Butterfly Swords: Are TFW and Cold Steel the Only Options?

Short answer: No, there's not.

Longer answer: Hanwei used to produce two different sets of butterfly swords, but they've been discontinued for years and I honestly can't remember reading anything good or bad about them, so I can't help but wonder if they were discontinued because they just weren't selling. Beyond that, there are companies that produce butterfly swords, but you'll find they're one of two varieties: cheap, non-functional pieces for wushu practice or expensive, semi-custom pieces that may or may not be functional. Unfortunately, there just doesn't seem to be enough call for functional butterfly swords for it to be practical for most companies to bother.

I have CS, they are choppers and lacking in the thrust though they will penetrate.  There was nothing else available except two very expensive models at the time.

Scroll down and you will find some sharp one here:

www.everythingwingchun.com/Wing-Chun-Butterfly-Swords-Hybrid-12-D2-Blade-p/bjd-gf01-d2-b.htm

Same company but you may find something different.

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

You may find this of interest. I didn’t see it when I was interested obtaining butter fly swords.

chinesemartialstudies.com/2013/01/28/a-social-and-visual-history-of-the-hudiedao-butterfly-sword-in-the-southern-chinese-martial-arts/

Food for thought: You might consider a pair of Windlass D-Guard Bowie Knives. The quillion does not come up high enough to reverse your grip by a simple spin. I think Windlass messed up here as the photos I’ve seen of the originals comes up higher. It is high enough to catch and trap a blade. It will stop a bo or the likes but not trap it. It is possible to modify the guard. Someone did this on YouTube. The price is a fraction of a pair of good Hudiedaos. I have one and I’ve considered a second. The reason I have not bought the second is that it cost me 2-3 times the vendors price by the time I import. KoA is offering them sharpened for $76.46. You should be able to get them from MRL using SBG’s discount but they are asking $99.95 for the sharpened version. You will have something just as effective as a Hudiedao but without the tradition if that matters.

www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=400928&name=D-Guard+Bowie+Knife

An afterthought: Make sure that you get swords of proper length. When I was looking there wasn’t much out there and the ones that I found were usually overpriced or to short measuring around 13½”-14”. My length is 15” is mine and needed to totally protect the forearm.

I have only one complaint about handling, more about that at the very end. To be objective, they handle about what they appear to be, choppers of the first order, a bit blade heavy for point work and I am aware of the weight.  My blade came wickedly sharp. In fact I had it sent to an old army buddy to keep until I returned to the States and human nature being what it is he couldn’t resist it and drew blood. He now has the upmost respect for swords. Mine is an old pair that I probably got some time prior to 2009 and there have been several superficial changes since that time, except for the scabbard, more about that later. The construction is typical CS solid, perhaps a trifle more sturdy than need be. There are several CS videos demonstrating these swords. I thought that I remembered a CS video of them halving a pig, not to be confused with the one they made mince meat of, and failed to find it. There are many YouTube videos to take a look if you haven’t done so. I have an early model with a black ito, to barrow a Japanese term, at one time they switched to brown now black again, and the earlier style scabbard. I find no fault with the swords but that scabbard was poorly designed. The entire works was suspended by one tab with one ring which wasn’t up to the job. I had hung the affair on the wall where it remained for a few months before the tab let go. It was poorly designed and I wrote CS about this. I was not after a free replacement but because of the design I wanted one at a reduced rate. CS wouldn’t agree and I refused to spend an estimated $180, my cost after importing, just to have a ring when I can make do without. It does piss me off though that they sold a faulty design and then wanted full price to correct it. They have now corrected the fault on production models with two tabs and two rings. That should work fine.


I should perhaps point out, in regards to handling that these are the only swords that I fear and rarely use and then only with less flashy showmanship then many show off with in the videos. The fault is mine and not CS. They are so manoeuvrable and short it is easy to cut myself when using both at the same time. I have a training pair that I enjoy but have second thoughts about trying to show off with those butterflies. With a katana, Chinese broad sword, or any of my other swords my hands and arms are behind the cutting edge, not necessarily so with the butterflies. About the time that I think that I am getting good and have things under control is when I’ll clip myself, or worse, and I don’t need the aggravation. I need to dedicate myself for a few years with a good instructor, something that isn’t available. It can be a wicked weapon.

KC and TFW have the same source so you won't go wrong with either one.

The only swords from Everything Wing Chun I could find that I like the style of (and were in my price range) were these: www.everythingwingchun.com/Wing-Chun-Butterfly-Swords-ML-S12-D2-HG-Blunt-p/-bjd-ewc-mid-s12-d2-hg-b-blk.htm

 Unfortunately, I checked the specs and they have a welded tang, which I don't want to risk; plus EWC's return policy kind of turns me off. I do want chopper style blades like the Cold Steel swords, so that puts TFW and Kris out of the running for me at least. The D-Guard Bowie has the same blade shape problem (though I do want to get one eventually just as a bowie).

 Anyway, thanks for all the help everyone. Is there any specific reason why the Cold Steel butterfly swords would be last on the list of butterfly swords to buy? I'm feeling like they are my only option at this point.

If you want a chopper I cannot think of any reason not to get a CS, they are durable and will certainly get the job done. They have been in production for many years and that says something in itself. Enjoy.

PS You realize the Wing Chun in your link are blunt and have a 12” blade? I feel that the 12” blade is definitely too short. When you reverse the grip the blade should come to or just pass your elbow.

The EWC do look better then the CS in terms of finish and construction. I'll probably go with Cold Steel in the end, but I need to think about this a little.

 Thanks everyone. You've been friendly and helpful as usual.

I can’t remember when I purchased my CS, but well before 2009 and the handles are holding up well. No problem whatsoever. However, I should point out that they stay packed away 99 44/100 % of the time.

Well, I received my Cold Steel Butterfly Swords this last week. I took them out today for some light cutting (milk jugs and bottles). I have mixed feelings about them to be honest. I love the weight. I love the blade geometry and how they move in my hands. I have heard that some think these blades are heavy...but I do not find them to be for myself. They fly with ease through forms and I like the guard on them. The grip is utilitarian and I like it a lot. It feels great in the hands!

Also, the scabbard is amazing! It is thick leather and holds both swords nice and tight. The straps are thick and this alone to me is worth a substantial portion of the swords.

The blades arrived to me reasonably sharp. Not as sharp as they should be, but reasonably sharp. So I thought I would give them a go on the jugs. However, even after what I consider to be lite cutting, there was a couple of dents on the blades. Maybe going through a 2 liter pop bottle is not lite cutting? Or 2 liter milk jugs? My TFW Dao slices through everything like it were butter and the only marks that are left behind are actual 'streaks' on the blade that are easily wiped away. These are a different beast for sure. And I do understand that except that in this instance these blades are intended as choppers. I did not expect there to be a rolled edge or nick on one of the blades. I'm sure that they will be easily sharpened out but it is not what I expected of a Cold Steel product.

Also, and this one is on me...I never noticed the peen until i got it. That is my fault for sure. But to me it is fugly. And I say it is my fault because you can see it if you look for it on the videos.

So, overall for me they are ok middle of the road butterfly swords. I would not purchase them again though. I would go with TFW or the SBG ones that are in the same price category or spend a couple hundred more and get some from EWC.

I just hope that the edge issue was my edge alignment issue in the strike and not the metal itself. I do not think so, but you never know. Anyways, thought I would post this for anyone else looking for these blades. Not a review per say. More of some of my own observations and fully my own opinion. I will let people know more as I use them more over the next few weeks. Again, totally mixed feelings about them for me. Not bad...but not great either.

Ryan