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Post by ambulocetus on Apr 4, 2019 0:11:34 GMT
Hi folks, I just started a new Tai Chi class and one of the main teachers from China is coming in the fall to teach the sword form. Most of my previous training was in Japanese styles, so I don't have a Chinese sword. The last seminar I went to was pretty crowded, so I'm thinking I better not take a sharp just in case. Does somebody make the Jian equivalent of an Iaito or must I get one of those flippy floppy Wushu swords?
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Post by Timo Nieminen on Apr 4, 2019 1:21:51 GMT
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Post by pvsampson on Apr 4, 2019 1:32:33 GMT
The instructor won't be too worried about the sword you are using,more about your technique.Sometimes I have forgotten that my Sifu wanted to run through the forms,and have left my sword at home so I literally have used a kali stick.
Re the question about what type to purchase,if you wish to use only for forms then a cheap stainless or "floppy" will do,some of them actually look ok. If you want an actual functional blade,you can always put a bit of sticky tape over the edges for practise to prevent any mishaps.
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Post by ambulocetus on Apr 4, 2019 2:04:05 GMT
Thanks, I'm looking hard at that Scott Rodell sparring Jian. I wish I had enough money to get the blunt and the matching sharp.
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Post by kk on Apr 11, 2019 5:28:46 GMT
You might want to look into the Flying Phoenix
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Post by Timo Nieminen on Apr 11, 2019 6:40:26 GMT
How are these balanced? Specifically, where is the forward pivot point? This is important for good handling of a late Imperial (i.e., Ming/Qing) jian.
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Post by kk on Apr 11, 2019 8:01:41 GMT
You can see that from SwordSage review of Flying Phoenix on Youtube.
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Post by Timo Nieminen on Apr 11, 2019 9:39:16 GMT
Where? At what time in the video? I find it not.
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Post by pvsampson on Apr 11, 2019 10:03:29 GMT
Where? At what time in the video? I find it not. Around 14:45 in the unboxing video Timo.He balances the sword on the scabbard to find the balance, "About six"...very precise and technical measurement and technique.  |
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Post by Timo Nieminen on Apr 11, 2019 10:10:48 GMT
That's the point of balance, not the pivot point.
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Post by pvsampson on Apr 11, 2019 10:44:33 GMT
That's the point of balance, not the pivot point. My mistake. |
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pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
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Post by pgandy on Apr 11, 2019 13:02:00 GMT
For the sword you might want to check out Wing Lam. It’s been years since I’ve dealt with the company. I think Wing Lam has died since and the company is run by someone else, but not sure. I had could luck with the company at the time but have not ordered swords from them. wle.com/ |
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Post by kk on Apr 11, 2019 14:38:38 GMT
I suggest that if interest to know the pivot point, leave Swordsage a comment on his video, since he got the sword and will be able to help find the pivot point.
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Post by kk on Apr 17, 2019 4:44:13 GMT
The fourth one might be suitable for your Tai Chi Class needs.
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Post by kk on May 7, 2019 10:38:10 GMT
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Post by Timo Nieminen on May 13, 2019 13:04:39 GMT
This, and the other Han jian links from them that you've posted, is interesting, but suggests that Han jian are balanced quite differently from Ming/Qing jian, and would not be a good choice for Taiji.
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Post by kk on May 14, 2019 1:47:31 GMT
We at Peter Kwok Kung Fu academy in New Jersey use Flying Phoenix for our classes (unsharpen version) and also for 2 person Wudang set. We find it easy to use. It is because the Han Jian
is so much lighter than the Ming Qing Jian, so even if the POB is up front, it is still very easy to handle. We also have 4 Han Wei sparring Jian that have the same weight and balance as the Han Wan Cutting Jian. At 2 pound, we find it a lot more heavy and very tiring to practice with. So we use mostly Han Jian now and use the Han Wei for backup when we have a big class.
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Post by Timo Nieminen on May 15, 2019 1:33:15 GMT
We also have 4 Han Wei sparring Jian that have the same weight and balance as the Han Wan Cutting Jian. At 2 pound, we find it a lot more heavy and very tiring to practice with. That reinforces my point. Taiji jian is a martial art for the Ming/Qing jian. If practicing with a different kind of sword (jian or otherwise) doesn't prepare you for using a Ming/Qing jian - as your "lot more heavy and very tiring" implies - then you're not really learning Taiji jian properly. In particular, a 2lb jian is not exceptionally heavy (full-size fighting jian can exceed 1kg). But it is heavy enough to start demanding proper body mechanics for (non-tiring) power generation. A light weapon might make for easier practice, but it doesn't always make for meaningful practice. (The Hanwei cutting jian is very nicely balanced - it handles like a well-balanced antique fighting jian. 'Tis a superb training sword for Taiji jian.) |
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Post by zabazagobo on May 15, 2019 2:44:50 GMT
We also have 4 Han Wei sparring Jian that have the same weight and balance as the Han Wan Cutting Jian. At 2 pound, we find it a lot more heavy and very tiring to practice with. That reinforces my point. Taiji jian is a martial art for the Ming/Qing jian. If practicing with a different kind of sword (jian or otherwise) doesn't prepare you for using a Ming/Qing jian - as your "lot more heavy and very tiring" implies - then you're not really learning Taiji jian properly. In particular, a 2lb jian is not exceptionally heavy (full-size fighting jian can exceed 1kg). But it is heavy enough to start demanding proper body mechanics for (non-tiring) power generation. A light weapon might make for easier practice, but it doesn't always make for meaningful practice. (The Hanwei cutting jian is very nicely balanced - it handles like a well-balanced antique fighting jian. 'Tis a superb training sword for Taiji jian.) Precisely my view. 2 lb is super light for a functional weapon by most standards. If it feels sluggish, the body mechanics are off.
Disclaimer: I'm an amateur (laughably so) of Chinese swordsmanship. Big fan of the related health practices yet woefully inexperienced with martial applications compared to how much I've studied other types of swordplay. That being said, the more you train with any sword the lighter it feels, and a 2 lb 3 oz sword glides in the hand.
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Post by kk on May 16, 2019 4:43:58 GMT
I respectfully disagree. You might want to see what Crown Prince of Wei, Cho Pei, an accomplished swordsman, and who had command to the best swords smith in his domain. And what is the weight of the Jian and Dao he commissioned. lkchensword.com/weight-of-han-jian |
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