An Outsider's Interpretation of Chinese Hook Swords

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I'm approaching these intentionally with a blank slate, without prior knowledge of their use or historical context. Although that means I'm bound to get things wrong and reach inaccurate conclusions to some extent it's interesting to approach a weapon design without any preconceived notions and just get a feel for it.
Unfortunately I can't do the cool moves that Kabal pulls off in Mortal Kombat 11. :)
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13 мар 2020

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Комментарии : 1,8 тыс.

@maycontainnuts3127 4 года назад

There is no war in Ba Sing Se.

@amp7778 4 года назад

No one can break through our walls.

@TheMasterOfCornedy 4 года назад

@AsiaNPC I am honoured to accept his invitation.

@TheJiminyJim 4 года назад

Da fuq, Jet?

@user-fg9dc9nn4o 4 года назад

Azula: 👀

@nightwolflocky 4 года назад

You reference Avatar and have a picture of Nia....high respect my brother

@Huy-G-Le 4 года назад

Dealers: Yeah, so I got this strangest shipment of weapons ever! there was a sword with a hook. Pirate: *This is good* .

@franciscoguinledebarros4429 4 года назад

Pirates with hookswords huh... That's a badass idea

@krishnakantbhatt9947 4 года назад

Arrrrh, me maytees... now where did they shove my eye-patch

@krishnakantbhatt9947 4 года назад

@Richard Joyce Sounds like an idea for an interesting character in a book

@uxsvent1 4 года назад

@Richard Joyce lol there was a ninja clan of pirates look it up. I think it was run by a samurai.

@Seelenschmiede 4 года назад

Shut up ya landlubberrrrrr and take my dublons! ARRRR!

@EzioIlMentore 4 года назад

*The Earth King has invited you to Lake Laogai.*

@nerogematria6392 4 года назад

I am honored to accept his invitation.

@gibbous_silver 4 года назад

Amazing last air bender reference

@dylanbutler698 4 года назад

Hi, my name is Joo Dee

@officialsumo6192 4 года назад

Would jet pass the rick grimes test?

@fujiwara478hp 4 года назад

Dude this is why I watched hook swords videos

@Stellar001100 4 года назад

Kabal: *You're doing it all wrong. You're supposed to hold X down and slide the controller.*

@rsbps3gamefreak5821 3 года назад

I read it with Kabal's voice

@donomiroftroy2043 3 года назад

2:14 looks like hooked in intro

@sayerglasgow115 4 года назад

They're most effective when you hold a piece of straw in your mouth.

@Tyme_Whyrlwynd 4 года назад

Tell that to Zuko the next time he fights a bunch of rogue Earth Kingdom soldiers.

@thearcanehunter2736 3 года назад

@Jacob Locklear wut

@epice9801 3 года назад

Is that an A.T.L.A reference I see? :)

@esketispaghetti3257 3 года назад

You beat me to it, by six months

@israelwood2926 3 года назад

Nope, gas mask

@mencheperra3916 4 года назад

If you hook them together, it's the speed of the swing that matters. Then quicker you swing, than more stable it is.

@serindas 4 года назад

I still don't think it's effective because it's impossibile to have a good edge allignement.

@mencheperra3916 4 года назад

@@serindas Again it's the speed that matters. In that moment the other sword is more like a flail than a edge. Also you strike with the and the pommel guard of the hooked sword, not the edge.

@nyan2317 4 года назад

But what happens after impact in high speed flailing like that? I mean, won't be a good move if it deflects and hits you in the face instead.

@mencheperra3916 4 года назад

@@nyan2317 That only happens if you decrease the distance between you and the weapon at that moment it hits your opponent. If you do it right you will be able to catch it. But it requires a lot of practise. Like all swords do.

@serindas 4 года назад

@@mencheperra3916 not really sure about that, I think that a similar attack is easy to block with your sword. You can't block a flail because it's to flexible due the chain.

@LizardKingTF2Halo174 4 года назад

"If anyone knows where I can get a high quality reproducti-" *Blacksmiths in the comments:* Hold my beer.

@Agilku117 4 года назад

*smithing intensifies

@zenonherrera4366 4 года назад

Baltimore Knife and Sword.

@wander1139 4 года назад

@@zenonherrera4366 if your trying to get one as a real steal weapon just be aware that these things are sharp as shit i had one for 4 years and almost stabbed myself with them multiple times do to having the bladed pummel and at me do to mistakes there really cool to look at but very dangerous to handle

@HelenaOfDetroit 4 года назад

Alec Steel and Co are making a high quality pair.

@gfj06 4 года назад

I could probaly forge some with if i got enough money but i kind of a noob apprentice

@Deleted_Alt 3 года назад

”Imagine this just entering behind the collarbone and hooking behind it" OH THANKS I NEEDED THAT PHANTOM PAIN

@karr1265 3 года назад

Just imagine it. Do it

@cavalierliberty6838 3 года назад

Then just imagine them spinning the person around and slamming them into the ground, then you hear "FINISH HIM' as you pull your mask off and scare them with the disfigured face you have.

@russiancheems2275 3 года назад

Metal Gear Solid V?

@sebastianriz4703 2 года назад

"Metal Gear..."

@badger6728 2 года назад

@@sebastianriz4703 “Metal Gear?”

@Kabissz 4 года назад

The hooking together and throw feels like an "end them rightly" move of the orient.

@DrBunnyMedicinal 4 года назад

@DarthWall275 4 года назад

Endo zem rightry.

@Red-S-267 4 года назад

I’ve seen people do it a few time and so far..... it’s very flashy and nice compared to the “end then rightly”

@stubbornone1189 4 года назад

It's a highly practical move if you are practiced with them. Imagine stepping back to create distance and your opponent still hits you with exact precision. Your opponent hasn't stepped forward as you moved back, so the attack is often completely unexpected. Some people see the attack coming and will duck or put up guard because it can look as though you are throwing your weapon at them, and they end up taking a solid hit and looking confused. I noticed that I kind of telegraph the move, so a trick I use is this: Several moves I have adapted to place the heads of the swords together between transitions, and some moves I actually hook the heads and then twist them apart as I transition into another movement. By doing this, I've noticed my sparring partners never know when to expect the extension, and it's almost a fatal hit every time. I also advise learning to use a single hook sword against armed opponents, as when you start doing the extension strikes you can find yourself with only one sword. Depending on the situation, it can be better to trust your wrist and unhook the other sword, rather than taking the time to try to catch it.

