Really interesting stuff and I can see you've put a lot of effort into the research and testing of techniques in manuals and historical records. Thanks for such an educational video! Also like how you went into the struggles of understanding the details of manuals. I study a Korean ancient form called jedok geom and many times wished I could just meet the swordsmen of the time for clarification. In my dabbling of ssangsudo (in Chinese the dandao) I too came to the same conclusion of the stance and handwork regarding downwards cuts to avoid tip damage so I guess I'm on the right path. Thanks again!
I think, just like with this man, let your intuition and body connection show you. Whatever the technique is, it has to really work and be efficient. If you follow that, you will probably fill in the gaps with surprising accuracy, even if you need to jump to conclusions. But I understand your respect for the art likely motivates you to be true to the originals whenever possible. From what I understand, any master makes the technique his own in time though.
Interesting video. I have the same sword, and found I was having similar issues with control you mentioned in the beginning. One thing that ended up helping me was re-wrapping the grip. The slicker cord, with the risers making thr grip as thick as it did made it uncomfortable. I also honed mine, though I dont feel that was really necessary. My experience with Chinese swords is very limited and use my own as more of a longsword. But after doing the grip again I consistently got better results in my cutting. Still cant draw the thing from the hip comfortably. This is a long blade. Lol. I do feel with the long grip this particular sword does some of it's best work with snapping cuts. Combined with forward/backward movement provided by footwork it cuts very well. The larger sweeping cuts need to have power provided with movement of the core muscles. Also moving the hands closer and further apart during different style cuts does me a lot of good as well with keeping the tip out of the dirt. Just my thoughts, and a great video on your part. Just earned another subscriber. 🙂 also if you dont mind where did you get your robes?
@@ColossalSwordFormAndTechnique halfswording can be done without a ricasso, see Skallagrim's channel about this, it is an older video but he demonstrated halfswording with an Albion Caithness
@@ColossalSwordFormAndTechnique You can crasp sharp blade without risking your hand if you clamp tight enough. Blunt ricasso wouldnt even be that useful in many half sword technigues since they are often done further up the blade to achieve more control. Or even both hands on top portions of the blade like murderstroke
I love your videos man, your reviews were part of the reason I pulled the trigger on another LK Chen sword. Quick question, I'm so curious, where did you get your Han martial outfit in this video? I'd love to get one as well
Great discussion. I don't think the sword was used in the way LK described, where the user grips the handle with two hands close to each other. There is no surviving treatise or even paintings to suggest this AT ALL, and LK made the statement of its grip based on pure speculations. I like his swords, but the way he basically assert how massive two-handed swords were used is counter-intuitive to put it kindly. The advantage of two-handed swords with such long grips if you maximize the leverage the length of the grip can provide, so in cuts, it combines with the length of the blade to generate incredible tip speed to compensate the lack of mass in the blade. The result is very fast cuts yet with respectable cleaving power. It's capable of sever a leg of a horse, or a limb of an opponent in a quick swing, while recover to be in a defensive stance effortlessly, because of the light blade wouldn't be carried off by inertia. It was NEVER (never say "never", but I'm willing to bet on this one) used to do light tapping. Yes, you can morph cuts into thrusts, but you also need to put body weight into it, as well as certain commitment in the swing, otherwise the light-weight blade will never be able to do its job in parry, which is the purpose of incorporate a thrust into a cut. Also, when LK talks about using the sword like a spear, yes, there are occasions you would want to use a two-handed sword like that, but gluing both of your hands together is just not conducive to the spear kind of usage. When was the last time you hold a spear with your two hands sticking to each other?
100%. I'm just a weeb and have no experience but I have common sense and intuition. I know that nothing on a weapon is wasted when life and death is on the line. You don't have a 16" handle to use half of it because you want the extra weight at the end for balance; I'm sure if that was the idea, they would have been smart enough to develop a weighted pommel like the Europeans did instead of having that big hunk of extra material getting in their way. But the added versatility of that long of a handle for different techniques and moves, as well as the extra weight for balance if you do need to choke up on it? Well that's a no-brainer.
