Came across a fake JG5 worth doing a comparison on. Bought it on ebay, got a refund right away but noticed the seller didn't take down the listing and another seller from the same town listed another batch. Here are some side by side photos to compare, my original SMKW marked example has the darker scales and darker sheath. Biggest tell is the scales, they are thicker on the fake and all the grooves join at a peak versus the subtle flat top on the original. I don't know how the fake color will compare to the newer color offerings. The fake has a belly of 1.358 in. at the widest while the original shows 1.303, the fake is a 1/16 inch or so longer. My original weighs in at 6.3 oz, the fake at 6.6 ounce. The original sheath is 2.2 oz and the fake 1.3 oz. The fake sheath was close enough not to get my attention on the listing photo but first feel it was obviously lesser quality, the wife had both hands full but the second I touched the sheath to her arm she asked if it was plastic. The fake actually has a rattle in the sheath while you have to really twist to even get a squeak out of the original. With the scales being a touch bigger all around on the fake I imagine those that try to replace it with a Kydex offering will get a poor fit. I'll put the links here so anyone that wants can report them https://www.ebay.com/itm/2046378628...+F/fL9iaTTCxKl+jGt+zFOvg==|tkp:Bk9SR4aTmaasYw https://www.ebay.com/itm/375212575251
I reported both but ebay decided they were good. @5col , can you get anywhere with ebay on this? Edit; They are both down now, I will be watching for them there.........
They used a blurry picture for this one, hard to see enough detail but at the price it can't be right; https://www.ebay.com/itm/3555356152...D/O/5DDPWhPr469tzNeaxGiJ2Z|tkp:Bk9SR-LroffFYw
The plunge line on the blade is off too. The fake is straight up-down. The real deal has a subtle curve.
New ebay seller from china that needs reported. https://www.ebay.com/itm/1863506638...27CcJRx0lFNWC+87HDmM2oSw==|tkp:Bk9SR6b5rJ7KYw
Hey, even though you tagged me on this I didn't get a notification. Sorry I missed it, coz I'd love to zap these guys. You can also give me a shout by email, which I will definitely get: andy at 5col dot net.
Pretty sure this is a fake as well; https://www.ebay.com/itm/395788897377 Edit: The seller was honest and ended the listing after getting an explanation.
Pretty sure this one is a fake, of course ebay always disagrees with me. Waiting to hear from the seller, doubt they know if it is a bad one. https://www.ebay.com/itm/365199952270