Daan Do

[Chunyat]

These are my sabers:



They are Willow Leaf Sabers as used in Southern China before, and also as Lam Sai Wing had in the army.

The balance is less than the modern Ox Tail Sabers; one can't do flashy movements with them. They are rather for simple cuts and strikes as in Lam Sai Wing's Commander Sword.

I suspect that with the more flashy forms from Northern styles, such as Pek Gwa Dan Dou, the Ox Tail Saber was used more.
I also think that in mass production the blade of the Ox Tail was easier to produce regarding balance.

Side note: the term Willof Leaf is often also used for what others call the Ox Tail Saber.

[vaulander]

Now THOSE look like business. I have watched a lot of those flimsy saber clips, and it looks like tinfoil. But then again, a lot of today's martial arts are all about the flash and impressing the judges, so I guess a featherlight shiny blade works better than a heavy combat worthy weapon. I mean no disrespect here, the amount of training and dedication that these people put into it is inhuman. They could probably eat me for breakfast and ask for more, just like the rest of you, hehe.
V.

[vtml]

Very nice sabers, how much did they cost if you don't mind me asking ?

[TenTigers]

I can't stand those tin-foil swords.
As I always say, "You use that thing to wrap a sandwich with, not to fight!"
Although I don't much care for training with those sharp, combat steel weapons either. One, if you slip, you're going to open up a gash, and two-what do you need them for? It's not like you're going to carry it around with you.
But for collectors, and hobbyists, they're cool.
I prefer something with some heft, but not cumbersome.
Awhile back at a tournament, I saw this really nice dahn-dao. Good feel, great balance, and a nice stainless steel blade, and an unfinished handle-which is great if your hand sweats.
After about a week playing with it, I happened to notice that the blade was sharpened. For some reason, I hadn't noticed it before-most of these swords don't have sharpened blades. I will probably take a file to it, to break the edge. I really have no use for a razor-sharp sword.
(although it's kinda cool..._

[Chunyat]

[quote]Very nice sabers, how much did they cost if you don't mind me asking ? [/quote]

Both are under 100 us dollar (yeah, I'm not going to buy the expansive hanwei ones - I wouldn't dare using them for training and damage them, and then it's just ashame of the money).
Lower one in my picture is not sharp, but the training version is not available anymore.
They are from kriscutlery.com (Qing Dao)

[quote]Although I don't much care for training with those sharp, combat steel weapons either.[/quote]

Well, I don't mind sharp or not - that is, when I'm training on my own and have control already. But I always start with safer weapons, till I get the hang of it - more or less.
For practising in groups/classes I prefer wooden sabres/swords, as not everybody has the best control or in case there's someone distracted and hits someone else.

A good thing of the combat steel versions is that those are always heavier (work-out aspect) and have lesser balance. Plus the fitting doesn't get loose after one month intensive training.
Even though, I won't walk with such a saber outside, the techniques can be used with other items (like an umbrella) and they might be heavier and out of balance too. So I think heaviers sabres are more realistic.

But, well, as soon as it comes to performing the set, I'll go for a thin (but non flexible) lighter sabre, e.g. the Long Quan style.

Mm, that makes me think: we need a "Weapons review" section or topic.