Swordsage
Hangout with Richard Roy
updated
For those inclined to support the channel (It's greatly appreciated! I promise not to spend any funds on NFTs!): www.patreon.com/swordsage
I've noticed that no matter the system, there are certain universal movements and counters that different sword traditions share. So I wanted to explore some of them. We've all seen the overhead cut right? well, I 'm going to show a couple of counters for that move... and then I'm going to ask some other sword people to show how they would deal with it. I think this is going to end up being a fun project. At least, I hope so.
I nominate Skallagrim to show me how he would deal with this move. I would ask some of the other sword YouTubers to do this as well... but... um... I don't know them. So I'll leave it up to him to contact them. :P
For those inclined to help the channel (it's greatly appreciated!): www.pateron.com/swordsage.
This time I'm reviewing the Qi Ja Yao Dao, or the General Qi Waist Saber. I put it through its paces and talk about how well it does. I also perform a new test that I normally don't do... and the results were interesting, to say the least.
For those inclined to help the channel (It's greatly appreciated!): www.patreon.com/swordsage
I hope you find this, as well as some of my future videos, worth the watch. Please forgive me for how long and rambly this particular one is...
For those inclined to help the channel (it's greatly appreciated!): www.patreon.com/swordsage
We talk a bit about Pak Mei Kung Fu, how he got into the art, and some of his thoughts on martial artists in the past, training, learning weapons, and the state of Chinese Martial Arts today.
If you are interested in learning more about Laoshi Jeremy Thomas and his school, check out the links below:
The Pak Mei Association webpage:
http://pakmeiassociation.com
Joplin Pak Mei Athletic Association's Facebook page:
facebook.com/whitebrowmissouri
Laoshi Jeremy Thomas' YouTube channel:
youtube.com/user/Guitarsamurai1134
For those inclined to support the channel (It's greatly appreciated! Plus gas is expensive these days!!): www.patreon.com/swordsage
This time, we unbox what might be one of the most richly decorated swords I've handled. This one is pretty interesting.
For those inclined to support the channel (it's greatly appreciated!): www.patreon.com/swordsage.
At least this is answering a question I keep on getting: "What's a good sword for me?" I attempt to answer that here.
For those inclined to help the channel (it's greatly appreciated!): www.patreon.com/swordsage.
No, seriously.
Obviously, I get into it here.
Edit: I forgot to display the name of the student I mentioned in the video at 13:30. His name is Liu Yun Qiao.
For those of you inclined to help the channel (it's greatly appreciated!): www.patreon.com/swordsage
Anyway, I go a little bit into the tradition (or lack thereof) of formally sheathing a Chinese sword, as well as a couple of tips on how to do it reliably. Hope you guys get something out of it.
For those inclined to support the channel (it's really appreciated, and yes, I need to update it!): www.pareon.com/swordsage
This video is pretty much about something that I've been thinking about for a while. The Chinese sword market has really been opening recently, with more and more people showing an interested in Chinese weapons, and more sword designs are being made. Yet, despite all the new choices on offer, one thing seems to not have changed... and that's how popular designs get copied. It's also interesting to me how our perceptions of what a "typical" jian looks like tends to be influenced by popular tends.
Watch this video, and hopefully you'll see what I mean.
For those inclined to help the channel (It's greatly appreciated!): www.patreon.com/swordsage
Don't worry. I do still plan on making videos. There's just been crap getting in the way. I talk about it here.
Here's hoping I get a video out before the year ends. Cross your fingers.
Also, let me know if you guys are still willing to see me do my usual live stream at the end of the year.
For those inclined to help the channel (it really helps. especially these days.): www.patreon.com/swordsage
Snow Peak stats (lkchensword.com/snow-peak ):
Sword only weight: approx. 1038 g (2 lb. 4.6 oz)
Blade length: 80 cm (31.5")
Handle total length: 20 cm (8.0")
Total length: 100 cm (39.37")
Folded pattern steel:
1060 carbon steel + T9 tungsten-vanadium high-speed tool steel.
Yan Ling Dao stats (lkchensword.com/yan-ling-dao ):
Sword only weight: approx. 928 g (2 lb. 0.75 oz)
Blade length: approx. 69.50 cm (27.36")
Handle including fitting: 18.00 cm (7.08")
Total length: 87.00 cm (34.25")
Folded pattern steel:
1060 carbon steel + T9 tungsten-vanadium high-speed tool steel.