@jay_idk337 4 года назад

Stubborn one that would not work against skilled fighters or even semi skilled even if they did a panic guard u wouldn’t hit them so I find it useless unless u use that to panic a semi skilled person and use ur other hand to grab there sword or punch them

@lokdog257 3 года назад

Hooking them together and swinging them, is actually a thing. Monks were crazy

@isaacstrinavic4384 3 года назад

You forgot to add the proof

@Cliesel 3 года назад

@@isaacstrinavic4384 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-fGnn-G6T7cc.html (start from 1:22)

@slkjvlkfsvnlsdfhgdght5447 2 года назад

@@Cliesel this really doesn't seem like a combat maneuver, it only seems like a flashy show move

@Ninjaman9323 2 года назад

@@slkjvlkfsvnlsdfhgdght5447 yeah suddenly doubling your effective range and slashing open your opponents stomach is just a flashy maneuver.

@slkjvlkfsvnlsdfhgdght5447 2 года назад

@@Ninjaman9323 yeah, good luck actually doing that without the hilt getting in the way, or your opponent blocking it and then having one of the swords fall on the ground

@mortuorumrex6176 4 года назад

Now we need someone who knows oriental martial arts really freaking well to examine some European weaponry.

@demonstone0 3 года назад

I would love this

@echbruh6598 3 года назад

Sword Sage

@SeaSerpentLevi 2 года назад

I love how much hook blades feel like a fantasy weapon, while at the same time being an extremely effective and versatile weapon. Like, you could literally just throw it in a kindgom hearts game and it feels right at home, but people were using that to fight real battles! Its amazing hahaha

@iantaakalla8180 Год назад

I wonder if keyblades could be used a the worst versions of hook swords? They do have the teeth to do some grappling stuff but the would bind a lot.

@nkyfong Год назад

The Keyblade was actually inspired by hook swords, hence the twirling in the fighting style, the unorthodox striking point and how they are sometimes dual wielded.

@trainershade1937 4 года назад

Analysis: Ineffective against Earth Benders. Earth Bender: 1 Demented Robin Hood-like Kid: 0

@biohazard724 4 года назад

Unusually effective vs Fire Nation though

@normanfreeman5205 4 года назад

Unless it's Zuko

@Alusnovalotus 4 года назад

Trainer Shade foolish boy. You’ve chosen your own demise.

@ricd.5121 4 года назад

Jet

@oliversotir3914 4 года назад

Perfect balance of likes

@anemone3777 4 года назад

Aight idk if you will read this but since you asked: >am I doing good? Mostly? You're definitely onto something. >what is sharpened? The inside of the hook and the point of the hook itself. The outside of the curve can be shrpened but isn't always, as isn't the blade closer to the handle. The outside of the crescent guard, the points and the spike are all sharp. >can I link them to extend range? This is a real technique in hook sword forms. As a small number of other techniques, it's mostly meant to train your control over the weapon, but you can still use it to strike some in a vulnerable spot (mostly the face) or threaten someone not to close in. If you swing hard enough and with intimate knowledge of the weapons they won't detatch, but it's not something easy to do and you'll probably avoid it against someone in armor. >how do I cut? You're mostly onto it. Punch with the guard, stab with the spine, hook with the blade. Rising slashes are featured prominently too. Thrusts are featured sometimes and definitely doable if the outside of the hook is sharpened. It's important to impart a good rotation to your cuts, to allow the hook to sink into the target and open its way more easily. >do i move them separately or do i move them together? Both. Against heavier weapons you definitely want to use them in mirrored motions, often kept parallel to each other at some 30 cm of distance to avoid them tangling with eat other and to have a better chance of sneaking one past the hooked weapon.

@stenlohmus7766 4 года назад

Would it be a feasible technique to disorientate your opponent with the extended weapon swing and then use the 2nd weapon you still have to attack the opponent while they focus on the first weapon?

@justpassing2533 4 года назад

@@stenlohmus7766 It's valid move for any kind weapon combinations

@bigolbearthejammydodger6527 4 года назад

I was about to leave a comment then I saw yours. You nailed it! Skall was surprisingly astute wasn't he considering a lack of knowledge on the subject. The only things I feel I should add to this are: 1. it was also used in a grappling techniques and throws. 2. the foot work for kungfu (in this case tiger style and derivatives) is quite different from HEMA. To understand well how to use them you need to learn the footwork first. 3. there are reports of these being climbing tools as well as weapons, and historically speaking their origin is believed by some to have been in a tool used for climbing trees and picking bark. 4. using it like an axe... I think this happened - its too obvious not to have, but i cant name any specific techniques where the blade was reversed (can you? im curious)

@yoda4231 3 года назад

Thanks for all the fact

@FolgaPenoplast 3 года назад

Looks like a great off-hand weapon. Could it be used in the way of a supportive weapon? Maybe like a tool for parrying?

@octavio8779 4 года назад

Hi Skallagrim, Hook swords were designed for use on the battlefield against polearms and chains or flails. They have the advantage of being able to easily hook thrusts from a spear and wrap up chains or flails while striking with the second sword. Against straight swords like the one you were sparring against, the hook sword is at disadvantage due to reach and the hooking part not being as effective against slashes or quick thrusts. The chinese officers may have had a pair of these to deal with opponents with spears, chainwhips, but would not use against straight swords. Most likely a situational secondary weapon for the upper class since forging these can be a pain in the ass and probably expensive historically speaking.

@Awesomeflame16 23 дня назад

Freaking love these things. They look so fun to use.

