[zefff]

Find a teacher. Exercise with it, drill with it, forms and spar with it. If you havent trained with weapons before, or havent for a while I would forget it and begin with a more orthadox weapon - because you will need strong and flexible hands, wrists and forearm.

Develop conditioning and timing with a lighter weapon that wont tax your body so much first.

Thats what I think anyway. There are a lot of people on here who train various weapons from different arts.

[bamboo]

You need a teacher to teach you a weapon. Trial and error with a weapon could mean losing an ear, hand, etc.

[Tatsukage]

Since there are no teachers around here for the sword I have, do you think that I could get the same, or at least close to, from learning the "typical" chinese broadsword? Later on maybe meld with kenjutsu or kendo?

[zefff]

No. Didnt you read my post?

[bamboo]

Its simply not the same thing. Perhaps this path would teach you some things and thier is always a chance you could learn something. What that something is is up for debate, but what it is not is learning how to use the weapon in question in the "proper" way.

"kenjutsu" is a generic term for any distinct school of japanese sword use, there is no "half assing" a school of kenjutsu. Kendo is a sport derived from the need to practice the techniques of the japanese sword outside of wartime as well as a way to instill national pride in japanese school children. A poorly trained kendoka will mop the floor with the vast majority of self taught practitioners.

My suggestion to you for learning these and other weapons without an experienced teacher- don't bother unless you enjoy the illusion. Wait till something comes up or until your situation allows you to move. If your truely serious, then self teaching is a grave injustice to yourself as when you finely do get a real teacher, you will spend countless days, months, years unlearning all the terrible habits you taught yourself. And you will teach yourself some terrible habits.

-bamboo

[oxidee]

I am chinese.I have some idea about the blade.
The blade was invented during the Song Dynasty in china.
It's thin and broad,not heavy(<60 oz.).Two-hand useing for faster and harder choping only.
At first,it's used to destroy thick metal armours.
And when thick armours were behind the times,the blade is mostly used to destroy narrow swords,especially kanata,and execute criminal.
It's a perfect killing tool.
The only disadvantage is not easy to tote.

[bamboo]

Welcome to FA.COM.

I am chineseI have some idea about the blade

I am canadian, i know nothing of backbacon, senate reform, telephone technology, labatts blue or igloos.

"Race" does not equal knowledge, only studying does that.

Thank you for the sword information. Did you formally study or is this from personal resources?

-bamboo

[Bloodybirds]

Some comments about the swords Chinese style: first, the broadsword and the gin are for two entirely different purposes. From an historical basis, besides the easy id with the gin in tai chi and the broadsword in kung fu, more specifically the gin was originally a weapon for either the aristocracy of the emperor's guard or as part of the Wudang training to combat the Shaolin sword. As far as usage, the double edge of the gin is for the more subtle cutting of the wrist, neck, and other areas while moving subtlely around one's opponent in a soft type manner until striking. The Chinese broadsword was used more in actual multi opponent or war battles because one side is used for cutting as the other side is used for parrying or blocking simultaneously. As far as gin vs. broadsword, I have found it again depends upon the practitioner. I have found gin training much harder than broadsword personally because it is very hard to keep the point focused and still while moving the rest of the blade. And the cutting is much more small circle and intricate. On the other hand, the broadsword's blocking, parrying, and cutting are wonderful while both afford excellent stabbing opportunities. Old Chinese tradition: 100 days to learn the staff, 1000 days to learn the saber, 10,000 days to learn the spear.....not sure the appropriate analagous timing for the gin. Note: as I stated before, my younger brother Wushu should take advantage of John Cheng's mastery of spear and broadsword...some of the best in the world...and my younger brother Stazz would enjoy the same spear and broadsword taught by Jeff Hughes in Austin, though not as proficient as John is with the weapons.

As far as the war sword, it is an intermediary weapon between the Kwon dao, or horse cutting sword famous by General Kwan, and the Darn Dao, or broadsword. It is usually wielded by one hand in front of the other on the end piece, and is moved in both a circular (much bigger and slower circles than the darn dao during multiple cutting) and linear cut down motion at an angle to cut through armor or other weaponry. Though not a traditional 18-weapon family set, it is still very effective as armor piercing or in modern day through jackets etc. This weapon is usually reserved for higher ranked students who understand the waist, the jing, and other important long term principles of Chinese weaponry. There are very few teachers of it. In Texas, Master Kwong Ming Lee (Johnny Lee) of Mijong Lawn Horn, Ba Gua, and Wu Style fame is very proficient with this weapon, it is also a part of Ba Gua weapons training as part of "walking the eight" pattern.

Hope this helps. As far as who trains with it, if you will give me your location, I can help you with that.

[NathanRahl]

Originally Posted by zefff

My Wing Chun teacher can use it. His is much bigger, longer handle and broader blade. It really is a scarey weapon that could chop you in half at the waist.

I havent studied it at all but the demo's Ive seen him give of it include sword like antics combined with use of the weapon almost as if it were a halberd. Like I say though Ive never taken notice because the spear is a stronger weapon than halberd and straight sword beats the broad sword IMHO so it is a weaker weapon that is disadvantaged against others.

But if you dont care for sparring then all that doesnt really matter!

There are only weaker fighters, not weaker weapons.

[zefff]

You are wrong IMHO but please tell me how you see yourself being correct.

Why are weapons developed in the first place and why do designs and construction methods change over time hmm?

Also lets imagine you are in one boat and I'm in another at sea, you have a sword, spear and long bow and I have a 300mm cannon with sights that can sppot you on the horizon - if you are the stronger fighter how will you defeat me?

All through history stronger fighters have lost to weaker enemies who happen to have superior technology and/or strategy. Even a primitive weapon like a sword can involve technology in its design as Im sure you are aware.