public marks

PUBLIC MARKS from Takwann with tags sword & katana

December 2010

Samurai Katana Sword: Katana Blade Structure

To create an excellent cold weapon, a swordsmith is to achieve two goals: the blade must be sharp but, simultaneously, it should not be brittle. However, these two ends contradict each other. The higher is the carbon content of the steel, the sharper is the sword that is produced from it, but high carbon content also makes the blade fragile. Using ductile steel allows to achieve durability, but the swords made from soft, malleable steel grow blunt very soon.

July 2010

May 2010

YouTube - Shaolin Sword Techniques vs. Japanese Katana

Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit demonstrating some of the secrets of the Shaolin Sword (Jian). All of the exchanges are impromptu. The Shaolin Sword is an amazing weapon. It is light, and can be easily broken if clashed directly with heavier weapons. Nevertheless, it was the choice weapon of many masters in the past because in the hands of a skillful swordsman, the techniques can be amazing. The Shaolin Sword is quite different from swords of other martial cultures, like the Samurai sword or the Western sword. Some kung fu practitioners, however, use a Jian as if it were a Samurai sword, a Western sword, or a kung fu saber (Dao). This is incorrect. This video shows some of the secret applications of the Shaolin Sword. These sword techniques were kept as top secrets in the past. Hence, many kung fu practitioners today who have learned sword sets do not know the combat applications of the sword. One of the tactics of the Shaolin Sword is to attack the wrist and hand of the opponent, thereby disarming him. This tactic is shown in the video.