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Post by oos3thoo on Jul 9, 2008 3:09:12 GMT
I am 6'0" roughly. What would be a recommended length for a jian? I am thinking of switching to the "Gentleman's Sword".
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Post by Deleted on Jul 10, 2008 4:05:20 GMT
depends on your wrist strength and preference.
I am 5' 11" and use a jian with a 70 cm (27.56") blade. Then there's the consideration of weight and balance.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 10, 2008 7:34:34 GMT
I have always been told that the blade should be the length of your arm from your shoulder so that the blade becomes an extension of self. The jian is the single most difficult weapon to master in chinese martial arts.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 10, 2008 16:42:47 GMT
A good rule of thumb is about an inch to two inches over the tip of your shoulder if you're holding the blade straight along the back of your arm in a ready position (pinky, ring, and thumb around the guard, index and middle finger down the handle).
It's really a matter of preference. Your height, ability, and style of swordplay will make a big difference. I'm 6'1'' 195 pounds, and I prefer a Jian that's about 26-27 inches of blade for Xing-yi (more linear thrusts), but a blade about 29 inches for Taiji and Bagua (more dramatic sweeping of the blade).
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Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2008 3:19:13 GMT
In a vertical position, identical to hilary`s description, but the blade in front of your arm, our Taiji school prefers blades as long as to just reach the lower part of your ear.
But traditionally there is a very ancient measure of 69,5 cm (without handle) from Wen Wang of the early Zhou Dynasty (the width of an ancient door) or 74 cm blades for 2 handed blades.
Modern people, nowadays also in China, grow much taller, so you find now lengths of 97/98 cm, even 100 cm or 101,5 cm (incl. handle) for one handed swords, and of course, you always can have one custom forged.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 23, 2008 18:22:38 GMT
This might sound insane, but I'm 5'7", and I've always used jian with blades at least 30" in length. I don't know why, but 28" blades always seemed a little too short for me, even though it's the average traditional length. The longest one handed Jian I've ever used had a 32 inch blade, and I had no problems wielding it. The balance and weight were just fine, and there was no strain on my wrists after prolonged use. Also, strangely enough, when I held them in the traditional left hand position, the tips of the blades reached my lower ear. I guess I must have longer than normal arms.  I wonder if I should move to a shorter length, considering that people taller than I am seem to prefer those lengths rather than longer ones. I just happen to prefer then around 30". |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2008 0:50:56 GMT
This might sound insane, but I'm 5'7", and I've always used jian with blades at least 30" in length. I don't know why, but 28" blades always seemed a little too short for me, even though it's the average traditional length. The longest one handed Jian I've ever used had a 32 inch blade, and I had no problems wielding it. The balance and weight were just fine, and there was no strain on my wrists after prolonged use. Also, strangely enough, when I held them in the traditional left hand position, the tips of the blades reached my lower ear. I guess I must have longer than normal arms. I wonder if I should move to a shorter length, considering that people taller than I am seem to prefer those lengths rather than longer ones. I just happen to prefer then around 30". I don't think there's anything wrong with that. A lot of people come up with absolutes instead of rules of thumb on the lengths. Saying that a jian or dao should come up to your ear or so and so inches over your shoulder is a good idea, but doesn't factor all the variables like length of your arms or neck in proportion to each other. If it feels right to you, and your form doesn't suffer, it's probably a good deal. I would rather err in the direction of too long than too short, as you'll be working your wrist flexors more to compensate, and have experience with longer reach weapons. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2009 5:11:18 GMT
The measurement of a jian's blade to body is a myth from modern times. Antique jian averaged about 29" (blade always measured from base of blade not front of the guard). The so called Chang Jian (long jian) typically ranged from 26-32" in blade length...measured from base of blade or junction of guard/handle.
A real jian weighs a lot more than the current Lung Chuan and Hanwei practical sword and a longer blade generates a lot of torque on your wrist. Also consider that Duan Jian (24" blades) existed and in cities and crowded buildings a long jian would be very unwieldy.
Also not all jian blade profiles are the same so the 'feel' may be different even if they are the same length and/or weight.
Most modern replicas have blade lengths around 30". If you have tried a 29 or 28" sword they are much more lively and controllable. One of my favorite practice swords was a Guertin Blade modified to be an exact match of one of my antiques...blade length 28". Not too long for indoor work either.
Also consider if you practice enough you'll get used to anything. nothing wrong with the 30" CS/ Huanuo stuff, as they're available and relatively historically accurate.
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