Weapon of the Week

[King Bob]

Better guard on that one. That's more like the ones I've seen you wielding.

[Drunk Monk]

It's akin to the contemporary jian, with which most practitioners are accustomed. The others are based on historical designs - 200-100 BCE when China first develops steel. The pattern-welded blades didn't exist back then - that's a concession to modern swordmaking - but it makes for some fierce cutters.

[Dr. Ivor Yeti]

Dude, that new one is the heavy-weight of the line so far. Second longest, too, I think. Whatta bruiser.

[Dr. Ivor Yeti]

     My only worthy contribution to this thread. DM is running rings around me on this one. 

Damascus pattern using meteoric iron.

[Drunk Monk]

The Gale Wind is the best one. This might be my favorite jian in my collection yet. The engraved one that my Shaolin master gave me in commemoration of taking my discipleship vows has the most sentimental value, but this one is just gorgeous. I love it.

I don't know how many jian I own. I'm guessing around 3 dozen including few antiques, several sharps, and a few unusual ones like a snake-bladed one. That doesn't even count the parts - I have some stray blades and fittings. 

I gotta lotta swords.

[Dr. Ivor Yeti]

Pics, pleeeeez!

[Drunk Monk]

Here's a pic





oh...you mean pix of the sword? 

It's this one: https://lkchensword.com/shop/ols/products/gale-wind

Best to look at the site because those pix are pro and look sharp. And they're much nicer in person. The fittings (including the scabbard furniture) are solid stainless steel. The balance is superb. The only thing that bothers me is the lanyard hole in the handle. It's a little inside my grip purchase and I think it might rub against me when I use it. I'll try it out tomorrow.

And what's more, LK is now sending me a Miao Dao. That's this one: https://lkchensword.com/shop/ols/product...w-miao-dao

This is insane. When that arrives, it'll be nearly $2K of steel that they've sent. I have to believe it's some sort of karmic cash out for all my years slinging swords for a living. I only hope I can get Tiger Claw or YMAA to carry some, so it'll be worth LK's effort. I am planning some coverage because this has got to be trade. As you know, I'm a firm believer in that old superstition about never gifting blades.





And just be grateful I didn't post the tentacle pix I had. "Pics, pleeeeez!" is such an invitation. 

[Dr. Ivor Yeti]

Wow! Miaow Dow is the cat’s...uh, miaow.

Holy Crap! It’s HUGE!

[Drunk Monk]

Holy Crap! It’s HUGE!

You’re always sayin that. Reminds me of when Ariana Grande said Pete Davidson was huge and he said ‘she’s tiny so everything’s huge to her.’ But yetis are anything but tiny. 

Okay i have no idea where I was going with that but I better stop because it’s probably a stepping stone to the tentacle hentai rabbit hole.

Miao dao were the Chinese answer to the katana. Qi Jiguang, in his seminal martial treatise, discusses them extensively. I’ve seen some beautiful Miao dao, even write a cover story on it, but never learned it. It’s popular because it’s so like a katana and everybody loves katana. However it’s not widely practiced. I know a few Miao dao players but I’m not sure I need to learn anything new now. Although I’m tempted by this. This and monk spade are two weapons I would still like to learn.

[King Bob]

I always liked the monk spade. I think of it every time I'm at the hardware store and see the long-handled flat scrapers next to the shovels. Probably a good anti-zombie weapon.

And I think DM might have a sword hoarding problem. It's going to be a weird garage sale when Tara cleans out the house after DM is gone.

[Drunk Monk]

My Miao dao cover story - http://www.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/a...ticle=1012

[Drunk Monk]

I always liked the monk spade. 

My personal theory is that monk spades are made up, descended from opera. It’s symbolic but it’s associated with monks so I’d like to learn it anyway. I have a nice one. Here’s my monk spade cover story - http://www.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/a...ticle=1042

The point I was working towards with my Qi Jiguang tale earlier is that Miao dao were so big that if you shouldered one, you couldn’t draw it, even with gorilla arms. So there were established patterns - like forms - that were taught as military drills where you partnered with a fellow soldier and each drew each other’s sword. I always found that’s hilarious.

That Gale Wind moves like its namesake. I love it. It is now my favorite jian. I cut at a fern that had been growing across a path and it lopped the leaves so cleanly I could hardly feel it. I need to cut something more substantial.

[King Bob]

The monk spade might also be the genesis of the Lirpa

[Drunk Monk]

Maybe the Lirpa was left by a renegade Vulcan to help the monks fight off Klingons. 

First Contact Day is Monday!

[thatguy]

You should start a Gardening with DM martial arts crossover vlog

—tg