Phenomenal video, sir. I learned more from this than expected. You have a warrior's intuition. Also, I believe just like the sword design adapted to the needs on the battlefield, the warrior would adapt to the needs of the sword as you have. I'm confident the Jian and the European Longsword have a similar origin story based on the evolution of technology for the locations of their time. Supposedly, legs evolved on bottom dwelling creatures under the sea and went extinct multiple times, because legs worked and I don' t think this is any different (like Jians going in and out of "style" in China over the centuries). I have a similar, but slightly smaller, sword on the way and I will be incorporating your techniques into my weebing. If I may, how tall are you? I'm curious how the dimensions of the sword and yourself match up.
Re cutting I would suggest pulling backwards on contact with the target i.e. an overt draw cut across the target pulling the hands back with the blade horizontal.
For its usage, have you looked into the manual Wu Bei Zhi by Mao Yuan-Yi? Obviously, it's a much later manual, but it teaches the usage of a two handed Jian.
I think I once read about an article saying that Han Juan is normally used as a stabbing weapon. When the Han Dynasty had the wars with Xiongnu, soldiers of Han could not handle Han Jian while doing horseback riding. As a result, Han Dao was born because it is better to be used as a cutting weapon on the horseback.
Most longswords do not have a ricasso. Longswords are stiffer because of a thicker cross section. Ricassos were basically not a thing before the 1500s.
This guy comes into every single video of these swords to ask for a ricasso. Bro just go get an Albion then why make it so hard on yourself? If you love western sword designs then no problem go right ahead, there are other incredible options you can get such as Albion. Why do you have to come to a video about Chinese swordsmanship reconstruction, ignore all the historical context and deductions and just keep muttering about blade geometry and your sweet sweet ricasso?
Another great video. You deserve more subscribers!
Great explanations. Thank you for taking the time to make this video.
Also....an incredibly awesome sword!
Really interesting stuff and I can see you've put a lot of effort into the research and testing of techniques in manuals and historical records. Thanks for such an educational video!
Also like how you went into the struggles of understanding the details of manuals. I study a Korean ancient form called jedok geom and many times wished I could just meet the swordsmen of the time for clarification. In my dabbling of ssangsudo (in Chinese the dandao) I too came to the same conclusion of the stance and handwork regarding downwards cuts to avoid tip damage so I guess I'm on the right path. Thanks again!
I think, just like with this man, let your intuition and body connection show you. Whatever the technique is, it has to really work and be efficient. If you follow that, you will probably fill in the gaps with surprising accuracy, even if you need to jump to conclusions. But I understand your respect for the art likely motivates you to be true to the originals whenever possible. From what I understand, any master makes the technique his own in time though.
dude watching your swordplay is one of the most satisfying things ever. LK Chen himself would be honored.
Interesting video. I have the same sword, and found I was having similar issues with control you mentioned in the beginning. One thing that ended up helping me was re-wrapping the grip. The slicker cord, with the risers making thr grip as thick as it did made it uncomfortable. I also honed mine, though I dont feel that was really necessary. My experience with Chinese swords is very limited and use my own as more of a longsword. But after doing the grip again I consistently got better results in my cutting. Still cant draw the thing from the hip comfortably. This is a long blade. Lol. I do feel with the long grip this particular sword does some of it's best work with snapping cuts. Combined with forward/backward movement provided by footwork it cuts very well. The larger sweeping cuts need to have power provided with movement of the core muscles. Also moving the hands closer and further apart during different style cuts does me a lot of good as well with keeping the tip out of the dirt. Just my thoughts, and a great video on your part. Just earned another subscriber. 🙂 also if you dont mind where did you get your robes?
1-st
Very good video bro, please make how to apply this sword in sparring techniques with opponent. It will be GREAT. KEEP WORKING Bro 👍👌
Too bad you probably can't half-sword with that blade type. No ricasso.
@@ColossalSwordFormAndTechnique halfswording can be done without a ricasso, see Skallagrim's channel about this, it is an older video but he demonstrated halfswording with an Albion Caithness
@@ColossalSwordFormAndTechnique You can crasp sharp blade without risking your hand if you clamp tight enough. Blunt ricasso wouldnt even be that useful in many half sword technigues since they are often done further up the blade to achieve more control. Or even both hands on top portions of the blade like murderstroke
I love your videos man, your reviews were part of the reason I pulled the trigger on another LK Chen sword. Quick question, I'm so curious, where did you get your Han martial outfit in this video? I'd love to get one as well
nice explanation, btw where’d you get your hanfu?
I would like to know this too!
