Hello all,

I was recently trying to classify the Chinese Gim / Jian / Straight Sword and so started to wonder what European sword it was probably most like.

I think I am probably more interested in application or intended use and tactics rather than shape or form, however, I imagine these are probably more interrelated than not. After all form has a tendency to follow function.

Some of my initial thoughts are as follows:

I think the gim was probably not like the rapier as this seems to have been a strictly thrusting sword (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapier). the Rapier also seems to be a bit lighter and more maneuverable if less versatile.

After a little further research I am leaning towards the gim being most like the European Side Swords (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Side-sword).

In any case I was interested in throwing this out there and seeing what everyone's thoughts were.