@AquaStrategist 4 года назад

The reason the hooks are falling off when you hook them together is because the actual hooks are actually bigger and there is a smaller gap in between. Hooking them together and striking is actually a real move

@DisKorruptd 3 года назад

Also, because he keeps stopping as if he's swinging a traditional whip rather than continuing to follow through

@siekensou77 3 года назад

@@DisKorruptd all movements i see him do here are very static. this is a nimble weapon.

@yokai333 4 года назад

Don't think of them as separate, because they're not. They're two halves of the same whole. Working in unison. -zuko

@Shredder212Films 4 года назад

That was with is swords tho not jets hook swords

@leosolcanonizado4065 4 года назад

Still works though, the weapons may be different but on a fundamental note they all share the same moves, especially since they are swords, particularly dual swords. Isn’t that the point of all Kung fu and martial arts in general.

@matthewmuir8884 4 года назад

Zuko was talking about his Dao swords when he said that.

@Wingzero90939 4 года назад

Yeah here’s a real life example, this is a Jian but it’s a double where you can literally use both as one. www.mandarinmansion.com/item/shuangjian-ivory-grips

@samfish2550 4 года назад

It took me like half way through reading to get the reference. I feel shame

@awesomearsam1890 4 года назад

4:30 "trap an opponent's weapon" **Nuxia has entered the game**

@_sargentocoelho_4441 4 года назад

Just got my ass whooped by one. *Even here im not safe*

@dracanisobsidian1613 4 года назад

Fuckin nuxia

@recluse5245 4 года назад

I call her NUTia

@angryskeleton5676 4 года назад

When you go for the parry and realize its not a heavy.

@thebadmcclain4655 4 года назад

Can’t trap if I keep throwing lights you Captain Hook bitch.

@Rolepgeek 3 года назад

The biggest thing I noticed is how aggressive you're able to be with them. They're so useful for parries, fast at changing up, and give so many options for striking while still controlling how your opponent can strike at you that the reach disadvantage almost doesn't matter. Almost. :P

@agent_aphelion 4 года назад

Makes my heart happy to see so many ATLA fans here

@grimnirulfbrand1491 4 года назад

The sheer fact that someone now makes a synthetic practice hooksword is marvelous to me. I'm so glad to see this uploaded.

@Ontarianmm 4 года назад

They are pretty nice too. I own a pair.

@jay_idk337 4 года назад

U can get synthetic of many types of unique weapons

@ArmouredProductions 4 года назад

Purpleheart Armory has all sorts of Synthetic weapons, and they even do custom weapons. They made for me a Mainz Gladius, Pugio, and Dolabra (Roman Pickaxe)

@torunsmok5890 4 года назад

I gotta get me a pair of hook swords and a khopesh and Egyptian shield, see which pairing involving hooked blades wins

@ntfoperative9432 Год назад

I believe the Chinese name for them is the Shian Guo

@saltypork101 4 года назад

It looks like an ideal weapon for someone who's very good at hand-to-hand fighting.

@Uncle_Tijikun 4 года назад

That's what I was about to say. I have been training in Okinawan karate for 17 years, which heavily relies on close distance/in fighting. When I started Hema my instructor realized that and we worked on countering and directly closing the distance in order to use my knowledge to my advantage. A similar weapon imho needs a really ballistic approach in closing the distance, which, to be fair, isn't easy to replicate in light sparring

@redp3206 4 года назад

Hand to hand is verry usefull in that case

@saltypork101 4 года назад

@@Uncle_Tijikun That's really interesting! I trained in Tang Soo Do for 10 years, and I definitely saw the possibility of replicating a lot of techniques with those weapons. Not just strikes either, but some grabs too thanks to those hooked tips. Other people on here have talked about these swords being associated with kung fu, which makes sense as that is one of the main influences of the school of martial arts that I studied. I think we have a pretty solid hypothesis here.

@KickyFut 4 года назад

I was thinking something more flowy like Capoeira, as you can continue to kick and sweep while attacking/defending with the swords.

@saltypork101 4 года назад

KickyFut Might want to keep those kicks low down, as over-extending the leg would likely leave a very forward, very fleshy target against an armed opponent. Imagine parrying an ankle with a longsword. Or don't, if you're having your dinner. I admit, I have zero experience with Capoeira, but from people who do I gather that the whole premise is that you're fighting against better armed opponents? It would seem like you wouldn't need to go to the trouble of introducing a whole new weird weapon to compensate for that weakness if your entire fighting style is predicated on addressing it anyway?

@YKSB5 4 года назад

The locking swords maneuver is meant for opponents who can extend spacing quickly. It usually involves 2-3 rotations with the first being the feint, to trigger the extension of spacing, and the locking of the swords. It requires committed follow-through on all rotations otherwise the momentum locking the swords is lost, hence they come loose. Intended targeting is the neck and face.

@shotintel 4 года назад

Just looking at the sparing, it seems like there is a need to close much quicker once the blade is hooked. This feels more like a dagger range weapon just with a method to control/block your opponent's weapon from mid range.

@albertdittel8898 3 года назад

Yes, which actually is a legit and promising fighting concept/doctrine.

@chakatBombshell 2 года назад

That is how you use them for actual dueling, redirect an attack take advantage of an opportunity, push in and get so close they can't do much about you punching their chest open.

@ph1lny3 Год назад

Yeah, basically seems like the grappler of weapons

@theladyivy 11 месяцев назад

The one thing I notice is that he keeps trying to hook them from the inside of his opponent's guard, but for these weapons the outside is way more effective. I.e. when of attacking down the middle and knocking the weapon left or right, you don't get a solid deadlock and you have to move in close while still maintaining a lot of focus on your deadlock, which will also allow the opponent's blade to slip away from the hook and perform several different counter measures to escape or move in for his own strike. Conversely, attacking from left or right and deadlocking the opponent's blade in the middle, affords you alot more control more control over the deadlock, and allows more range of movement. The fighting style should be a lot wider, with more range, but as you can see, he's fighting with a very HEMA-centric stance, both blades close together, body almost bunched up. Hook Sword style is very flowing and expanded in comparison.

