Sword Banter: The Chinese Jian and Comparison to the Rapier 

If you're interested I've added some more stuff to my list of moving sales, as I keep organizing and deciding what I don't absolutely need to haul along. docs.google.com/document/d/1tjRZ8oPmYTN9zjZVQecHjh8GezMYni2_5tvucE0f2as

It's not a hand guard. It's a Han guard. ....I'll see myself out.

THIS is what I find interesting at the moment. Comparisons of different techniques and designs. Not the which was better but the WHY the swords were made the way they were.

The gentleman with the Han sword is absolutely correct. Chinese martial weapons are generally designed with hip and leg driven power in mind. Chinese martial arts train to fight from the legs and hips.

chinese swords and polearms are seriously underrated in comparison to stuff like katanas

Correct me if I'm wrong but It really shows that you two had fun making this video. It felt natural, good chemistry, it basically was just a joy to watch! Hope I'm right :)

that Swordsage channel would make fine addition to my collection

Chinese people: we need a bigger sword Blacksmith: say no more fam *comes out with a scaled up version of the same sword

"What's that?" "A sword?" That earned my most sincere like

Nice to see Swordsage being in the spotlight and with good production values,he is really one of the missing link in the historical weapons and martial arts group of youtube,that could really use some popularity. Other than him i can only say Da'Mon Stith.

Skall: What a tiny guard, don't you want to keep your hands? Skall's gladius: AM I A JOKE TO YOU?!

As a Chinese，I have to say that the name "剑Jian" once represented the Chinese wood stick，which can imitate any weapon in daily training. A great general from Ming Dynasty, Yu Dayou, wrote a book to record the using method of stick just named 《剑经注解 Jian Jing Zhu Jie》,which means The analysis of using Jian. Then General Yu trained the elite infantry using stick by the book first，but switched the stick to MiaoDao for infantry using in battlefield of expelling Japanese pirates. And Ming army successfully beats the ronin army，who used katana. Later，the real Jian using method was reserved in Chinese army，and the stick method was teached to the monk in Shaolin Temple by General Yu. As we can see，one of the advantage of real Chinese martial art is using weapon flexibly. In the other words，Chinese can refer to using weapon from other weapon，not just train the conservative weapon method to acme. I recommend the movie 倭寇的踪迹“The Sword Identity”，which could have poor special effect，but contains the philosophy of Chinese martial art. Forgive my poor English.

Having trained extensively with both weapons, the whole point of the difference in point of rotation is the fact that the rapier is designed specifically to run your opponent's blade onto the hilt for control, whereas the jain style is designed to keep the opponent's blade away from your hilt. Size of the opponent's blade is largely irrelevant. With proper technique, I can displace a Scottish broadsword with a smallsword. I do love watching Swordsage move with a sword. Anything he picks up becomes a part of him. I also must say that I always appreciate Skall's open minded approach to everything. Very cool all around, guys.

Bruh that beginning xD “do you like your hands?”

For a second there I was like Jheeze Skalls got a mad tan

and thus a graphic novel was created where these two gentlemen fight side by side and getting into crazy antics, usually trying to out compete each other in a friendly way

Martial artist: You protect your hands by using technique HEMA longsworder: baffled look

Less than 1 min in hes already making fun of his tiny Guard

Am I in another alternate universe where Nordic skallagrim turned into Jamaican skallmon

Fantastic illustrative video. I would like to share somemore, during ancient times of China, there was a saying like a consensus of bladed fighting. “砍伤刺死” it could be translated directly as "Cut injures, thrust kills". Jian(剑，swords) was more purpose-built toward thrust and was relatively thinner and lighter. Dao(刀, cutlass) was more purposed as cutting weapon. Chinese Jian became more ceremonial during time while Dao assert dominance in military battlefield. During Han Dynasty, there was a metallurgy technology advantage over its main enemy Huns. Weapons made of primitive steel was much better than Huns' weaponry. That is why a sword such thin and light existed. Even though Jian were replaced by HuanDao(single edged straight cutlass with ring pummel, heavier and more heavy duty) in military field during Han Dynasity.

Omg you two are awesome to watch together! I've adored how humble and fun Skal is for ages but Sage too? This really is a delight to watch. I hope more people take on your attitudes towards weapons and history.

A surprise collab to be sure, but a welcome one!

Marve: Infinity War is the most ambitious crossover event in history... Skallagrim: Hold my sword.

He is scarily fast with that blade lol

Swordsage is among the very few RU-vidrs who can discuss the design of Chinese swords in the historical and martial art context, bonus the technical aspects that we are familiar with in HEMA like blade profile, guard design, grip style etc. Makes you understand why the sword is designed like this and the technique is supposed to be like that. Such an under-researched area, Chinese weapons.