For those inclined to help the channel: www.patreon.com/swordsage
Just my take, anyway.
For those inclined to support the channel (it's always appreciated!): www.patreon.com/swordsage
Jesse Enkamp's video on Karate kicks:
youtube.com/watch?v=sQUh5tVWd-E
Boxing's influence on Karate:
youtube.com/watch?v=jSLAcC5X8iE
Martial Arts journey, diving into the possibility of Wing Chun being effective:
youtube.com/watch?v=rVuNDVgnBvE
For those inclined to support the channel (It's greatly appreciated!): www.pateon.com/swordsage
For those inclined to help the channel (it's greatly appreciated!): www.patreon.com/swordsage.
In this video, we look at the new version of the Flying Phoenix, the Soaring Sky, and the Scarlet Sunset. Each one brings something unique to the table. But are they worth your time? Let's find out. :)
You can find these swords here:
lkchensword.com
For anyone interested in the online Chinese sword course offered by Scott Rodell's Academy of Chinese Swordsmanship, check out this link here:
chineseswordacademy.com/membershipsandcourses
If you use the promo code "swordsage", you can get the first two months half off.
For those inclined to support the channel (it's greatly appreciated!): www.patreon.com/swordsage
(for those who were there... I'm really sorry it ends so abruptly. The monitors just shut off, for seemingly no reason. Not sure what that was about. I'm hoping the video card isn't dying...)
For those inclined to help the channel (It's greatly appreciated!) www.patreon.com/swordage
if you are interested in joining Scott Rodell's online course program, the Chinese Sword Academy, you can check out the link here:
chineseswordacademy.com/membershipsandcourses
If you use the promo code "swordsage", you can get the first two months half off. I normally don't do promotions, but I'm actually impressed with what's on offer, having recently joined myself.
Note: you will notice a few sound hiccups here and there, and toward the last third of the interview, my camera ended up dying. the whole interview is still there and hasn't been compromised, but I wanted to apologize for those technical problems. I'll do my best to insure that this doesn't happen again in any future interviews I do.
For those inclined to help the channel (it really helps these days!): www.patreon.com/swordsage
I do admit that I don't go as much into depth about the Cyberpunk genre as I'd like, and I'm sure you guys can bring up your own points, even some counter points. But I think I'm still able to make my point in the end.
Anyway, this is just one nerd's opiinion.
For those inclined to support the channel (boy does it help these days!): www.patreon.com/swordsage
chinesemartialstudies.com
This is one of my favorite websites for historical Chinese Martial arts articles, as there is some good information here. Ben Judkins, who runs the site, is meticulous with his research, and his articles are quite good. He has a great article on the Dragon Sparrow Dao that is worth checking out:
tinyurl.com/y4wjtlta
Yep... I know you guys have been waiting for this one ever since I revealed that I got these swords. And if it wasn't for the fact that life got in the way, plus dealing with sound issues and a few mishaps getting the testing footage, I would have gotten this out much sooner. Needless to say, I'm not completely happy with this video, but I was still able to cover the bases with it.
So, what we have here is one rather unique sword, and one that's a more recognizable take on a Chinese jian. How do they measure up? Well, let's find out.
You can get them here:
lkchensword.com/dragon-sparrow
lkchensword.com/gale-wind
... now I wonder what that Soaring Sky is like?
For those inclined to help the channel (it's greatly appreciated!): www.patreon.com/swordsage
Oh, and just off hand, it's my birthday on the 30th.
Since I had to cut out so abruptly, I decided to answer a few other questions I missed here:
"Have you tried putting your thumb on the flat of the blade for certain techniques?"
- No, I haven't. I try not to touch the blade much while practicing if i can help it.
"any intention to eventually get a duanjian?"
- Actually, yes. At some point I would like to get one.
"Have you tried half-swording with a jian?"
- I never have. Considering how sharp they are from base to tip, I don't think it's a good idea. :P
"Thoughts on Unarmed fighting and then going to weapons like boxing and angles to sword fighting?"
- That tends to be the way most Chinese martial arts schools go about it. I don't think it's a bad idea, but I also think that if someone were to start directly with weapons, it wouldn't hurt either. The Europeans did that, as well as the Japanese.