@Filip1389_ 4 года назад

Lately i've been really ''hooked'' by your content. ❤︎

@swordfighter18 4 года назад

Get out!

@shilopnamreg6468 4 года назад

Whose dad is this? Someone come get their dad.

@gossamer999 4 года назад

I am determined to find a high quality set of them and send em his way.

@lachy1709 4 года назад

Gaussamer www.wlereference.info/products/W056-C.html the price isn’t bad considering it’s two swords of sparring quality

@lachy1709 4 года назад

sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/20296/swords-tiger-functional-battle-ready this is also good because it gives various options

@fransthefox9682 4 года назад

JKOO can make you one, just be sure that your request is super detailed.

@fransthefox9682 4 года назад

@Anzu Wyliei They are an affordable "good value for money" swordmaking company located in Longquan. I can't tell you a price, but maybe you can get a pair of hook swords for $400 or $300 if you ask for 9260 spring steel. Here's their website: www.sinosword.com/ One time they made a massive beast like this by hand: cookdingskitchen.blogspot.com/2015/06/the-worlds-largest-miao-dao.html?m=1 It clearly shows their level of skills.

@fransthefox9682 4 года назад

@Anzu Wyliei Oh, right, and send them pictures of the sword you want. And specifications for... well... everything on the sword.

@Hedgemonkey5 3 года назад

You're going to hate the source of this, but on Deadliest Warrior they demonstrated the 'hooked together' swing and it was surprisingly effective against a ballistic gel torso.

@rodneymorris6971 3 года назад

Theyre pretty strong, Ive busted wooden planks and concrete with these. The hooked swing is hard to hit because theres a small variable distance where they're most effective and you cant swing slow otherwise they wont line up. Its more of a surprise tactic than anything. Also any form of Shaolin warfare is a battle of deception and agility, these fit the bill.

@herbertkraft7379 4 года назад

The additional sparring footage at the end was a great idea. :)

@nuke1863 4 года назад

7:25 basically me changing guard with nuxia

@makukawakami 4 года назад

Basically warden vs nuxia

@justascaredpussycat1869 4 года назад

Basically nuxia spamming light attack

@Junglehunter677 4 года назад

@@justascaredpussycat1869 not our fault her heavy takes to long and is very clearly telegraphed and easy to parry. Remember kids, theres no need for a heavy when when it gets parried 97% of the time.

@Sk0lzky 4 года назад

Every time people bitch about fast guard changes to confuse the opponent I think of Hema and laugh PS have they fixed the guard flicker?

@Damienx247 4 года назад

Fun fact, the Chinese did have halberds with the crescent blade and spear point. You had the Qinglong Ji with one crescent blade, and the Fangtang Ji, which like the double-bitted battle axe had two crescent blades.

@madhatten00 4 года назад

Hook sword basically what u get when u take two qinglong ji and cut them in half and keep the spear heads and then stick metal blade rods on the other sides with hooks to link them. Probably why u see certain techniques that emphasize punching and striking with them in reverse grip. I feel like the main blade is really the crecsent. Almost like it's a chakram.

@FalconWindblader 4 года назад

Just one correction. The 3-pronged counterpart of the ji is called fangTIAN ji.

@natebaldree1937 3 года назад

I would love toi see another video about this. I've been quite curious about them for a long time myself.

@saberserpent1134 3 года назад

Cool and fun vid! Among TCMA blade enthusiasts, shuang guo (hook swords/tiger hook swords) are considered a high-level/advanced weapon set. Most systems that teach them do so late in the curriculum. While I dig them, I think one of the biggest drawbacks is the logistics of travelling with them safely. In that context, I much prefer sueng dao (dual sabers) as they're built so that it carries like a single sheathed dao; much more practical to travel with. I guess I'm saying I'm more of a Zuko fan. :) Great vid!

@bigguy7353 4 года назад

Very complicated technique is involved to use these correctly. You did fine, Skal, and you did use quite a few techniques, perhaps unknowingly. With many gong fu weapons, a whole set of what is known in japanese as "kata" and "forms" (of which there are so many in multiple disciplines), that getting a cursory knowledge and familiarity with this weapon takes a long, long time. Trust me, I've used it since I was 12. edit- and I'm 39! lol! Cheers from Chicago!

@waitandhope 4 года назад

bravo chicago!!

@jay_idk337 4 года назад

He should get ranton as he knows some techniques of this weapon, and then they could go in depth with Chinese weapons

@bigguy7353 4 года назад

@@jay_idk337 Good suggestion!

@evilwelshman 4 года назад

On the subject of linking the hook swords together, it is indeed an actual technique in Chinese martial arts; from what I've seen. However, in terms of its actual use/application, I suspect it could be for tricking/demonstrations of skill, or - if actually used in real combat - then perhaps as a deterrant so that the opponent backs away. The latter would be useful for people using hook swords as I believe they are typically shorter than regular swords (both, the dao and jian).

@DrBunnyMedicinal 4 года назад

They get a brief showing in the multi-weapon* duel in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (just before the comedy bit with the Sun and Moon Staff). There is a couple of attacks with them linked together and both the on-screen reaction and mine seem to align as 'Gah! Get the hell out of the way!!' If only they'd used a proper width/strength jian, instead of the damn-near foil-thin display version. Alas. (*) Which highlights the problems of fighting someone with a magical weapon when you don't have one. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-DFH6lXJ6c4k.html

@Hudson316 4 года назад

It's one of the attack animations in For Honor as well (yes I know that's not much more than the mortal kombat one, but it suggests there's some basis at least in theatrical fighting)

@seanheath4492 4 года назад

@@Hudson316 Showed up in Deadliest Warrior (Shaolin vs Maori), too.

