2200 Year Old Chinese Swords - LK Chen Magnificent Chu Jian Review & History 

LK is really making waves. Finally someone is putting the attention to detail towards making historical chinese swords. Most out there just aren't that great.

Your pronunciation of "jian" is now pleasing to the ears.

I am thrilled by this review. I was one of those shouting corrections at the last Jian review, and I have to say I am impressed with how your knowledge on the subject has increased since then. As someone who as been in the middle of research and experiment project with historical Jian combat for the past few years, it’s fantastic to see the information spread.

The "belt loop" is a scabbard slide. They were often made from jade. (as were the other fittings) There's a whole book on these called "The Long Sword and Scabbard Slide in Asia", and I think it's freely available in digital form.

Chinese swords aren’t normally my area of interest but this one looks very well done it must be said. Excellent attention to detail. Looks like it was made by people who took their time to get the product right. Thank you for this in depth review.

Lk Chen : "We make warring states and Han period swords." "Aren't you missing an entire imperial dynasty?" Archaeologically, the Qin dynasty was so short-lived that soldiers probably just scraped off the qin insignias on their equipment and continued on serving the splinter rebel states then later in the Han army (not much to look for until 1974), yet culturally it had so much influence on China down the line.

Been waiting for this review for a while!! Minor correction: rather than the dynasty of Chu, it's the Kingdom of Chu during the Warring States period of the dynasty of Zhou. Much the same as during the Wars of the Roses, the country was still under the rule of the Plantagenet dynasty.

In case anyone in the UK is wondering, this was the first sword I ordered from them last year and the team were utterly amazing from answering every query I had, to giving me in depth historical information regarding the military history of Han China. Shipping was quick and effortless, and I had no hiccups from customs (though YMMV). Regarding the weapon itself the build quality is incredible and it is a work of art, and I was more than happy to order from them again (and I recently took hold of two more of their blades this week). Everything Matt has said (as well as SwordSage and Skall) about the blade is correct, and even if his video *is* a paid production (it isnt) this post isn't and I can confirm their opinions. My only issue, in fact, was the cord wrap around the handle which after a *lot* of use now requires re-doing. If anyone has any questions let me know and I'll be only to happy to answer, but be aware it's almost only good things! :)

Chinese swords are really underrated, thanks for fixing this with this very interesting review! :-D

I fell in love with this sword since I saw the Swordsage and Skallagrim videos! And I'm the type that prefers European long swords! but in the current situation, even though LK Chen's prices are not absurd, it is out of reach for me, unfortunately ... In fact, I think their prices are quite low, for the quality they seem to have ...

What's great is LK Chen bases his expanding line of products on a sampling of actual antiques and includes a lot of historical and cultural info on his website. Great to get your take on his work Matt - thank you!

Disclaimer: This is my favorite historical martial arts (& many other topics) chanel bar none. That being said, having someone so knowledgeable and articulate around this subject matter and looking so completely bad ass when flourishing the weapon is just fan-fucking-tastic.

I've been debating on buying from lk Chen this review will probably result in a new purchase, cheers Matt

Something like this can alter people's perceptions. 2,200 years ago and such incredible sophistication. Many people don't realise that China and India have been the economic hearts of the planet for all of civilisation until the hiccough during the colonial period. And that wealth means a lot of money for crafts to develop to extraordinary levels of refinement. Also the scale of warfare in China dwarfs everything from the European classical and medieval eras - similarly promoting high levels of craftsmanship.

What a great, comprehensive review. Cheers Matt.

Man I love watching Matt move with a sword. His flourishes flow like water and the blade glints like lightning. It's so pleasurable watching a master in his element.

It was GREAT to see you enjoy yourself so much Matt!

This is absolutely beautiful... I want it sooooo badly

Mr. Easton thank you, for another, comprehensive, detailed and in depth review. And you sure are not exaggerating about the price being outstanding. They actually have a link to your video review, now. Super cool Matt. . On sale right now for 350 bucks, normally 400 US. Good stuff. Thank you. Cheers!

