Looking for a Good Rigid S. Sword

[kristcaldwell]

hey guys,

I'm looking for a straight sword that can be used for traditional practice. So far, I've been quite frustrated with the quality of most swords - particularly relating to the quality of the handle, hand guard, tang, etc.
I've noticed that the competition wushu swords are much higher quality in this regard (they seem to have more than just a rusty screw-nut holding the whole thing together), but I'm not satisfied with how floppy the blade is.
I've yet to handle the wushu competition taiji straight sword, and am wondering if anyone can give a product review. The handle region seems to be the quality I'm looking for - but i'd like to know if the blade is floppy or rigid.

thanks (first time posting here in years),
krist

[David Jamieson]

Check out the han wei products.

han wei has a good rep for their forge.

http://www.martialartsmart.com/weapons-dragon-well-forge.html

[Lucas]

ive been practicing with the adam hsu han wei model (this is not combat steel, but stainless steel so it is completely rigid, no flex like a real sword, however this does help for training as you dont need the flexabilty but the design lets you know when you cut properly), and i enjoy it. my friend just got the han wei demascus straight sword....so sexy i want to take it from him but hes a better swordsman lol

[kristcaldwell]

true...but i'm afraid they're a bit short. being around 5'11, i believe i use a size 7 competition sword.

[Lucas]

are you looking specifically for a wushu competition sword or just a nice straight sword that you could also use in competition?

Han Wei Damascus measurments
Blade: 28 1/4"
Handle: 6 1/2"
Overall: 37 1/4"
Weight: 1 Lb 11 Oz
Point of balance: 5.16"
Width at guard: 1.07"
Width at tip: .69"
Thickness at guard: .37"
Thickness at tip: .17"

[GLW]

check your facebook email...

[kristcaldwell]

i'm looking for a good straight sword for traditional kung-fu. but i would prefer one with the correct length as well.

GLW: thanks man, i appreciate it, and will check out your suggestion...i can't respond to facebook messages from the office (but the kung-fu forum isn't blocked!).

[GeneChing]

Traditional jian covers a wide range as traditional kung fu is very diverse. Do you want something really heavy or hand-and-a-half?

My standard rec for a trad jian is our Sharpened Single Taichi Sword (http://www.martialartsmart.com/45-50kk32.html). It's a nice medium weight piece.

A lot of people like Hanwei's Adam Hsu Jian (http://www.martialartsmart.com/45-2269b.html). I find it a little light and short for me and if memory serves, we are about the same height.

Right now, I'm fond of our Emperor's Sword (http://www.martialartsmart.com/45-53.html). It's a hand-and-a-half, and the fittings lean towards the cheesey side, but I like the blade. If you're using it one-handed, blades are easy enough to trim, but the handle would take some more serious modification.

[Lucas]

i hate to refer out, if you cant find what you need at martialartsmart.com

consider dragon well, they offer ranges of sizes.

here is a standard link to a company that sells diff sizes of the dragon well competition sword.

http://www.seattlewushucenter.org/apps/webstore/products/show/327177

[GeneChing]

We carry a selection of Dragon Well weapons (http://www.martialartsmart.com/weapons-dragon-well-forge.html). We import them directly from Longquan. The Emperor's Sword and the Taichi Sword above are both from Dragon Well.

[kristcaldwell]

thanks gene...nice to be here as well (and yes, we are about the same height).

i suppose i do need to clarify what i'm looking for: basically something with the shape and feel of the competition wushu sword, but with a rigid blade (i have the compeition jian - and that d@mn floppy blade drives me up the walls).

also of particular importance to me is a smooth hand-guard that i can use the "tiger's mouth" grip* when handling (this is why the competition jian appealed to me). that being said, the adam hsu blade seems to have the reverse of what i'm looking for in regards to hand guard shape.

*this is a grip in which the thumb and first-finger wrap around the hand guard while the remaining four fingers wrap around the handle.

[Lucas]

i think his major issue though is that he is looking specifically for a size 7 competition straight sword. i couldnt tell if martialartmart has that or not. my navigation skills are weak.

