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The movie had a major "historical" flaw, and that is the type of sword that was used. The Chinese straight sword had been out of use by warriors since the Han dynasty. It's role became ceremonial as they were worn by scholars, officials, and other men of high position. Up until the collapse of the Qing (Ching) Dynasty, warriors used the Chinese Broadsword, which was easier to master and required less effort to use.

My choice would be a Pole Blade. Specifically the One Zhang Liao used. Cuz I'm Zhang Liao reincarnated.

My favorite Chinese weapon (s) are the Kwan Dao and the Gem. Its awesome a traditional Kwan Dao would of weighed 100lbs. to 200lbs. Just imagion the person weilding it. Also I am partial to the spear.

Only with the correct grip. Personally I am partial to Epee's.

Well, the first thing that comes to mind about utilising range and stabbing techniques (I assume you mean the fletch when you say stabbing rather then the convential lunge as utilised by kendo) would be fencing.

The art form requires, and builds, tensitility reserve within the leg muscles, passive and isometric strength aswell as good reactions and reflexes.

However, depending on the type of fencing you're after significantly effects your chances of finding a suitable school.

I believe that you will almost indefinatly be able to find an olympic fencing. If I were you I would like to a school of Scherma (Italian fencing) which covers everything from Olympic style to various north and south regional sword systems.

Typically the weapons covered will be the usual (poinard, epee, sabre, either with main gauche etc) depending on the style and its origin, preferably you want a style from the Genoa region, you may even find a style of Stilleto fencing.

Plus there is always Novascrima for a more...medieval range of styles and weapons.

If you MUST study a medieval style I suggest an organisation similar to ARMA rather then alot of the other ones which seem almost....role play esque in nature rolleyes

Canticle of three kingdoms?

You mean the Romance of three kingdoms. Crazy brits.

The flexibility of chinese swords comes from movies showing the light training swords used in Wu Shu true swords don't do this any one who knows how swords are made can tell this is bull. It is farly hard to find real strait swords on the net but it is posible I have found a few I read here that some one was told tassels were for balance this is fals tassels were some times used as a destruction a swords balans would most likely not be efected by some clothe or a bit of string. The swords pommel is what balances out a sword I feel tassels would get in the way I have tryed to do things with a sword I own that had a tassel and it just botherd me so I removed it they may look neat doing forms but thats about it. Some other chinese weapons have things like this spears and the Quan Dao have things such as rings atached to do things such as tangle up others weapons and confuse people.

The strait swords are used much like a Rapier they stab with them mostly.

The Dao or chinese broad sword was used in a sliceing cut and thrust maner and as said above was mostly used by the military.


The old pic and the strait sword are from http://www.wle.com/ the strait sword above is as flexible as one should be a Viking sword was able to bend five to six inches and return to normal never do this it causes stress in the blade and damages it over time.

I have swords and knives I work with metal I was in a machine class for a year and am curently welding I also have forged a few little knives and a sword thats not finished yet. I have a book on blade smithing and have read a lot on swords and how they were made and used the only sword I can onistly say would never work fighting others is a Rapier they wernt ment to take heavy blows from sabers and things if you can dodge blows you might get it to work.