I have a Flying Phoenix on order. With you, Skall, and Swordsage giving LK glowing reviews you can be sure my anticipation is peaked.

I have a White Arc by LK Chen and swallow-tail spears. The White Arc is extremely (scary) sharp, so I'm a bit surprised the Magnificent isn't as sharp. Great customer service and dedication to the art and history they are producing. I intend on acquiring several more swords - especially as they come out with new designs.

I`m realy happy to hear more information about this sword`s history and that`s fenomenal for me how early this steel blade. Great video, thx for your work Matt!

I'm not feeling well but I now have time to watch your Chinese sword videos so I'm quite happy

Taiwanese here, your pronunciation of Jian is perfect.

LK Chen is on my watchlist now

I tend to find some chinese swords very beautiful, the simple and minimalist look on them are quite different from some european swords, this one became one of my favourite, its is a piece of art, they look so elegant too.

That's a beautiful sword! Great review, too

That video convinced me to buy it myself. It is sutch a beautyiful design. Your review is spot on, thank you. 😊

Thanks Matt! Great to hear you pronouncing Jian properly! I've actually really wanted to get a Jian recently and was looking at LK Chens as well. I think they seem really good quality, I just can't help but feel like I don't like the aesthetic too much.

I have a flying pheonix from LK chen on the way . It was a great buying experience i had an insightful conversation with the own afterwards . Good people

"...Ewart Park type, made by Neil Burridge..." Guys that's Matt flexing his sword collection at us.

beautiful sword Matt and a great Video as always, the RU-vidr Swordsage has made Review for multiple LK Chen Swords and other Chinese Replica swords. A Collab between you two would be awesome, if you want to spend more time With Chinese Swords and Their History.

I really really hope you end up also reviewing LK Chen's Infantry Han Dao and their Frontier Tang Dao!

When I see Jian or Dao, I subscribed! Pls do more chinese swords!😍😍

Great review of a really beautiful sword! 👍

Incredible work. I'm thinking I might want to pick up their Roaring Dragon model.

Awwww, the full review is finally here

I'm so glad to see you cover this type of sword! In Chinese tradition it is known as the "Gentleman of Weapons"(the spear being the "King" of course). These swords are from the period when there was very little difference between Chinese and Japanese swords, as single-edged swords such as the tachi and katana hadn't come around yet. In fact, this very well could be what the legendary Kusanagi-no-tsurugi looks like, the sword connected with the creation of the Japanese Empire. I'd also be very interested to see if this same maker produces a replica of the Sword of Goujian!

Beautiful flourishes Matt, the sword came alive in your hands.

You are a legend for this.

During the warring states (475-221bc), iron swords were already common in the Yan state, however, Qin won the wars and united the states, and it's ruler became Qin the first emperor. Qin has skillful craftmen pushing the bronze casting skill to the limit and their bronze swords are as long as 95cm (50% longer than other states). So even though there were already technology to mass produce iron swords, they did not become the mainstream until Han dynasty, after the fall of Qin dynasty.

Well done, very thorough. These replicas of ancient Chinese weapons is great. So little is known of them. A simply beautiful sword. Well done LK Chen for bringing these swords back to life. Incidentally I don't think there was a Chu dynasty. It was more likely one of many competing states.

Excellent review. Think you sold me on picking up one of their dao...

I own one of these and some others from LKChen. This sword is really incredibly beautiful and well made. It's gorgeous. They somewhere stated that in the old days the fittings often were inlayed with jade. In terms of handling though, I prefer their Flying Phoenix. It's even lighter and not that fancy, but feels so good in the hand that it is sometimes hard to put it away after handling it. And it's a beastly cutter, probably due to its better blade geometry. I could talk about their swords all day 🤣

If you plan on aging the bronze, could you make a video of it?