@joeofalltradeslondon2353 4 года назад

There is practical use for it: it adds reach for a whip-like attack, and since the whole thing is sharp, it won't just bounce off and fall apart. It also allows you to create some breathing room if your opponent is giving you trouble.

@KevinTangYT 4 года назад

@@joeofalltradeslondon2353 think of it as an axe being swung on a chain. Even if it were to fall off, its tangential velocity would be so high it would do a lot of damage. They obviously can't showcase this in slow-mo; you need the speed to hold the "tension" through centripetal acceleration.

@jackcameron5239 4 года назад

As soon as I saw the thumbnail for the video I genuinly said allowed "ooh, jet swords"

@richcotton4974 4 года назад

That's great to see an ad for Shads movie! Thnx for the enjoyable content and for the gestalt

@VulKus117 4 года назад

“Black Dragon or Red Dragon?”

@FireRupee 4 года назад

Red Eyes Black Dragon.

@339Jackscarify 4 года назад

Bad Dragon

@anubispup4760 4 года назад

@@339Jackscarify My personal favorite.

@mauz791 4 года назад

Blue eyes White dragon

@Count.Saruman 4 года назад

Such Joorre know not the intricacies of complexion of the Dov.

@hx5207 4 года назад

The way you using the hook swords are interesting. You can find a good fighting scene with those in ang lee's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. By the way, sinse you try use them reversely, there are a kind of weapon just like that, It is shuang ji(双戟), literal translation double halberd, their famous user is DianWei(典韦) in three kingdom period.

@Rodrik18 4 года назад

The biggest issue with that is the general mysticism that media brings to such sources. While the choreography is quite often beautiful, the actual practicality of many moves shown in martial arts films is generally fairly suspect. There can certainly be legitimately effective forms or strikes in the choreography, but at the end of the day they are making a movie and not actually fighting each other -- they are specifically working *with* each others moves instead of trying to end the fight as quickly and decisively as possible. This is also very prevalent in shaolin depictions, as the temple itself allows misinformation to be displayed as part of its tourism advertising. To be clear, i am not saying that depictions of western martial arts are any better in this regard, just that media wants a *show* more than accuracy.

@theghosthero6173 4 года назад

Dian wei never used double halberd because they were only invented in the song dynasty. The famous crescent design we all know comes from the miniatures in the book romance or the three kingdoms dated to the ming dynasty. In reality he probably used two hand ji, a popular sidearm made or the head of the famous dagger axe used since shang era, with a blade shaped like an L, instead of a crescent.

@rayray6490 4 года назад

Deadliest Warrior for the Shaolin side showed a wushu dude doing linked slash move on a dummy with a functional pair of hook swords. Well it worked, but good luck pulling that off on a live opponent

@johnnylin3084 4 года назад

DianWei likely never used them. Based on some historical depictions of him, he used two maces instead, and had a polearm for when he fights on horsebacks. Shuang Ji also did not exist during the three kingdom period, it was a later adaptation of Short Ji, which some sources say that DianWei had used when he was CaoCao's bodyguard, while not on battlefields. Kind of like how ZhangFei, GuanYu, Lubu never used the weapons that the novels claimed they did (because well, both ZhangFei and GuanYu's weapons according to the novel were not actually invented till Tang Dynasty, and Lubu's weapon didn't appear till Song Dynasty)

@deilusi 4 года назад

"point" thrusty slice and quick comeback with a hook into neck ? That IS brutal. I feel that it have a lot of uses where experienced sword user would not see it coming.

@Styixxx 3 года назад

Dat long distance technique LOL you're a classic Skal, such a funny and awesome bloke.

@amp7778 4 года назад

Varied content in a video is good to see. This made my day. Thanks Skall.

@MalloonTarka 4 года назад

Jet from Avatar: The Last Airbender uses hook swords. Once you've gotten the hang of them you could analyse his use of them.

@EarCat 4 года назад

To be fair a few of his techniques were less than practical

@Wingzero90939 4 года назад

Reily Mendenhall yeah but Zuko’s Dao technique didn’t look too bad or Master Piando’s Jian Technique looked cool

@connorjensen9699 4 года назад

normally looking at a cartoon for advice on martial arts is a terrible idea ... except when the choreography comes from someone like Kisu Stars. Hes the real deal.

@MalloonTarka 4 года назад

@@connorjensen9699 I wouldn't exactly call analysis "advice".

@connorjensen9699 4 года назад

@@MalloonTarka I wouldn't either...?

@omarildojavis 4 года назад

Very good episode! Thanks Skall!

@freeform7012 4 года назад

I wasn't sure about the interpretation, but after he started talking I was hooked.

@maxpetunia8587 2 года назад

Stfu😂

@styrofoam2287 2 года назад

Thanks for the chuckle :)

@Marhathor 4 года назад

Shuang gou, nice. Some of my favourite Chinese weapons :33 As far as I know, everything that isn't the handle or the inside of the crescent (near your fingers) is sharp.

@mintheifsans4398 4 года назад

bruh, not Shuang gao, its Shuang gou which means twin hooks.

@Ake-TL 4 года назад

Marhathor as far as I know it didn’t find much use compared to more traditional weapons

@amp7778 4 года назад

"Even deadlier than normal swords" sign me up!

@nyan2317 4 года назад

@Void and All Encompassing then enlighten our curious minds, please.

@Marhathor 4 года назад

Oops, butchered the spelling on a Chinese martial weapon, killed my whole family...

@ulfberht4431 4 года назад

@5:33 That’s the same move/ execution that the Nuxia from For Honor uses. I do believe that the most trained, martial artist with these swords can make it practical depending on the type of opponent.

@pyrobob5724 4 года назад

It's definitely something you're supposed to do with them, but it takes a lot of technique to make it work.

@NvrchFotia 4 года назад

Pyrobob 5 Her zone too. There may also be something to the reverse grip she uses. I’m sure these were used in all sorts of weird ways.

@hanliu3707 4 года назад

it would just be a short Chinese halberd if reverse grabbed, which is a different weapon.

