Looking for a reputable dealer of knives in the UK; help please!

[Paddington]

As per topic title I am desperate to find a reputable dealer of wing chun weaponry in the UK. Please don't say 'Pagoda'; I've been there and have the t-shirt (not their actual one).

I have done many internet searches but it is always a leap of faith when buying over the interwebs. So, I need a hand sourcing some decent knives please!

[LoneTiger108]

Are you sure you couldn't find what you were looking for? Even with a google search there are quite a few options but it will depend on what you want from your weaponry... Ebay always has some too

http://www.google.co.uk/webhp?rlz=1W1SNYW&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8#q=wing%20chun%20knives%20for%20sale%20uk

In all seriousness (if that is at all possible here!) why do you need to even 'look'? Surely whoever taught you the weaponry will also have their contact and supplier?

All a bit weird... but I remember someone who I knew ask the same question but it was clear he hadn't been taught at all so it made me question the whole ethos behind the more modern students today and how they view our weaponry!?

I was given mine by my Sifu! Of course I would love to get a more personal set of blades but I have yet to be able to get them custom made for less than £300, so if you have any joy PM ME TOO ;)

[BPWT]

Here they are. Built to YM WSL PB specs. Small quillon removes binding issues seen in larger versions. If you bind up you are dead, if you open your wrists to avoid this you can cut yourself at speed.

Interesting looking knives. I haven't been taught them, so don't have any. But I always thought the handle/grip was in line with the top of the blade, not in its center.

[BPWT]

Are you a Leung Ting guy? If so, I think that lineage has the knives like you describe. There are some WC families out there that seem to have their own version(s)...choppers, stabbers, hybrids, front-weighted, back-weighted, etc. The knives in the picture posted look like mine/my WC family. I hadn't seen this design in any other family before.

I'm sure you're correct. :) In most pics I see of the knives they have the handle position I described... I'd always assumed that was design everyone used. Does anyone know the reason for the different designs?

(And yes, I study LTWT)

[Paddington]

If you use your knives for sparring, you will have different requirements to those who play with their knives in the air.

Quite right. I will be sparring with them, primarily against archaeologists and medieval weapon specialists.

Lonetiger108, I am flattered that you are interested in my background given the number of questions you put to me in your post! To be succinct with you, I have found weapons to be like a car; ideally I want a test drive but when I can't get that, I go by word of mouth from people I respect.

Incidentally I acrimoniously left the Sifu I started with (all the way back to 1999-2000/1) in April. He received his knives as a gift from Ip Chun (VTAA more generally) as did the Sifus he created last year. All others were pretty much left to their own devices to find knives (not a good scenario). I could comment on the form taught there but I won't ;)

[Graham H]

I think the only thing Ip Chun knows about what to do with the knives is give them away as gifts! lol

[LoneTiger108]

Quite right. I will be sparring with them, primarily against archaeologists and medieval weapon specialists.

??? Are you a member of a film stunt team or something? I have seen a few of them build and develop in the UK over the years. Interesting reasons for wanting our blades...


Incidentally I acrimoniously left the Sifu I started with (all the way back to 1999-2000/1) in April. He received his knives as a gift from Ip Chun (VTAA more generally) as did the Sifus he created last year. All others were pretty much left to their own devices to find knives (not a good scenario). I could comment on the form taught there but I won't ;)

Wing Chun knife fighting is not to be confused with playing with your blades in a form, or what you may see in the movies, especially when such a form has still to grow out of it's beginner stage.

I can guess who you are referring to here so will also refrain from comment. The knives should not be used as a gift of Sifu-ship IMHO.

But if you feel you are ready for the blades, then I can only recommend you find another skilled Sifu who can help guide you because fme they are not to be messed around with or picked up for the sake of it. Weaponry in Wing Chun is a very serious business and needs time and a skilled group to develop.

Let me know how you go...

[KPM]

IMHO, these are the best knives on the market that I have seen. Its in the US, but I'll bet Aaron would ship to the UK. Note that there is a plastic version to use for hard contact and sparring as well. I bought a pair recently just out of curiosity. They are well-done and seem very sturdy. I think they are a better option as a cheap source for a good training knife rather than the dull chromed ones that people often get.

http://www.everythingwingchun.com/wing-chun-butterfly-swords-s/35.htm

[Paddington]

??? Are you a member of a film stunt team or something? I have seen a few of them build and develop in the UK over the years. Interesting reasons for wanting our blades...



Wing Chun knife fighting is not to be confused with playing with your blades in a form, or what you may see in the movies, especially when such a form has still to grow out of it's beginner stage.

I can guess who you are referring to here so will also refrain from comment. The knives should not be used as a gift of Sifu-ship IMHO.

But if you feel you are ready for the blades, then I can only recommend you find another skilled Sifu who can help guide you because fme they are not to be messed around with or picked up for the sake of it. Weaponry in Wing Chun is a very serious business and needs time and a skilled group to develop.

Let me know how you go...

No, I am not a member of a film or stunt company and my first name is not Tim (great arms to roll with, oh how I miss them so!)! Insider jokes aside, I've been training the knives for two years now. As I have previously mentioned the first wing chun form I ever learnt was the pole form.