Didn't expect the scabbard to have such a striking and colourful design on it.

ancient chinese swords, warring states and so forth are just amazing. Hope one day we get actual bronze repos too.

the symbol on guard is “饕餮纹“. 纹=symbol，饕餮=monster & beast

Yay, new video

Wow! Nice sword and review! Btw, it is the Chu Kingdom rather than dynasty, whose last king (lord) Xiang Yu was defeated by Liu Bang (later the founding emperor of the Han Dynasty).

They are really beautiful swords. I wanted to add a Jian to my collection for quite some time now, the only Chinese sword I have for now is a Oxtail Dao. I think I will give the LK Jian try. They really look beautiful. Great video as always Matt. Looking forward to the cutting video and some more videos about other Chinese swords.

What a gorgeous piece! I really want one now :(

I always thought Chinese sword designs were a bit lame compare to European and Japanese ones. Now I know it's just because there weren't people making good modern replicas before, and now there are. This thing really stands its own ground even putting next to some of the best katanas and western swords.

Unfortunately LK Chen doesn't make Warring States shield (as far as I can tell from his website). He does make those cool Han Dynasty hooked buckler though. BTW it's Chu State, not Chu Dynasty, although I am sure someone else already pointed this out in the comment.

Hello from lebanon, im charles isnt the same sword skallagrim reviewed also, anw ive been experimenting with jian techniques recently, great review as always keep up the great informational work, regards matt

I'd love to see LK Chen make a much later period Da Dao.

Although clearly it has significant differences from them it's basic blade profile, scabbard mounts & short guard are not all that dissimilar from the design of migration era and Viking era swords.

I checked out the website for these, and I'm really surprised by the prize. They're much cheaper than I expected. They look like they'd be more like $600-$750, rather than the $300-$450 they actually are. Might seriously consider one when I get spending money...

Great video, Matt. I really hope LKChen sent you their White Arc jian because that mfer is genuinely razor sharp.

hey Matt - I am making true replicas of original Chinese swords. I am a professor of psychology, so I only do a couple per year. I use modern steel, though. Mine are one-to-one matched to specific swords or at least class of swords. Not trying to sell anything here. Just mentioning. I work with Scott Rodell who provides the measurements and I make the blade to fit.

Man I really hope one of the other swords is a two-handed jian, really interested in Matt's take on those

Would you make a video when you decide to sharpen this sword? I'm sure I'm not the only one who would love to see that. ^_^

Could you do a little guide how you sharpen the sword? Would be really interesting.

Beautiful piece. Any suggestions on channels that talk about Chinese swordsmanship?

Thank you for the review. I had been considering adding this sword to my collection. Now where is my credit card . Would you please also review similar sword from Northshire Swords. Thank you again

The most famous sword of the Chu State era is the Sword of Goujian, which is bronze. Apparently funerary swords from that era are mostly bronze, but they are often buried next to servants (real live executed ones or representations of) with steel tools for growing them food in the afterlife. One of the advantages of bronze swords over steel is that bronze lasts for eternity in the afterlife, while iron rusts. Even the weapons found with the terra cotta warriors, which was well within the iron age, are mostly bronze. There's a lot more terra cotta archers, chariot pullers & the like than there are sword carriers.

Although they are normally sharp swords you can also request a dull one for practice or tai chi or other cases where you'd rather it just be safer. You could probably request that extra little bit of bite too and if they know you want it, they'd make sure it's there.

LK Chen knows his shit! Love it!

Scholagladiatora, The SHIELD GUARD HAN JIAN by LK Chen. He mentions it's designed for fencing specifically. With a built in shield. It has a POB of 1.57" (4cm) weighs 2lb 12.44 oz ( 1260grams) Could be interesting to look at. This model is probably the closest to a rapier as you can get at least from China. It has the best POB of all the Jian that they sell. Which I also got an email from Lk Chen saying he's researching the Smallsword.

Good gods that’s gorgeous! My personal faves are Germanic migration age swords ... this is right up there with them for pure beauty! Stunning!

Very impressive they were able to jump so quickly from bronze to what seems like a very advanced steel blade.

as soon as the shipping rates go back to normal, i'll be looking to get one.