@janmejaykrishna709 4 года назад

Bro search for it in shadow fight 3

@alkalinemk1588 4 года назад

This was so awesome!! Im an mk player and love this channel so that thumbnail blew my mind lol

@crownlexicon5225 4 года назад

A character named Jet uses them in Avatar the last Airbender. He has hooked them together and swung. Also some other fantasy things, such as using the pommel spikes to climb trees and swing from tree limbs using the hooks

@emrahkaraca1982 4 года назад

The guy sparring in the jeans wears some badass boots.

@williamgreen6814 4 года назад

Opportunity to collab with Swordsage.

@jalalkphilosophy 4 года назад

He's done that b4

@johncrowerdoe5527 4 года назад

Would have to be a remote video collab with a continent between them and the world on lockdown.

@ninjahombrepalito1721 4 года назад

@@johncrowerdoe5527 you mean like Shadiversity and ThegnThrand did a few days ago?

@nightowl_ap 4 года назад

Swordsage can only Jian, i guess

@williamgreen6814 4 года назад

@@ninjahombrepalito1721 pretty much.

@JCLeSinge 3 года назад

Nice footwork in the sparring, you and your friend. Your footwork of course we've before, and it's always light but certain. Nice contrast with your friend, who has a deliberate grounded quality. It stands out the more because of the uncertainty with the hook swords on both sides in attack and defence; the footwork remains sure.

@thelouster5815 3 года назад

It’s nice to see some actual sparring with hook swords. I always hear people discussing technique and theory with them, but never found anyone actually spar with them.

@thedutchwolf97 4 года назад

Hooking them together and increasing the range is actually done in Chinese Wushu, but it's extremely difficult and you'd have to catch the blade by the handle again after the swing.

@vegeta4693214 4 года назад

Skall talking about swords Me a student filmmaker: wow the light is soo nice in that forest

@giggityguy 4 года назад

Weapons with a pronounced hook are always interesting. After your video about the African Mambele, I found some footage of people practicing with it. It looked very cool!

@adriasanchis9998 4 года назад

In 5:30 At first it reminded me of a mobile game I used to play called "Shadow Fight 2", where you could use these swords united, and with a technique of two wrist spins you reached your opponent who was 3 metres away from you (exagerating a little bit, but it was very effective when using it but frustrating while facing it xD). Oh, great video by the way. Since YT recommended your videos I really enjoy your original work.

@Tyme_Whyrlwynd 4 года назад

"You're a freedom fighter."

@toropazzoide 4 года назад

I know it's totally unrelated but watching your sparring companion footwork I noticed... he has AMAZING shoes. Holy shit it's the first time I'm envious about a pair of shoes lol

@beaumcquillin3051 3 года назад

Looks like motorcycle boots. He looks like a closeted gay guy his first time to a gay bar to me

@Budla99 4 года назад

Hooking two of them is basically Asian "end him rightly"

@Xianxin 3 года назад

It's actually interesting how you ended up holding it at 4:46! I guess without knowing it, you've essentially described what is is also known as a "ji" (pronounced like the "Je" is Jesus) a type of Chinese halberd. In the story of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, one of the warlords bodyguard named Dian Wei is to have dual wielded a variant of the "ji" which of course would have needed to be shortened from an actual halberd to make it easier to wield. In Beijing Opera as well, Dianwei is depicted to be wielding 2 of these (as referenced from the book likely)

@JainaSoloB312 Год назад

Oh wow, that's really cool! Thanks for sharing!

@Sotanaht01 6 месяцев назад

Judging from pictures I can find, the part he's holding at 4:46 is probably the only part of the inside edge that ISN'T sharp.

@scottdonohue3379 3 года назад

The Hook Swords are meant to be a very fast and versatile weapon almost exclusively used in tandem. Yes the inside and the outside of the hook is sharpened. Yes the hooks could be linked and used to considerably extend your reach. The main thing is to make the movement very fast to keep the pressure that holds the second blade in place steady. One of the reasons behind its design is that similar to some European tactics, the Chinese often taught to “crowd” someone using a sword so they don’t have the space they need. The crescent blades on the hand guard and the blade at the tail of the weapon are meant to give you additional close quarters options in addition to being useful for parrying/ deflecting. The hooks were used to control limbs as well as opponents weapons, also as with many halberd style weapons from all over the world the hooks could be used to catch armor and cut connecting straps. They are really interesting to learn to use. Chinese martial arts have a gradual build up through different styles of weapons so each new weapon builds off of techniques you’ve learned with others. The lack of a true thrusting tip does make it quite different though so most of the attacks or attacking patterns are designed to be glowing and circular.

@SajSen02 11 месяцев назад

Why they just didn't add a small spike on the top?

@Xerclipse 3 года назад

There are only three types of people: those who come here for the sword education, those who believe there is no war in Ba Sing Se, or those who got the spins and perform fatalities

@maxpetunia8587 2 года назад

Underrated comment

@ShenFa 4 года назад

That was fun, thanks! One thing to play with - older styles often used a single hook sword in conjunction with a shield. And some older styles of hook sword did have a point on the end, above the hook.

@brianjohnson3795 3 года назад

Please note while practicing with the dull metal ones. They can still be dangerous to the practitioner. A black belt while practicing a criss-crossing maneuver in front of him. Accidentally managed to get both wrists with the ends of the spikes. Slicing both. He got himself to the hospital. Where they thought he was suicidal. He had a little trouble convincing them he was just a clumsy black belt. But eventually succeeded.

