The Hanwei Qi Jian... any good?

[J Hashey]

I was wondering if anybody here has handled Hanwei's Qi Jian, and if so what were their impressions.

I may in the near-to-distant future be taking taijiquan, provided I can get around certain obstacles (I work 3-11 so it's hard to find classes that cater to me; however, my boss may be pestered into putting me back on night shifts if I bribe him with pizza)... if so I will be learning sword forms along with the rest of the art. So my question above partially pertains to this one: is the qi jian appropriate to sword forms? Is it good and properly stiff, or is it a stupid wushu sword that flops all over?

One thing that draws me to it (but also makes me leery) is its single piece construction (blade, handle, pommel all one piece). On one hand you know the blade will never fly out of the handle; however, would the single-piece construction transmit too much of a blow's shock to the hand?

[J Hashey]

for pics/description of the sword in question go to:

http://www.casiberia.com/product_details.asp?id=SH2295

[E. C. Aguilar II]

G'day Mate,
I just received a Hanwei Qi Jian today, and it is by far the most balanced, POB at hu shao (hilt), Wen Jian I have handled. The sound it makes when drawn really clears the mind for practice. Also, if you are looking for a practice jian, the Qi Jian I received was unsharpened, although the jan (tip) is quite sharp, and I'm positive if you decide to have the entire length of the jian professionally polished/sharpened it will definately hold an edge. The length of blade after the grooves is some what flexible, though thankfully not as flexible as other Wen Jian style blades. Overall, I am extremely happy with the Qi Jian I received, and during this evenings practice of Bāguàzhǎng straight sword I found that this Jian, despite it being over 2xs heavier than my previous Wen Jian, felt more like an extension of my body because of the Qi Jian's unsurpassed POB. Also since it is composed entirely of a single billet of forged steel, I found that I could sense each movement through the sword with more clarity than with my old jian. Aesthetically, The Jian really is quite well made, including the wooden scabbard with it's matching- to the pommel and hilt-finishings. Hope this critique is of use to you. Stay disciplined and vigilant in your pursuit of Jian Dao
Cheers and regards,
Gio
"Dao is like a fierce tiger, Jian a soaring phoenix, Qiang a toiling dragon" - Emphasis of the Dao(Chinese Broadsword) is strength, the Jian is grace and speed, and the Qiang (spear) is flow of movement.

[Walter Y.F. Wong]

E.C.,

For this Hanwei Qi Jian, Is it only blunt towards the hilt and gradually gets sharper as you move towards the tip? Is the middle 3rd of the blade semi sharp then the tip is sharp? Or is it just blunt from the hilt up through the middle of the blade and the only sharpness is primarily at the tip?

[E. C. Aguilar II]

G'day, and yes Mr. Wong the edge is uniformly blunt from the hilt to the tip of the grooves then from jianren, front edge, gradually tapers in sharpness all the way to the tip, which is quite sharp. Also the flexibility increases slightly, without any "drooping" at all, with the tapering. I think this is why when the tip is withdrawn from the scabbard there is an audible bell-like ring. Although this is only the second day I've used it at practice, it feels like I've been using this Jian for years. It's hard to explain how much more natural movements feel with it, and how intuitive the Qi Jian feels in the hand. Also, it's very satisfying to hear that "ring" when I snap my wrist just right. Hope this answered your question.
Cheers and regards,
Gio

"Dao is like a fierce tiger, Jian a soaring phoenix, Qiang a toiling dragon" - Emphasis of the Dao(Chinese Broadsword) is strength, the Jian is grace and speed, and the Qiang (Spear) is flow of movement.

[David Stokes]

i got to see the prototype of this sword at BLADE show back in June........ it was BY FAR the most attractive peice that CAS Iberia premiered....
the rayskin is a nice touch

[E. C. Aguilar II]

I agree. It's subtle aesthetic qualities are rivaled only by the intuitive way it handles. If only more Jian were forged and designed like this, I'm sure interest would peak in Jian Dao. The following Sword Forum thread also has some info regarding the Qi Jian as well:
New stuff on the Cas Iberia website! ( 1 2)

Hope this helps you out.
Cheers and regards,
Gio

[Lance Chan]

I haven't handled the sword yet so I can't be sure, but from all the antique Jian I've handled and their data spec. published all around the net, the balance point of a Jian would hardly be right on the guard. Having the balance right on the guard will be easy for the user to get it into motion, thus making one feels as if he's an expert with the weapon because it moves so effortlessly. However, when it comes to fighting where there's resistance to be overcome, such balance will resulted in undesired situations. The cut and thrust will be very easily deflected, carrying very little power and the defense ability may be virtually none.

Just some food for thought.

[E. C. Aguilar II]

My apologies for the error Mr. Chan. In that post I meant that the POB was exactly where the patina and the polished blade meet, approximately 1.0 inch or 2.54 cm from the guard proper. Thank you for pointing out the error, I'll re-edit the post, mate.
cheers and regards,
Gio

[Walter Y.F. Wong]

Originally Posted by E. C. Aguilar II

G'day, and yes Mr. Wong the edge is uniformly blunt from the hilt to the tip of the grooves then from jianren, front edge, gradually tapers in sharpness all the way to the tip, which is quite sharp. Also the flexibility increases slightly, without any "drooping" at all, with the tapering. I think this is why when the tip is withdrawn from the scabbard there is an audible bell-like ring. Although this is only the second day I've used it at practice, it feels like I've been using this Jian for years. It's hard to explain how much more natural movements feel with it, and how intuitive the Qi Jian feels in the hand. Also, it's very satisfying to hear that "ring" when I snap my wrist just right. Hope this answered your question.
Cheers and regards,
Gio

Yes Gio, it does. Thank you.

[B.Ko]

1 inch POB from the guard does not make a very functional jian. Great for demonstration forms but then one loses the martial intent of the moves by using a sword like object vs. a historically weighted and balanced sword.

It's interesting you use the term 'Wen Jian'. Many of the shorter jian actually had a more distal POB than the longer jian. This was to lend power to cutting with a shorter jian. I have an antique with a 24" blade that has such distal POB.

Sword forms were created out of martial applications with real weapons. When we practice with improperly balanced and weighted facsimiles, one does not get an appreciation of the real technique in the forms.

[E. C. Aguilar II]

Dear Mr. Ko,
G'day. By Wen Jian I meant that it is more akin to a "civil sword". From research, it seems that Wen Jian were longer and lighter than Wu Jian, martial swords. Also was the jian you referenced a more Northern or Southern style jian? From research, it seems that Northern style jian were longer and narrower than Southern style jian as a reflection of the tendancy for Northern Peoples to be of a taller and slighter build than the Southern Peoples of China. Perhaps since the Qi Jian is entirely forged from a single billet of high carbon steel this may account for the deviation in POB when compared to other jian. The design is also that of a "thrusting" not cutting type weapon. So having a POB closer to the hilt might facilitate movement transmitted more readily to the tip as well. Since it is modeled after descriptions of antique jian, for example the jian of Feng-Xuan- also of the Qi,a Northern People, maybe it's martial appliations have already been proven and tested. All I can say for sure is that this is the only example of a jian crafted in this way that I have used, and, that when compared to more commonly crafted and designed jian, the Qi Jian is unparalled in intuitiveness and fluidity in my humble opinion. Because of this I feel that I am garnering a better appreciation, not to mention a new perspective, of the real technique in the straight sword form of Bāguàzhǎng.
Cheers and regards,
Gio