Purchasing Butterfly Knives

[Itinerant_Phenomenologist]

I was wondering if anyone could vouch for the quality of the butterfly knives sold on Master Wing Lam's website:

I'm a poor law student so I'm not really looking at the extravagant one's toward the bottom, nor am I considering the plastic one at the very beginning. Was just wondering if anyone had an opinion as to the value of the purchase, the durability for practice (none contact), and if there are suggestions regarding other sources for purchase etc.

Thank you very much.

[vaulander]

Well, I got the second pair (W040WS) and they worked fine for me. Good solid construction, but they are not sharp, so perfect for practicing against a staff without cutting it up.

[Daifong]

I.P.,

Wing Lam has made great knives ever since he's advertised their public availability. I think it's been like, over 20 years...

My classmates, students, and I collectively have purchased several dozen sets. The materials and workmanship are excellent, in that alone they are several grades above much of what is "passable" on the market...

Out of all those knives, only one set had something faulty with the handle and the blade. I called the number for the WLE shipping staff, and immediately offered a replacement set, which I picked up in person (as I live a 45 minute drive away)...

Otherwise, in terms of balance, the precision is superb. Obviously crafted by an actual practitioner, with fellow practitioners in mind, these knives are centered with a slight "weight-forward" emphasis. When in motion, Wing lam's knives maneuver and feel as if you're using just your very own hands, falling cleanly and solidly into position at the focal point...

The hooks are spaced in such a manner as to allow full rotation on your Fu Hau/ "Tiger's Mouth" (among many other user-friendly features)...

Durably constructed, they are quite suitable for partner or solo practice. In Weapons Chaak, let's just say that you will go through many, many spears, before you're going to need to get yourself a set of replacement Wing Lam knives...

The only caveat I would offer, if you're taking them to Hong Kong, just keep in mind that they are "weapons grade". Manufactured of quality steel, right off the line the edge is dull, but the point will actually be quite sharp. Bottom line, it will most likely be considered as a "weapon", and not just another "martial instrument"...

Act as nerdy and accountable as you possibly can, and explain they're for performances (as a non-citizen, they might just give you a "pass" with it, lol)...

If this ever becomes a matter of pressing concern, it is actually possible to purchase "martial instruments" at Hong Kong music stores, along with flutes, drums, guitars, masks, costumes, and other such authentic, safe, performance gear...

Just do yourself a favor, no need to get the plastic ones this time, but if "it's a shoddy craftsman who blames his tools", it is because a skilled craftsman wouldn't be caught with shoddy ones in the first place!



Best,

Michael

[Itinerant_Phenomenologist]

Thank you for the input. I never had a pair myself as my uncle never taught me the Ji Mou Seung Do form. However I have recently found a person who is willing to teach me the form, and I have a friend who wants to teach me the Wing Chun Baat Jaam Dou form so I've taken an interest in purchasing a pair in order to practice in my spare time. I figured given my limited apartment space, since I can't really practice fully the Ng Long Baat Gwa Gwun, I should maintain some sort of weapon practice that is part of the HK Hung Gar tradition.

I am actually leaning toward either:



or



The former because it is the "heaviest" of the 'affordable' sets, and the latter because it has a case and the weight isn't too different form the former.

Again, much obliged for the inputs and I'll mull it over a bit more before making a purchase.

[TenTigers]

[Itinerant_Phenomenologist]

[Fan Kwoen]

[Daifong]

[PM]

http://www.wle.com/products/w450.html are the knives i have (well, Daifong was the one who brought me to my country), and they are very good. of course, this design is for wu dip seung dou, not for daai hang yut seung dou

i have a very nice antique knife i have bought in Fatsaan, and the shape fits my hand and technique 100%. as i do not practice wu dip seung dou very often (being fan of the other set), i did not ask somebody to make me nice pair of the knives following the design of the old knife, otherwise i certainly would

[Itinerant_Phenomenologist]

I was actually considering the set suggested by Daifong. However, this is a leisure purchase and I have more pressing things to buy (such as a new lap top to last me my next few years of studies). That being the case, I opted for because it seems functional enough to merit simple practice, and sturdy enough to not fall apart on me should it accidentally make impact with some other sturdy object. In the future I obviously will make a decent purchase if for no other reason than to own a semi-functional, nice feeling pair. But as I said, I don't plan on running around fighting crime and injustice with this pair. So I'll settle for the functional/practice pair and get myself a laptop that won't fritz out on me.

Much obliged for the info and input. In all seriousness, I've shied away from purchasing bladed weapons for many years (don't even have a knife or a sword) because I had a bad experience as a young child while practicing with a live gim. I favour the staff forever and always now but I feel that I should maintain a level of proficiency with the rest of the stuff.

Consequently, and I know this is making it sound like a marketplace, but any suggestions for straight swords? I have lots of wushu friends but their swords, for lack of better words, feel like they would tear apart from a healthy sneeze.

[PM]

as for quality vs. price, those you have chosen are not any good, trust me, i have a pair as well, bought much cheaper in HK. i personally sugest wait a bit, save more, and buy something better (and those knives me and Daifong have suggested are very good for the price you pay for them)... or else

[Itinerant_Phenomenologist]

Hah. Very well then. As a true enthusiast and practitioner, as well as some blame on the fact that it's 3am where I live (California), I have canceled the prior order and purchased the pair suggested by Daifong and PM. I'll just tighten the belt a bit (I need to lose the holiday weight, so I suppose it's alright for now).

Much obliged for the informations people.

[PM]

ha ha, blame on me good choice brother, Wing Lam sifu's stuff is much, MUCH better than that cheap piece of metal. i hope you will be satisfied, brother. all the best in your training!

[Daifong]

[Itinerant_Phenomenologist]