[Lucas]

also of particular importance to me is a smooth hand-guard that i can use the "tiger's mouth" grip* when handling (this is why the competition jian appealed to me). that being said, the adam hsu blade seems to have the reverse of what i'm looking for in regards to hand guard shape.



my understanding with the hsu guard is that its design,(the entire sword) is for training purposes. the guard is designed in a fashion to help beginners avoid certain mistakes. essentially the guard helps remind new practitioners when they are performing certain things incorrectly. or so ive been told...

[kristcaldwell]

i do know that martialartsmart carries a size seven sword...however, my problem with that sword is that it has a floppy blade. therefore, i am looking for something similar in design and size but without the floppiness.

lucas: sorry if i come off as unappreciative regarding the suggestion of the adam hsu sword..i do appreciate the advice.

[Lucas]

no need to appologize, i understand completely. cant stand the floppy spring steel myself either.

the hsu sword wouldnt fit your needs at all.

[GeneChing]

We ran an article by Adam Hsu himself in our 2005 January/February: The Sword Collector's Special (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=567) - A Straight Talk about Straight Sword. The Adam Hsu jian was historic - it was the first time that a master designed and name-branded a sword so. In the article, Master Hsu described his reasoning behind designing the guard that way.

[Lucas]

I'd like to read that, is there a way to read that article/get that issue?

[Lucas]

actually wait....i might have that issue in a box somewhere...is that the sword issue with the sword that has the free moving jade sphere in the hilt?

[uki]

i have a hanwei qi jian... got it on sale for 400 bucks from 600... forged from one billet of steel with a rayskin handle - pretty practical for most anything... form, show, or combat. :)

[taai gihk yahn]

i have a hanwei qi jian... got it on sale for 400 bucks from 600... forged from one billet of steel with a rayskin handle - pretty practical for most anything... form, show, or combat. :)

I always thought that it was a nice looking piece - I take it that you recommend it?

[RenDaHai]

Hey;

You have to be a little careful when making a deision, and look at the sword Guard.

Speaking from experiance;

There are many different styles of using the jian, but often within a style there are different GRIPs of the sword. Depending on your style Some of the grips involve actually holding onto the guard area as well and not just the handle. Not sure what style you use, but to keep your options open you should go for something with a very comfortable guard, not too fancy. Typically something that tapers towards guard, and the guard can be held also. I.e a guard that curves away from the handle. Also you want to make sure it looks smooth, because even if you hold it on the handle, you hold it right by the guard, and you don't want anything thats going to be uncomfortable. Lots and lots of swords make a mistake here. Its less of a problem if your going slow, but once you go fast you will cut your hands to pices on a rough guard.

You also want to make sure you get something to wrap the handle with (like a tennis racket tape). Looks bad, but will improve performance.

ANd yea like you already said, don't buy a competition wushu blade. If someone with power uses one it will tear after the first performance. They don't last long at all. Plus if you like to swing it around in the house you will inevitably hit it against something and that will also break the blade. Even if you use it with low power they bend after the first few uses.

[unyma]

I have this one and I like the weight amd balance of it. It's not flexible.

http://www.wle.com/products/WGL170.html

[uki]

I always thought that it was a nice looking piece - I take it that you recommend it?i like it... i used a few cheap POS swords, then one day i couldn't take it anymore and it so happened i found them on sale for 1/3 off the price... i also love the fact that the entire sword is just one piece of steel with a rayskin wrapped handle - rayskin has amazing feel and grip to it. yes... i would recommend this piece. :)

ahhhhh... it's sooo beautiful (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.wle.com/media/SH2295.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.wle.com/products/Sh2295.html&usg=__s5CawChFRJF5-ajKW7uy01bvTJk=&h=550&w=300&sz=36&hl=en&start=4&sig2=jL1Do5Xnoy89wfy-uOJ1SQ&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=FbGvDr5u_hH7wM:&tbnh=133&tbnw=73&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dqi%2Bjian%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN %26rlz%3D1T4ADBR_enUS205US269%26tbs%3Disch:1&ei=bQDQS7nMOMH6lwfJz8iADQ)!!!