Wow as an ethnic Chinese I've always been fascinated with Chinese weaponry, espcially Jian and Dao which I feel aren't as popular as their Western counterparts, glad you made this video

More chinese sword content pls! Also a duel between the two of you!

Practicing with those Chinese long swords is awesome. The movements are so powerful, but still surprisingly agile. Nice collaboration, thank you :)

This is such an awesome video. I love this collab. You guys come from different martial backgrounds but it's so interesting seeing a discussion and collaboration that isn't based on what is stronger or better, but more of a discussion on technique and usage. I LOVE IT.

As an Italian, I approve of your pronunciation, Skall

"We'll leave it at that for now." NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! I could listen to you pair rack on about swords and technique all day. Thanks for the vid dudes!

Thank you so much for the detailed comparison, made me love the Jian and know how to utilize it better! Great content!

This is a fascinating video. Thanks to both of you for presenting it. Its always great to see people getting together like this and doubling down on the expertise so we learn more.

Thats not a Noife THIS IS A NOIFE

This might be one the best videos you've done, and I mean that sincerely. I learned a ton in just under 20 mins

I love this video, mostly because it feels like you two really have fun discussing this stuff, and the back and forth is really fluid.

The Canadians finally decided to let SwordSage into CANADA with Skallagrim!

When I wake up today, I never imagine I'd be seeing a viking and a rasta speaking about chinese sword

Honestly is there anything better then seeing two experts with good chemistry working off each other flawlessly to disect their passions. Adored the energy coming off this video

That longsword immediately made me think of the *Japanese Katana* variants: • The *_Nodachi_* & • The *_Nagamaki._* The *_Nodachi_* was perhaps the most similar with an extended blade length & much longer handle ( _Tsuka_ ), and would have been used on the battlefield in a powerful two handed - making it exceedingly difficult to block, or parry,. There are stories of *Samurai* cutting armored enemies in half with a single swing of the *_Nodachi._* The *_Nagamaki_* however, was more a pole arm that was dressed as a sword. While the blade was the standard size for a sword, the handle was of equal length & was wrapped like a *_Katana_* , making it pretty odd looking, neither fish, nor fowl. Despite it's unusal appearance, it was apparently a highly effective anti-cavalry weapon. ~ ~ ~ Completely off topic, but if either of you decide to discuss Pole Arms, as well as swords, I seriously love the similar *Chinese* weapons the *Pudao* & *Kwan Dao.* The *Pudao* is basically a curved, single-edged *Chinese Scimitar* ( *_Dao_* ) on a 4 foot pole, with ring-shaped counterweight. The extremely cool *Kwan Dao* ( _also _*_Guan Dao_* ) has a longer, thicker pole, with a shorter, heavier, more axe-like blade, often with a wavy, spikey back ( _presumably to catch/break an opponent's weapon_ ). There's either a heavy bronze ball, or ball & steel spike, as counterweight. Neither being light weapons ( _The Kwan Dao could weight as much as 10Kg!_ ), I've no idea how effective they were on a real battlefield, but I've been in love with the flashy *Kwan Dao* since I first saw one in the *70s* tv show *_Monkey_* ( _& was fascinated to find out it was a real thing_ ).

Im sorry Skall, but those chinese swords looks very awesome...

That last one looks like someone took a spear and reversed the handle-to-blade ratio. I love it. And by that I mean it doesn't just look like a sword. Rather it looks like a weird spear, and to hear the techniques are polearm-like is great.

So awesome seeing Swordsage and you hanging out! Love all your vids, Skall!

I'm quite impressed at the way that swordsage is able to talk normally whilst making those quite flamboyant movements. You can hear the exertion in Skallagrim's voice when he tries to do that, and I definitely sound the same when I try to demonstrate martial forms to my friends.

The main issue with the Chinese Jian is the lack of pommel, therefore, it's impossible to end the opponent rightly. Case closed.

A black man who knows kung fu swordsmanship? Why does that sound like an awesome trope I've heard or seen in a movie before?

Very cool. Love how you respect each other’s choices of swords.

More Sword Banter videos ft. Swordsage please!! I would totally listen to you two talk about swords for hours lol.

Just subbed to swordsage, it’s cool of you Skall to help promote a smaller channel. I hadn’t heard of him until now.

I have been waiting so long for you to talk about the Jian, thank you for that. Could you compare chinese armor to European armor.

Always love to see more information on the real life use of blades from different times and cultures. Thank you two.

This is one of the best videos that i keep on coming back to watch again and again

Love Swordsage. So glad to see him and Skall together.

as an italian it's very weird listening Skallagrim pronounce "spada da lato", but damn I'm proud of you trying XD

Thank you for introducing me to @swordsage . I haven't checked out his channel before but I am really enjoying his videos. Very knowledgeable and interesting!

