Tai Chi Broadsword | Martial Arts Training Sword w/ Sheath

This Tai Chi Broadsword, forged in the district of Lung Chuan in China, possibly at the Shen family foundry, comes from a region legendary for its high quality weapons. Visitors to the district in recent times comment that it's still easy to find a good sword there, but it usually comes with a poor sheath. That's the case here, and with the Lung Chuan Tai Chi broadsword I own.

In particular, the decorative fittings on the sword and sheath are flimsy and look cheap. Construction is a bit loose, and even though this is a training sword, the makers certainly could have exercised more care. Mine arrived with a blade that rattled in the handle and pressed brass plate hardware that I wouldn't trust on a trinket box.

In spite of that, this can be a good Tai Chi training sword. The blade is the best part, hand forged from high carbon steel by people who do know what they are doing but generally don't sell their best stuff to the tourists. I'm sure the average Lung Chuan swords exported to the West wouldn't ever be offered to their good customers in China. This blade is traditionally shaped, with a stouter section for parrying (near the grip) and lighter steel as you approach the end of the blade. To me it seems more a light saber than a broadsword (which would have a wider section towards the tip), and it's a good weight for forms practice. An added plus is that tempered high carbon steel really is good for more than practice. It's a usable sword. I was able to tweak the weapon by tightening handle fittings and molding epoxy into the gaps between handle and blade, and I'm happy with it.

If you saw this at the market in China, you could haggle and get a good sword for a good price. In America, sometimes we have to take what we can get. Just be prepared to do some finishing work on it yourself.