I've always thought about the sword's geometry was exclusive a Chinese feature till today. the carp's tongue is amazing.!

great review. i'd love to see it with a decent sized crossguard. I'd even retro fit one (not worried about the trad. look). However, i think the way the hilts are constructed, (by LK Chen) might make it hard to remove that assembly. But, i'm thinking, can i build a crossguard that slides down the blade. And then fixes tightly over the old 'crossguard'. So i can have both designs :)

Now, that is a pretty sword! Question - did designing steel swords the same way as bronze ones come with any disadvantages?

Nice blade! Cutting tests, please!

Been thinking of getting something like a sidesword or sabre-hilted broadsword, but, the more I hear about this brand of jian, the more I think I should get one.

Found a bug, the guard of this sword, is a beast's mouth, might be a tiger. the shape looks like it would swallow the blade, this was called 吞口, which was very popular design in ancient chiense swords or 刀 blades. Just like some of those armors at the same time.

Maybe I've missed it, but have you ever made a video on any of Neil Burridge's bronze swords?

Thank you for this review. I have been looking for a fully functional Jian for quite sometime. One I can practice forms with as well as cutting and self defense. Am I correct in thinking that this swords fits my needs or is there another sword crafted by LK Chen that may be even better? I am not as concerned about historical accuracy as I am dependable and functionality. Again , thank you sir.

Wow a very beautiful sword

A chinese hook shield would be an excellent combo and probably historical.

beautiful I must have one

That is a beautiful sword. Blade looks similar to a Scandinavian Viking sword I own.

plz do a review on top witcher silver swords

Please make another video when you get that shield.

Wow....now I'm curious as to how this blade would feel and perform if attached to an 19th century British cavalry sword hilt..

Matt! When will you review the flying pheonix? PLease!

I see one huge problem though, copper alloys often (I'm not completely sure if specifically bronze does this) accelerate electrochemical oxidation on steel when the two are both directly and through electrolyte in contact. So if you get sweat or blood in the corners between the bronze and the blade, it could rust lose the blade in a few years.

I'd love to show up to TaiChi class with that 😊

Wow, you weren't kidding about the price point. I was checking out their page expecting something in the neighbourhood of your average Albion prices, given the quality, but these are *much* more affordable. I've certainly had much worse-quality replicas for that price.

When will you review the O Katana ?

I don't know if there are similar tranditions in other countries, but in China there is a traditional saying that displaying a sword in the house could scare off bad ghosts.

I noticed that all the swords that are used in conjunction with a shield are lacking crossbars or other handguards. I assume that this is not by accident but to prevent the sword getting entangled with the rim of the shield.

Images of a Terracotta Qin chariot operator wearing the sword on his back: pin.it/bxx0ipA pin.it/2xgL2H1 and pin.it/4Y2TWTM Modern reconstruction drawing depicting Chinese Nobleman wearing a sword from the relative periods: pin.it/2Z5k6DM (Chu dynasty nobleman) pin.it/5SNwvXE (Qin dynasty nobleman) pin.it/1vYQMY0 (Han dynasty nobleman)

Beautiful sword, i wonder if their construction changed in later dynasties in any way, maybe to squeeze some possible advantage out of the new material ?

Gorgeous weapon

I hope to some day move with a sword the way Matt does here

So there I was in New York City. A Buddhist Monk went to go get a hotdog. He paid the vendor with a $10 bill. The hotdog was $5. He then waited and looked at the vendor. He asked the vendor " What about my change?" The vendor says " Ah. Change must come from within"

Nice vid. You spoke about the sharpness of the blade, but you didn't mention whether you ordered the 'sharp' version, or the 'not sharp' version. If that's their version of 'sharp' then I'm comfortable with it - I can touch it up myself as necessary - likewise, if it's their version of 'not-sharp'. But, if I allow some guy on the other side of the planet who I don't know/trust to put a 'sharp' edge on a sword, which I might not be able to return - that's a problem.