[Tatsukage]

I've recently aquired a "chinese war sword". Sorry, but I'm not familiar with the formal name. Anywho, I was wondering if there is a "proper" way to use this weapon. I thought it might be the same as the classic chinese broadsword, but the balance is different, since it seems to be a hand-and-a-half kind of sword. The blade seems too short to use two handed though. Thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions?

[Haas]

are you talking about the Gin ?

[samurai6string]

Not a gin, one of these:

[Tatsukage]

http://www.kultofathena.com/images/SW647.jpg

Mine's not exactly llike this, but you'll get the idea.

[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!

[Stazzy]

I'm not sure if I agree with you that a straight sword beats a broad sword. I think they're just different means of getting to the same place. A straight sword will strike you in a pressure point and disable your arm from moving. A broad sword will chop the arm off. If I were going to a melee war where I'd be fighting many opponents at once, I'd probably lean toward the halberd because I love the reach. It's too bad my current school doesn't teach it.

[zefff]

Put on headguard and gauntlets then find out by sparring with wooden weapons. Its great fun!

Of course a weapon is powered by the exponent and I cant really use them at all as intended but I find straight sword to be harder to defend against when sparring with people who can use them. I would use it like a kriss myself.

When you mention the halberd do you mean you would prefer it over the spear? Would you not agree the spear can pierce the opponent before he can swing the halberd and the halberd cannot thrust as well as the spear?

For 'melee war' I would probably stick to long and short sword with spear myself.

[WushuPadawan001]

Double-sided spear all the way for me.

Is the sword in the pictures a bagua dao (sp)?

[Stazzy]

Well I was thinking that while the spear can pierce one opponent's armor, a halberd can slice the necks of five in one giant sweep. It all depends on positioning and skill level though. I'm sure either weapon could be just as effective if you find the right person to wield it. It could also be just a personal preference of mine.

[Tatsukage]

So, before it gets too off topic, the only real way is watching someone else, and trial and error?