XXIO/Srixon forged  JDM irons are also quite good- I am using the forged XXIO now and they were not expensive at all used

Workmanship is top notch

 

Big thing to watch for is that some  JDM clubs are  too short and too flat for taller folks- I was lucky to find a set that was correct length

 

The Kyoei Heritage irons that a pro friend has are really amazing if you are good enough to hit them