Just a point of note on 'historically accurate reenactment'; don't confuse this with the part timers who hook up in a field every once in a while. I am talking about those who have made careers in academia reconstructing historical weapon usage and training practices. I am training my knives in this context and as a weapon that is to be used practically. Others also know, more directly, my circumstances and where I live and this is another reason why I train with practicality in mind.

[k gledhill]

No, I am not a member of a film or stunt company and my first name is not Tim (great arms to roll with, oh how I miss them so!)! Insider jokes aside, I've been training the knives for two years now. As I have previously mentioned the first wing chun form I ever learnt was the pole form.

Just a point of note on 'historically accurate reenactment'; don't confuse this with the part timers who hook up in a field every once in a while. I am talking about those who have made careers in academia reconstructing historical weapon usage and training practices. I am training my knives in this context and as a weapon that is to be used practically. Others also know, more directly, my circumstances and where I live and this is another reason why I train with practicality in mind.

Sent info , I also bought cold steel version. ; )

[wingchunIan]

Interesting looking knives. I haven't been taught them, so don't have any. But I always thought the handle/grip was in line with the top of the blade, not in its center.

Where is the post from KG that you quote? I'm intrigued to see the knives.

[k gledhill]

I don't think they would last long for sparring. That curly ear thingy would be the first victim. :)

It's called a "quillon" mate. ; )

[k gledhill]

Well it wouldnt take a quillion hits mate :) Just a couple of clangs and that thing is gone! :D

I had a pair of the cast metal version with huge quillons, they kept binding up so I just sawed them down. I also have a few pairs of pb working version ; )

[BPWT]

Where is the post from KG that you quote? I'm intrigued to see the knives.

It disappeared - don't know why. Maybe Kevin deleted it.

[k gledhill]

It disappeared - don't know why. Maybe Kevin deleted it.

It was for paddington. Btw pb explains knives day one not year ?? Keep paying those euros to see past the next secret door ; )

[BPWT]

It was for paddington. Btw pb explains knives day one not year ?? Keep paying those euros to see past the next secret door ; )

From Day 1? You mean like Yip Man did... oh, wait... :rolleyes:

By the by, I don't pay anything in Euro.

[Paddington]

Come on guys play nice!

[k gledhill]

From Day 1? You mean like Yip Man did... oh, wait... :rolleyes:

By the by, I don't pay anything in Euro.

Whatever dude. You think you can argue about knives but you haven't learned them for how many years ?
Keep drinking the macmilkshake. ; )

[k gledhill]

Come on guys play nice!

Your pm is full

[wingchunIan]

I had a pair of the cast metal version with huge quillons, they kept binding up so I just sawed them down
That's kind of the point for them being there

[k gledhill]

That's kind of the point for them being there

They tangled up with each other. Please don't tell me you use them to block.

[BPWT]

Whatever dude. You think you can argue about knives but you haven't learned them for how many years ?
Keep drinking the macmilkshake. ; )

Did YM teach WSL the knives from day one?

If you learned them early, okay... you're a superstar :rolleyes: Though if you felt the need to modify their tried and tested design by sawing bits of them off...

... I guess PB knows something about their use that Yip Man didn't :eek:

[BPWT]

They tangled up with each other.

Maybe you're using them the wrong way.

[k gledhill]

Did YM teach WSL the knives from day one?

If you learned them early, okay... you're a superstar :rolleyes: Though if you felt the need to modify their tried and tested design by sawing bits of them off...

... I guess PB knows something about their use that Yip Man didn't :eek:

You're tedious. Whatever's where made for this.

[BPWT]

And you're digging a nice deep hole with your weird logic, Kevin.

What next... saw off a few feet from your pole? :D

[k gledhill]

And you're digging a nice deep hole with your weird logic, Kevin.

What next... saw off a few feet from your pole? :D

Like I said you will never know why, you just follow like a lemming.

[BPWT]

It is true - I hope to never learn a method of using weapons that leads me to tangle up my own knives.

I'm slightly ashamed to say I watched World War Z the other night - your post reminds me of it... the scene where the virologist trips over and shoots himself in the head with his own gun.

You bring The Science of "In-Fighting" to a whole new level! :D

[k gledhill]

It is true - I hope to never learn a method of using weapons that leads me to tangle up my own knives.

I'm slightly ashamed to say I watched World War Z the other night - your post reminds me of it... the scene where the virologist trips over and shoots himself in the head with his own gun.

You bring The Science of "In-Fighting" to a whole new level! :D

Whatever floats your boat master bator. Bows out ; )

[Paddington]

Your pm is full

Should be sorted now.

[Paddington]

Maybe you're using them the wrong way.

I can only speak about my own experiences. There is a huge disparity between what I have found to work and the forms I have been exposed to and I don't mean just one lineage here. Having been fortunate enough to spar with people proficient in European weaponry, in my opinion there are very, very few in the world that know how to use the wing chun knives properly, let alone just in the UK. All I am left with is an inquisitive mind, dedication and the tenacity to go out there and test myself.

This thread 'aint the place to pick fights BPWT. People were just trying to be helpful, save your war for another thread.