Great discussion. I don't think the sword was used in the way LK described, where the user grips the handle with two hands close to each other. There is no surviving treatise or even paintings to suggest this AT ALL, and LK made the statement of its grip based on pure speculations. I like his swords, but the way he basically assert how massive two-handed swords were used is counter-intuitive to put it kindly.
The advantage of two-handed swords with such long grips if you maximize the leverage the length of the grip can provide, so in cuts, it combines with the length of the blade to generate incredible tip speed to compensate the lack of mass in the blade. The result is very fast cuts yet with respectable cleaving power. It's capable of sever a leg of a horse, or a limb of an opponent in a quick swing, while recover to be in a defensive stance effortlessly, because of the light blade wouldn't be carried off by inertia.
It was NEVER (never say "never", but I'm willing to bet on this one) used to do light tapping. Yes, you can morph cuts into thrusts, but you also need to put body weight into it, as well as certain commitment in the swing, otherwise the light-weight blade will never be able to do its job in parry, which is the purpose of incorporate a thrust into a cut. Also, when LK talks about using the sword like a spear, yes, there are occasions you would want to use a two-handed sword like that, but gluing both of your hands together is just not conducive to the spear kind of usage. When was the last time you hold a spear with your two hands sticking to each other?
100%. I'm just a weeb and have no experience but I have common sense and intuition. I know that nothing on a weapon is wasted when life and death is on the line. You don't have a 16" handle to use half of it because you want the extra weight at the end for balance; I'm sure if that was the idea, they would have been smart enough to develop a weighted pommel like the Europeans did instead of having that big hunk of extra material getting in their way. But the added versatility of that long of a handle for different techniques and moves, as well as the extra weight for balance if you do need to choke up on it? Well that's a no-brainer.
Experimental archeology and using your resources to get there!!! LOVE YA, MAN! I'm getting that LK CHEN next!
YOU JUST USED THE TERM!!!!
Phenomenal video, sir. I learned more from this than expected. You have a warrior's intuition. Also, I believe just like the sword design adapted to the needs on the battlefield, the warrior would adapt to the needs of the sword as you have.
I'm confident the Jian and the European Longsword have a similar origin story based on the evolution of technology for the locations of their time. Supposedly, legs evolved on bottom dwelling creatures under the sea and went extinct multiple times, because legs worked and I don' t think this is any different (like Jians going in and out of "style" in China over the centuries).
I have a similar, but slightly smaller, sword on the way and I will be incorporating your techniques into my weebing. If I may, how tall are you? I'm curious how the dimensions of the sword and yourself match up.
Re cutting I would suggest pulling backwards on contact with the target i.e. an overt draw cut across the target pulling the hands back with the blade horizontal.
For its usage, have you looked into the manual Wu Bei Zhi by Mao Yuan-Yi? Obviously, it's a much later manual, but it teaches the usage of a two handed Jian.
I don’t know much about Chinese swords so I subscribed, nice video, keep it up.
I think I once read about an article saying that Han Juan is normally used as a stabbing weapon. When the Han Dynasty had the wars with Xiongnu, soldiers of Han could not handle Han Jian while doing horseback riding. As a result, Han Dao was born because it is better to be used as a cutting weapon on the horseback.
extremely informative
this guy is good.
🎉🎉😎
How tall are u? I’m 5’7 , is this sword maybe too long for me?
I'm about 5'7" as well and own this sword. I've had about the same experience as OP
剑柄很长，这是汉剑吗？
Does it feel wobbly compared to European longswords? Because it has no ricasso?
Most longswords do not have a ricasso. Longswords are stiffer because of a thicker cross section. Ricassos were basically not a thing before the 1500s.
Yep, very thin and wobbly. I'll buy when they make it thicker and have a ricasso.
This guy comes into every single video of these swords to ask for a ricasso. Bro just go get an Albion then why make it so hard on yourself? If you love western sword designs then no problem go right ahead, there are other incredible options you can get such as Albion. Why do you have to come to a video about Chinese swordsmanship reconstruction, ignore all the historical context and deductions and just keep muttering about blade geometry and your sweet sweet ricasso?
they are never gonna change it this is how the Original is
@@micahcampa the original was much thicker buddy , it just LK chen make it thinner
it was thicker originally
@@ZhangLee. Thank you. Swords are suppose to be tough enough against armor and shield, and against other steel weapons.