@camrendavis6650 4 года назад

One theory is they were for civilian use in the Qing Dynasty. Mainly by Qing Dynasty law enforcement to apprehend and contain prisoners, unsharpened. Think of it like large handcuffs

@thisaccountisntreal107 4 года назад

Is it really civilian use if law enforcement uses it on the civilians

@camrendavis6650 4 года назад

@@thisaccountisntreal107 I said was used "mainly" by law enforcement. But this is only a theory

@havokmusicinc 4 года назад

Not too different from the "mancatcher" style polearms of europe and africa in that respect

@mattkennedy9308 4 года назад

That wouldn't be too bad against armed opponents for law enforcement. Be a bit like the jutte from Japan which is basically a baton with a sword hook to stop hostile ronin with katanas

@lgv3051 2 месяца назад

Yes. Not sharpened and used to catch people. Usually by law enforcement and by some bounty hunters

@kevin850406 4 года назад

There's actually a pretty awesome fight scene with this weapon in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

@NikkiTaLance 3 года назад

I agree with your observations entirely. Thrusting is out, but you don't want to stay at long range anyway. Once you are inside a longsword's "ideal" range, it's game over - you win.

@tunedin9001 4 года назад

Love this type of video keep it up 👍 x

@suimeingwong2043 4 года назад

Those are tiger hooked swords. It's a mix of a sword, ax and dagger. Everything on it is sharp except for the grip. A nice technique is scissoring with the blades and letting the hooks tear the limb or neck as you pull back. Unless your invested in learning how to move this weapon it is great for committing suicide. As an example you can easily knock the ends together and drive one of the daggers into your armpit. They would do poorly against heavily armored opponents.

@Lappmogel 4 года назад

From what i've seen everything except heavy pole arms with a thick spike on is bad against armor. But these offer a lot of control potential so that's something at least, you won't be able to penetrate the armor but maybe you can use them to create an opening.

@mondaysinsanity8193 4 года назад

@@Lappmogel one of these and a parrying dagger could feasibly take down a knight in the right hands

@anaknangfilipina5846 4 года назад

It is my opinion that these hook swords will be ineffective against armored opponents if its used head-on. I see a lot of potential use in slipping against the armor and into its vulnerable slits. Don't also forget that having armor means slower responses. Meaning being hooked and manipulated by these swords is even more likely.

@2008davidkang 4 года назад

I would think that there's a lot of points to dig into the openings of the armour, or you can hook the backside of the knee if they weren't wearing a whole set (which some people preferred, a mobility vs protection thing). Plus you can control their weapon with one, then trip/grapple them down with the other, then finish with a murder stroke, which turns it into pretty much an axe, due to having a lot more mass at the hilt than a typical sword. All of these are speculation, of course.

@crustybomb115 4 года назад

from what im aware of theres a technique you use with these where you essentially combine the hooks and swing an extended "axe" where the hooks go together, swing around for extended reach and use the guard as a weapon.... edit: you did the thing, just too slowly. the faster the swing the more stable it is.

@gerbilsmith 4 года назад

On that old show deadliest warrior on the episode of Sholin Monk (sp?) vs Maori warrior they did this attack against a ballistic gel torso. Assuming they didn't do any Hollywood faking they did gash open the gut of the dummy.

@ryjak955 4 года назад

ED-D Smith I’m pretty sure ballistic stuff isn’t made to hold up against blades weapons, but I could be wrong.

@gerbilsmith 4 года назад

@@ryjak955 no it definitely isn't, but it's rubbery & can be tricky to cut depending on concentration. But just the fact he did the move, cut a somewhat resistant target g didn't loose 1 of the swords shows it may possibly work.

@XsallinoX 4 года назад

i have done a fair amount of medium to heavy sparring with protection with these and i found out that they really shine when complementing with the clinch principle in muay thai. i mostly made the same observations you did and i also found out that a different version has a point and a hook instead. i also have been looking for a properly made one but was left on my hunger but for the most part, the more i use them the more i love them and im sure if you get to practice with a proper set of protection and go all in, you'd feel the same way as well!

@ZenDragonYoutubeChannel 4 года назад

If you link them together and swing with greater force they will (for the most part) stay connected, here’s some flashy Kung Fu sparring ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-SERdLudjqv0.html

@PADDLERSOFUSA 4 года назад

the legendary and elusive “Crab Skall”

@GrayXephyr 4 года назад

It’d be really interesting to see Skalla review some of the swordfighting scenes in Avatar: The Last Airbender. Especially Jet vs Zuko and the Sokka’s Master episode.

@derdox6720 4 года назад

why would he do that? he said in this video that he has no idea of how to use these types of weapons. just ask ranton for what you want. i think i remember him saying once, that he didn't technically train the hook swords, but he learned a few moves with them

@GrayXephyr 4 года назад

@@derdox6720 Even if he's unaware of the techniques, it'd still be interesting to see his take on some of the clips. Plus, it might be fun for him to see if the techniques he thought of on his own experimentation cropped up in some other examples of it, although a cartoon isn't super reliable they didn't do anything absolutely out of the question with Jet's fighting style. The Sokka's Master episode isn't even about hook swords.

@Geerladenlad 4 года назад

After watching your video I wouldn't checked out some other Hook sword videos and linking the blades together is a real thing.

@JokermanParkour 4 года назад

Skall, if you've ever seen deadliest warrior they did a small segment with an expert running through the historical applications and mentality behind the weapons. Mentality being key because that is fundamentally different than that of European combat. Love flipping it around for an axe though, never seen that😂

@moonlightwarrior3769 4 года назад

Forgotten weapons seems to be your hidden brother 😂

@whoelsebutmeofcoursei 4 года назад

Yeah! Part of the "Long Hair Weapon Enthusiast" gang! Anton Hand too, there is another one but I don't remember his channel, also Ilya from Man At Arms is probably part of the gang too...

@EVENINGWOLF666 4 года назад

Having fought both with and against this particular weapon I can tell you that there IS a legitimate usage for hooking them together and swinging out with them. With both the crescent blade and the spike on the butt of the weapon sharpened they can do some damage if they connect, but mostly the technique is used either to gain some distance and make an opponent back off, breaking their timing and rhythm if they are pressing an attack, or to reach over a shield (the Chinese did use a Round rattan shield) like a flail and, again with the sharpened crescent guard and butt spear damage was possible. The drawback was that if parried the two weapons could become unhooked and you ran the risk of losing one of them, or the parry could cause the outer weapon to change trajectory and injure the uses as it came around in a more uncontrolled manner. I found that the Three section staff worked well against these. Other than that, after my experiences with these weapons your observations on usage was very much like what I was taught and experiences, although your movement looked more European than Asian (which is to be expected) the concepts were sound and remarkably true to the weapons usage in most aspects. Just one thing, the blades were usually sharpened on both sides (including the hook).