I've been waiting for this collab video since SwordSage's attempted move. Excellent content, hoping for more before the move.

Amazing chemistry between you two. Bromance? Edit: I searched "Swordsage" and subscribed because of this collab.

Jian was mostly peacetime self-defense weapon. It's lightweight and easily carried around. So you see a lot of Jian was variably decorated since it's part of a person's attire. It's highly effective against unarmored foe. But for wartime, the Chinese usually carry a heavier Dao. The Dao has enough weight to cut through a typical Chinese armor. But it's too big and heavy to be carried around in peacetime.

Awesome video!! Thank for introducing him!

Great video! I'm very glad to see Swordsage back!

This is my favorite duo to see and really makes me interested in Chinese sword arts. Especially since the trainers and swords are not only made to be historically accurate but they're so affordable compared to European swords despite their niche market!

I hardly leave any comment on your channel but this episode was very cool! Loved the special guest, the notions about eastern swords and the discussions between you two. 10/10 It has a little something for everybody - IGN

This video was absolutely addictive. Thank you, you two!

Really cool video! Hope to see some more!!

Very cool vid Skall! You should do more on Chinese weaponry (perhaps polearms such as the Guan Dao?) and do some more collaborations!

Hey Skall great vids, I just want to say thank you for educating me in How to end my foes rightly.

This was a Fantastic episode mate! Thank you very much!

Man this was a really cool video to watch. Love seeing the difference and exploration of different swords

What, you saying Chinese actually make legit weapon not just flimsy movie prop? That's illegal!!!

If the first jian that we saw is a Han dynasty design, that would make it roughly contemporaneous with Rome at the peak of it's power. The hand guard of a Roman gladius appears to similar size or smaller. Even a viking sword from nearly a millennium later doesn't have a significantly larger guard. Interestingly, each of these swords was used primarily one-handed with a shield.

Loved this video. Awesome that y'all finally got a real collab video.

Very good video. When he showed the disengagement with the Jian and how a different center of gravity affected his technique, that was enlightening.

From LK Chen - A tribute to Skallagrim and Swordsage The strike across 2000 years - 穿越二千年的击刺 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-cCXAwi0CGos.html

Yeah! My country's dao & jian are getting their well deserved attention!

Skull coming in with his analysis and then the expert is great I love it! Y'all did great on this video!!!!

The discussion on blade movement was really interesting. Thanks!

Great stuff. Interesting to hear about Chinese swords and swordsmanship.

Sometimes culture has more influence than functionality. Everything is a trade off.

That cut at the end... looked like and SOUNDED like it passed through that mat like it was AIR. Also, excellent video. You two together really have chemistry! Glad to see it again!

Great video. Thanks for introducing a new channel to us.

I actually really like that last sword. Maybe it's more of the equivalent to great sword/claymore (chinese)?

I would love to see swordsage partake in some Hema practice. His technique and sword styles against some sabre and long sword technique and equipment. The compare and contrast would be very interesting indeed!

Awesome content skall. Your channel really shines above the rest

This video was amazing. I'm a huge fan of this. I like these comparisons and different thoughts on how one could use differing techniques to achieve similar goals.

Chinese history is so underrated, and the Han dynasty is my fav

Cool to learn so much about Chinese swords and see the comparisons. Great video! Are there groups out there sparring with Chinese swords with a similar intensity that we do in hema?

Excellent video guys! Great work!

This is one of your best videos! So much knowledge and information

Compare the guard of the jian to other swords used in conjunction with shields: the viking sword, the gladius, the kopis.

This Swordsage man seems interesting! Which means he's a threat. Challenge him to a duel and dispatch him.

awesome collaboration !

Great collaboration. Now I have another sword channel to view. Thank you, both.

Chinese swords are typically one handed Jain is always double edged, and focus on speed techniques flexibility and such

Fascinating! Realize I know very little about Chinese swords.

I loved the collaboration, great video gentlemen!

Glorious to see you two together finally!!!

The german sword from that manual looks more like early spanish rapiers, i think in english theres an obsession to categorize everything into one specific item, the ropera/rapier was simply a dress sword with no specific lenght in mind and it changed a bit from its initial designs in the mid 1400's to almost late 1600's but the thing always remained as a civilian sword thats mainly for thrusting(getting around the layers of clothing) and landing cuts with the tip. Its very interesting to see some jian techniques or movements look similar to spanish fencing

So, interesting question. Did they develop the weapon for the technique or adapt the technique for the weapon? This really opens a lot of fascinating fantasy combinations of techniques and weapons. Bravo, you two, amazing video!

Loved this video and the effort! Both off you thank you very much :)

Awesome collaboration!