In the Chinese martial arts, the weapons often have the same personality as the empty hand sets do.

The way in which the weapons are manipulated against opponents reflect the varying ways in which styles issue power, do footwork, utilize breath control, etc . . .

For example, a Bak Siu Lum (Northern Shaolin) or Choy Li Fut stylist would utilize a swinging application of the Chinese broadsword, which is a curved scimitar-like weapon.