@guilhermemarinho9861 4 года назад

Kabal mains most anticipated video on your channel

@Devin14747 3 года назад

Crazy long distance surprise maneuver 👌

@codybaker1255 4 года назад

5:47, it is an actual technique, it’s kind of like that one quarter staff move, where you wind up, and wildly swing the staff, to (hopefully) catch your opponent off guard as they charge you, and then come around for another strike.

@dice4866 4 года назад

Ugh it is

@jaredflynn3750 4 года назад

You should call your friend who helped out with with the jian video you did, if he has a background on kungfu he's probably more familiar with this weapon, it looks to me like it would be rather handy at controlling an enemies shield opening them up for an attack with the other hook blade

@firestorm165 4 года назад

History nerd here: can confirm that was exactly how they were used

@jaredflynn3750 4 года назад

@@firestorm165 also if I'm not mistaken I think they have a type of fighting knife in kung fu that has a similar Crescent guard for binding enemy weapons I forget what it's called though

@lodsup 4 года назад

@@jaredflynn3750 deer antlers / deer horn knife ?

@havokmusicinc 4 года назад

@@jaredflynn3750 sai/trisula/jitte? sai is okinawan, trisula is indian, jitte is japanese; but it sounds like thats what you're describing, and i believe the chinese had an equivalent

@pierrewilliam7119 4 года назад

@@firestorm165 I love these weapons. Do you know if they were more used in a civilian or military context? (I'm not sure they would be extremely effective against armor)

@connorjensen9699 4 года назад

4:05 many hooks I have seen have a point on the end. So the tip of the hooksword is similar to one half of a fleur de lis. As a result, stabbing is absolutely on the table. honestly I think the only reason they weren't more widespread back in the day is how insanely difficult they must be to blacksmith, and for their reputation of having a steep learning curve (at least compared to a spear where you can kick ass the same day your first pick one up). As a result of the learning curve, I love that you went in blind - really fun. I do wish you had consulted someone with hooksword experience at the end of the video, especially since this may be some people's introduction to the weapon.

@ranwolf76 4 года назад

I'm seeing Skall's footwork and the song from Only the Strong (Mark Dacascos's Capoeira movie) pops into my head

@voyegerkane2301 4 года назад

Tell me you guys remember Jet from avatar

@bobpobcf9723 3 года назад

Only reason I’m watching this tbh

@slowlypassingaway1285 4 года назад

"got the spin?"'

@rysonperry8069 4 года назад

Easy remedy for the thrusting issue, some ancient models had an occasional 2 to 3 inch spike on the tip. The usual style of fencing doesn't really mesh with this type of weaponry. You have to have a brawler's or commander's mindset in order to use them well. Great job on the testing. Jeep up the good work.

@Hazmatt20XX 3 года назад

An old discovery channel show called Deadliest Warrior, one episode was a shaolin monk vs Maori warrior. And if I remember correctly the hook blade is a part of the monk's arsenal and they do some in depth discussion on them with an actual monk

@RymeofDawn 4 года назад

You can look at For Honor for moves. A Chinese faction character uses it and it's really fun

@bytezero3818 4 года назад

Lol no

@ulfberht4431 4 года назад

Flo One Lol yes

@havokmusicinc 4 года назад

For Honor is around 50/50 with the practicality and reality of the moves its characters use. Some are very practical and historical/accurate, but many are unrealistic and flashy/fantastic.

@RymeofDawn 4 года назад

@@Frosterino The moves the Nuxia does for the most part are realistic. Her pokes and how she connects the hooks and swings them around are actually historically accurate. You can see people in the Shaolin temple doing those moves. I'm not saying use the game as the bible but just for possible references

@TheCherryTrader 4 года назад

I think it would be better to look at the references the For Honor team used

@handlebarfox2366 4 года назад

those handles look like they're of Klingon make

@sleepy_Dragon 4 года назад

The creator of the bat'let was indeed inspired by these and similar Chinese martial arts weapons.

@satannstuff 4 года назад

@@sleepy_Dragon If only he'd stopped there, he might have accidentally designed a useful weapon.

@Cyclonus5 4 года назад

@@satannstuff He did. Like the hook swords you need to have some decent knowledge of how to change ranges but there is a relatively steep learning curve. Kinda like learning how to use a pole arm, a long sword and a dagger all at once.

@kelvinnguyen6048 Год назад

Wonderful analysis

@jonathanryals9934 4 года назад

Hey Skall, I have an idea for a vid I'd like to see you do... Examine the forensic evidence of Richard III's battle injuries and give a breakdown of the order and manner which they were delivered. I think your take on how it could have transpired would be epic.

@stnrvr 4 года назад

you had some good ideas and perception while what you were questionable about was simply not having access to the training that would normally go with the weapon. good job. also holding it backward just makes it a single sided halberd.

@kbite4play46 4 года назад

Look for Nuxia from "For Honor" game, she uses that weapon.

@DeathMessenger1988 4 года назад

If you think about it, they're basically real-life Keyblades and Scythe Swords. By the way, Skall doing a Kabal cosplay would be really badass!

@spider-hamnoir7311 3 года назад

These are honestly one of my favorite weapons, they're just so unique

@silverarrow5507 4 года назад

Hey Skallagrim, in For Honor game there is hero meant to be like a emperor’s guard or something. The handling of the weapons looks pretty cool maybe you should check it out. The hero name is Nuxia.

@silverarrow5507 4 года назад

Check the executions of her too

@Freytraz 4 года назад

When fighting against long swords, just go full Avatar (not the blue one) and start swinging your sword-chakus at the opponent... I mean, at least you die with style, I am right?