We will now take a look at the fine details of a sword blade design: Blade Sharpness, Edge, Grind, Taper, Ricasso, Choil, & Fullers. Most of these important details really separate mass-produced swords from real weapons. Let’s take a closer look at them and how they affect you.
We will now take a look at the sword blade steels, and how they differ. It is very important to get a steel that meets your needs. For example, if you want a display sword, then a steel that rusts is not ideal – you want something low maintenance. Likewise, if you want a combat sword and can take the time to oil it properly, then you want something that is very tough and can spring back into shape. It is time to learn more about the correct steel for your needs.
We will now take a look at the sword blade length, and how it applies to your style. The correct blade length is determined by the style of martial art (Wing Chun, Hung Gar, etc), your lineage within that style (especially within Wing Chun), how you execute certain inside sweeping movements, if you flip the swords and block on the forearm, and your forearm length. Let's learn more about blade length.
We will now take a look at the sword blade, starting with the cutting slope and the shape of the blade. These are very important because they dictate what you can effectively do with the sword (i.e. stab, chop, slice, block, etc). You should use a blade shape that will allow for the full range of techniques that your lineage teaches and helps facilitate the most important movements.
Many Chinese martial arts use “Butterfly Swords,” but they are the jewel of the Wing Chun system. Practitioners who reach their level of study are expected to practice intensely, thoughtfully and achieve an understanding that recursively improves their empty hand abilities.
For one reason or an other I managed to speak to a handful of Gary Lam students recently. One of his students, Sifu Greg LeBlanc, completed the system under Gary Lam and I decided to ask him a few questions about Chum Kiu.
Lets see what he had to say:
As an avid Wing Chun practitioner, I like to see what other Ip Man students have to offer and to demonstrate. I decided to pick up one of Moy Yat’s videos today. From what I understand, Moy Yat is one of Ip Man’s top students and an internationally recognized Wing Chun practitioner. He passed away years ago but his videos still exists globally for all Wing Chun practitioners.