The Great Unknown - Fore'bes!

[gobose]

Little known Japanese Forging House

Hey folks, 1st posting on this site. I gave up my Hogan Edge GS (Forged in Ft Worth, not just assembled) to my son. The things still look great since I bought them back in 1993.

So I've been browsing around for another great set of forged irons and came across KZG. I've noticed a lot of speculation about who forges their irons and I believe I have conclusive proof that it's an relatively unknown company called Fore'bes of Japan.

Check it out here: http://www.iealing.com/tn/shipper/2007/F/FOREBESCOLTDWA.html

and their homepage:http://www.forebes.co.jp/

You can learn more about them here as well: http://cgi.ebay.com/NANO-POWER-golf-Forged...%3A1%7C294%3A50

I'm not sure, but the Nano Power "I" series sure does resemble the Srixion "I" Series but no confirmation on that.

Anyhow, from what I've read about KZG, it appears that Fore'bes does an awesome job with their forgings.

I thoroughly enjoy this site and have learned much already. Thought I would toss in my two cents on a re-occuring question about KZG.

[deakanutz]

Nice that was some real digging

[shuttle1]

I could easily be wrong... or right... but I think these guys are just dealers or distributors. I don't think they are the actual forging house. That is done by Kyoei.

 

Either way the KZG's and Vega's are some sweet clubs. Wish I could read Japanese!!

[gobose]

You guys might be right about Fore'bes although Maxus Sports on Ebay proclaims:

 

Hand-forged by Japanese Master.

Club heads manufactured in Japan by Fore'bes, The NO.1 Supplier of forged head.

 

You have to check out this picture of Kyoei Golf HQ's in Japan: http://www.kyoeigolf.com/About/company.html

 

It reminds me of my Dad in this sense: He had a grundgy garage that turned out award winning antique restored vehicles.

[uadogdog]

KZG forgings are done by Kyoei, same place as Vega...really high-end stuff. KZG is a relatively famous brand in Asia as there is another KZG called KZG, The Asian Spec...this is owned by the people who own Maxus Golf. This is all throughout Asia and is growing. Check this link and see what some crazy KZG clubs there are that you definitely wont find in the states:

 

http://maxusgolf.shop.rakuten.tw/200000000074839/

[gobose]

Ok. If I'm going off the deep end with this stuff just let me know. Apparently, KZG also operates as:

 

Scottish Glen Golf Co.,inc.

5125 LANKERSHIM BLVD

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA 91601

President: JENNIFER KING

 

So it looks like KZG is using Kyoei and a Fore'bes for their golf heads if these shipping manifests are correct.

 

Here's a link to Kyoei's most recent shipment to the USA/KZG: http://www.iealing.com/tn/shipper/2008/K/K...STRYCOLTD5.html

http://www.iealing.com/tn/shipper/2007/K/K...STRYCOLTD5.html

 

For 2006, Kyoei Golf doesn't have any manifests for USA shipments. Instead, it appears KZG used Fore'bes: http://www.iealing.com/tn/shipper/2006/F/FOREBESCOLTDWA.html

 

There is nothing from Fore'bes in 2008 and you have the aforementioned shipment in 2007.

 

Looks like KZG is splittin gthe business between the two or perhaps Fore'bes is acting as a distributor for Kyoei on occasion.

[gobose]

It seems you've got your pulse on the Asian market and Maxus Sports and Nano-Power. Have you looked at the Nano-Power listing on EBay? Who is forging those heads for Nano-Power/Maxus Sports? They claim Fore'bes but is that true?

[Lngnokr71]

I think Shuttle is right on this one, they look to be the distributors.

 

On side note checkout how these heads from Nano Power they golf look almost identical to another companies sticks, I bet if you scratch your head you can figure it out.

 

 

 

 

 

this is funny to hear because I posted this thread a little over a month ago...

 

Scratch lookalikes

 

[hattrick3518]

I could easily be wrong... or right... but I think these guys are just dealers or distributors. I don't think they are the actual forging house. That is done by Kyoei.

 

Either way the KZG's and Vega's are some sweet clubs. Wish I could read Japanese!!

 

yes they are, i seen two people with sets last summer.

 

I so badly want a total custom one off set of KZG ZO Blades!!!!!

 

-Satin finish

-Red Pearl Paint In the KZG Logo

-And Of Course My Initials Stamped in the clubs in white probably

 

i'l be back after i change my pants

[landshark]

the nano heads are very likely catalog head designs. tourspec golf has the same models also with the brand name geotech.

 

hattrick: you should check ebay or some of the other swap shop forums for a set of the kzg zo. i had a set several years back. very nice clubs for sure.

[gobose]

Ok. So I asked Nano-Power who mfg's their heads?

 

Here's what they had to say:

 

"Fore'bes is a Japanese company exporting forged head and also a club fitting equipment supplier in Japan.

 

This is their website http://www.forebes.co.jp/

 

These heads are from an well-experienced manufacturor in hyogo-ken Japan."

So, the pro's on this sight had it right. It's Kyoei Golf (Vega).

 

Sorry about the run around on a phantom forger (pardon the pun).

 

That's what I get for taking anything posted on EBay as fact.

[gobose]

 

Not exact, but pretty darn close. I don't like that Maxus claims Fore'bes as their mfg'r but I do beleive that their heads are made in Japan. I saw a set of shafted, Srixon I-302's new for $350 http://www.bestvaluegolf.com/srixon-i-302-...golf-clubs.html so Nano Power is hardly giving their heads away on EBay.

[Duffy19]

 

 

I would be shafing a set of Geotech forged EK irons next week. It does not quite have the softness of Scratch EZ (1018 vs. 1025) or the custom grind and finish, but at $60 a head, this would makes a great back up set, espeically I have a set of pulled Tour AD 75 to match it.

