Chinese Sword Styles

pawsplay · 07-04-2008, 08:43 PM

As Dr. Kromm notes, rapier is derived from earlier civilian styles, which implies about three centuries of one-handed broadsword use preceeding it. The longsword was often used without a shield and sometimes by unarmored warriors; while many of the surviving texts emphasize two-handed use, the weapon also has a single-handed use. Tai Chi Chuan incorporates a jian style which is obviously descended from a one-handed fighting style.

In general, it's not valuable to have a free hand, but if you favor the broadsword and don't fancy lugging around a lot of equipment, or anticipate fighting shipboard, and a variety of other circumstances, it makes sense.

Yes, shields are cheap. They are also easily destroyed. Many sword and shield battles devolve into single sword or sword and fist-in-boss. Some well-armored crusaders carried just a longsword, incorporating a lot of wrestling moves rather than trying to batter heavy armor with larger weapons. Probably more used a secondary weapon, but not everyone in every situation finds that an advantageous style.

07-04-2008, 08:43 PM	#21
pawsplay Join Date: Sep 2007	Re: Chinese Sword Styles As Dr. Kromm notes, rapier is derived from earlier civilian styles, which implies about three centuries of one-handed broadsword use preceeding it. The longsword was often used without a shield and sometimes by unarmored warriors; while many of the surviving texts emphasize two-handed use, the weapon also has a single-handed use. Tai Chi Chuan incorporates a jian style which is obviously descended from a one-handed fighting style. In general, it's not valuable to have a free hand, but if you favor the broadsword and don't fancy lugging around a lot of equipment, or anticipate fighting shipboard, and a variety of other circumstances, it makes sense. Yes, shields are cheap. They are also easily destroyed. Many sword and shield battles devolve into single sword or sword and fist-in-boss. Some well-armored crusaders carried just a longsword, incorporating a lot of wrestling moves rather than trying to batter heavy armor with larger weapons. Probably more used a secondary weapon, but not everyone in every situation finds that an advantageous style.