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Product Reviews (3rd Party)

Review – Sifu Fernandez – WingTchunDo Dynamic Pak Sao Drills

WCI Review - Fernandez - Pak Sao

Speed kills! That’s the concept that Sifu Fernandez presents to us as part of his Dynamic Pak Sao Drills DVD and the pace in which it is presented.

The DVD begins with a montage blast of varying Pak Sao drills and applications to offer a mere glimpse into his two partner drills, system, and what’s in store for the viewer over the next 68 minutes. Now that you have an idea of the content, Sifu Fernandez is ready to go and off to the races. There is no time wasted with a tutorial, but straight into the first foundation building Pak Sao Drill to give the viewer an idea of the mechanics and practice behind making his system work efficiently for you.

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Product Reviews (3rd Party)

Review – Wong Shun Leung – 1996 VTAA Seminar – Sil Lum Tao

WCI Review - WSL03

Have you ever missed that magical class and training session? Now, imagine that special class was caught on tape. That’s the case with this recording from back in 1996 with the late Sifu Wong Shun Leung and his students at the Ving Tsun Athletic Association in Hong Kong. Sifu Wong delivers a special moment where he covers the fundamental concepts of the Sil Lum Tao with passion in his native Cantonese language, kindly translated to English by a young Philip Ng. The tone for the impromptu seminar is how to be able to use your Ving Tsun in its highest application—“combat skill.” Getting the boxing mindset into one’s practice of the system from one of Ip Man’s most celebrated fighters. 

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Butterfly Swords

Choosing Wing Chun Butterfly Swords – Part 8 – Considerations

Grinding a 440C Blade

We will now take a look at other considerations: Quality, Forge, Materials, Techniques, Fit, Finish, Balance, Design, and Service. There are all things that can make a big difference in your final product. Let’s take a closer look.

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Butterfly Swords

Choosing Wing Chun Butterfly Swords – Part 7 – Balance

sword balance

We will now take a look at the balance of the swords. This is something that is critical to get right and is determined by how you will use the sword (chopping, stabbing, flipping, etc). Let’s look into the details of balancing a sword.

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Butterfly Swords

Choosing Wing Chun Butterfly Swords – Part 6 – D-Guards

We will now take a look at the D-Guard (and its components the Quillon and Knuckle-Bow). This is what will allow you to trap weapons, flip your sword, protect your hand, and help you block incoming blows. For the most part the D-Guard is what makes a butterfly sword a butterfly sword. Let’s take a closer look.

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Butterfly Swords

Choosing Wing Chun Butterfly Swords – Part 5 – Tangs/Handles

Integral Knives. Photo by Sifu Wayne Belonoha.
Integral Knives. Photo by Sifu Wayne Belonoha.

We will now take a look at Tangs, Handle Types, Alignment, Ergonomics, and Handle Materials. These are critical aspects of a sword. The tang can literally be the difference between life and death if you are using the sword for combat – or even training with contact. The handle types and ergonomics can really make a difference in your comfort and power. Let’s learn more.

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Categories
Butterfly Swords

Choosing Wing Chun Butterfly Swords – Part 4 – Blade Finishes

EWC Choppers in 440C with Glossy Finish
EWC Choppers in 440C with Glossy Finish

We will now take a look at the finishes and coatings of a sword blade. There are a number of different finishes that can be used or put on a blade:  mirror finish, glossy finish, satin finish, bead blast finish, and various methods of bluing and coatings.  Top custom knife maker Jay Fisher writes “Most makers simply don’t have the patience to execute a fine finish.  Factories and manufacturers never properly finish a blade or metal fittings and components of the knife, ever.” Let’s learn more about the types of finishes for BJD.

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