[Lobber]

Just pulled the trigger on a set of Nano Power 10 Heads for $350 including free shipping. Have a set of Graphite Design GAT 115 X Flex which I snagged new on Ebay for $75. So when all is said and done, grips, etc. I will get out for under $500 for a custom set of Japan forgings! Will post after they are built and I have a few rounds under my belt

[xxio]

 

I would be shafing a set of Geotech forged EK irons next week. It does not quite have the softness of Scratch EZ (1018 vs. 1025) or the custom grind and finish, but at $60 a head, this would makes a great back up set, espeically I have a set of pulled Tour AD 75 to match it.

 

 

Can you please post in hand pics of the grind and the pw beside a more familiar set? I'm thinking about a set as well.

[Duffy19]

 

I would be shafing a set of Geotech forged EK irons next week. It does not quite have the softness of Scratch EZ (1018 vs. 1025) or the custom grind and finish, but at $60 a head, this would makes a great back up set, espeically I have a set of pulled Tour AD 75 to match it.

 

 

Can you please post in hand pics of the grind and the pw beside a more familiar set? I'm thinking about a set as well.

 

 

I would do a pic comparison with my Hong Kong gamer, Epon type S or 501 (if my shafts get here soon).

[Lngnokr71]

If you look at the pic in the Ebay auction and look at the iron head size in comparison to the wedge size, they are about if not the same size as an Ar-1....I think it was someone's own judgement on size...Why don't you see if you can get the Nano's in left handed, have them stripped of the chrome and refinished however you want them. BOOM WALA you have your self a serious set of Scratch lookalikes that probably play just as well and you'll save yourself a ton of $$$$$.....I jumped on the Scratch band wagon last year and believe me they aren't all that....

[Nano-Golfer]

Dear all,

 

< Background >

Back in 1993 , a group of person from golf industry of both Japan & Taiwan were producing golf club heads with special material " Zirconia" for " diamond hard " hitting face , HV1400, materials including carbon shaft provided by Mr. Fumio Takano ( now president of Fore'bes Co., Ltd. ) , head manufacturing technologies by Mr. William Wu in Taiwan. Golf clubs sold in Asian countries only.

However, Mr. Bruce McKinnon was the representative in America to promote this tech to golf brand names in America for OEM business , that was before KZ Golf.

 

Come to the year of 2003 , the " NANO" technology was hot among the R&D of all kind of industry , the "dismond hard" hitting face was using the Zirconia of 150 nano-meter particle in production , that is really close to the definition of " Nano-products " – 100 nano-meter , both Fumio & William Wu decided to improve the particle to 50~100 nano-meter for the hitting face , it was successful , not just the hardness raised , the cosmetic & performance of club head improved.

 

Fumio & William sensed the improvement is significant , decided to give this technology a name , both agreed William Wu represents this tech and registered " NANO-POWER " & " NANO GENE " in Japan , America , China and other countries for these clubs.

You may sense that this tech costs a lot.

 

The clubs and promotions of brand names focus on Japan , China only, very expensive and low profile.

For clubs , club heads promoted in the market are Japan forged iron heads , models such as I-501 , J-68 , are forged and polished by 30 years experienced masters. Quantity is limited. Fumio is the person who produces and sells forged iron heads to overseas more than 30 years. His company Fore'bes Co., Ltd. Is still providing the service of OEM , however , more important is the promotion of NANO-POWER in Japan , while the rest of area is handled by William Wu , especially China !

 

There are golf clubs sold in Japan and Asia with brand name unknown to Americans , this is not something strange , similar to many products produced and sold in the America but never export to other countries.

 

Not after the marketing in China comes with a bloom , the "diamond hard" golf clubs would market to America ! The expensive retail price would not be accepted by the Americans while quite a few Chinese don't care the cost , they need to own it !

 

Many thanks for your kind concern , we hope the above descriptions satisfied :rolleyes: !

 

Best Regards / MAXUS SPORTS

 

 

 

[FairwayFred]

While similar looking in the cavity these are not the same forgings that we use for our AR1 irons. We do not use Kyoei as our foundry we use a small foundry in Hemiji that works in small batches, emphasizes quality over quantity and gives us a good deal of flexibility for production.

[eureka3432]

Does anybody know where does Yamaha iron forged at?

[anw0625]

[quote name='FairwayFred' post='1601020' date='Apr 2 2009, 11:03 PM']While similar looking in the cavity these are not the same forgings that we use for our AR1 irons. We do not use Kyoei as our foundry we use a small foundry in Hemiji that works in small batches, emphasizes quality over quantity and gives us a good deal of flexibility for production.[/quote]

Is Miura the only company in Hemiji?

[reisa]

Hey What do you think of the Nano Heads and which are they 1501 or 1502.

[prairiegolfer]

For KZG, It's Kyoei in Kanzaki-gun, Hyogo, Japan. They use NYK Logistics in Hanjin reefer units..(common way to get reefer boxes into los Angeles is to offer them to exporters of dry goods at a discount)
They import some product from Taiwan, (aurora pac rim services (buying agent) but the iron heads are from Japan only.
(worked in the container shipping business for 14 years and have access to public US customs reports )

I have had KZG evolution irons for a number of years and absolutely love them..been to the Callaway factory in Shenzen , China...you would be amazed if you saw the declared customs value on most China product...
The business model has turned fm OEM to constantly introducing new product, and player endorsement dollars means market share. So the dollars are sunk into marketing and player endorsement money as the quality distinctions are blended and fade away.
I'm sure that is not earth-shattering news to anyone on this website...that's why we are here...to find the true quality products and the interesting stories behind the companies...