"the thing i dont understand is why most chinese guards are so narrow and small?? thats dangerous for deflecting other swords when you parry, i know you dont need one so big but that small???"
- Well, back when they were used on the battlefield, they were paired with shields, and even in other cultures, swords paired with shields had small handguards. Later, it seems it was a cultural thing to have them the way they were. Also, IMO, the fighting techniques also didn't really lend themselves to forcing people to develop more protective handguards, since there really isn't much emphasis on using one for defense. Most of the time, one is encouraged to step out the way of attack, and counter with an attack to an open angle, which keeps one's hand out of the way. Still, one weird aspect is that there are also a lot of attacks and counters to the hand: one would think that would make someone develop a bigger handguard. Instead, we see more of an emphasis on stepping and moving the hand out the way.
ところで、ソードーセイジくんは日本語を話せますか?
- いいえ、できません。
About time this one came out, huh?
This is a rather interesting sword, in that it bucks a lot of the trends I tend to see with most of the Tang Dao reproductions on the market. Does that make this a good sword though? Well, watch and find out.
Sword weight: 932 g (2 lb.)
Blade Length: 74.6 cm (29.4")
Handle Length: 26.0 cm (10.2")
Total Length: 100.6 cm (39.5")
Point of balance: 14 cm (5.5")
Folded pattern steel: 1065 carbon steel + T8 tungsten-cobalt-vanadium high-speed tool steel.
lkchensword.com/frontier-tang-dao
For those inclined to help the channel (It's always appreciated!): www.patreon.com/swordsage
I actually had this recorded back in May, and it was all ready to be uploaded in June,. And even now, it's still relevant. Considering how big this issue, is, it shouldn't be uprising.
Some people will be upset with me about this one. That's fine. Considering some of the arguments people have made trying to justify the abuse of power against people who don't deserve it, I see no reason why I can't be uncompromising in my own views. If something is ethically wrong, then it's wrong. Period. No matter who are the people suffering under it.
I know that this may be too much for those seeking some kind of refuge from all the crap going on right now, so if you would rather come back to this later, or watch something else, I understand. Hell, I've uploaded a sword review along with this one, so at least there's a choice in viewing material.
Some material to check out on this topic:
youtube.com/watch?v=BmjB7TUroyE
Featured on the YouTube channel"Beau of the Fifth Column". This video was made back in Dec 2018... think about that.
This article here is... damning. If you happen to believe that all this stuff about bad cops and the general attitude of the police in the US is overblown, this is going to hurt to read:
medium.com/@OfcrACab/confessions-of-a-former-bastard-cop-bb14d17bc759
Articles on what happens when police officers try to report abuses:
May 2000 (note the date) research report by the National Institute of Justice: "Police Attitudes Toward Abuse of Authority: Findings From a National Study (Research in Brief)"
ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/181312.pdf
July 1, 2020 article in the Atlantic: "Police Punish the ‘Good Apples’"
theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/07/what-police-departments-do-whistle-blowers/613687
June 24th, 2012 article in the New York Times: "Officers, Exhorted to Report Corruption, Still Fear Retaliation." (again, note the date)
nytimes.com/2012/06/25/nyregion/new-york-police-officers-face-retaliation-for-reporting-corruption.html
This is a VERY small sampling of information. There's a LOT more out there...
For those inclined to help the channel (it's definitely appreciated!): www.patreon.com/swordsage.
For those inclined to help the channel (it's really appreciated!): www.patreon.com/swordsage
So, LK Chen, not happy with the fact that I didn't have a sharpened Double Dragon Sui Dao for test cutting, decided to do something to remedy that. So I guess it's time to see how well this thing can cut.
You can get the sword here: lkchensword.com/double-dragon
For those inclined to help the channel (It's definitely appreciated!): www.patreon.com/swordsage
The Amen Break: youtube.com/watch?v=rvCZ-HmXtCc
Amen Brother by the Winstons: youtube.com/watch?v=GxZuq57_bYM
Yep... we're dealing with this question again. :P
Good places to get swords:
http://www.kultofathena.com
There's a reason why this site has such a good reputation. Lots of good stuff here, great customer service, and a decent place to start.
sbg-sword-store.sword-buyers-guide.com/index.html
Another good general site for swords. The owner is obsessed with customer service, offering some really interesting swords, and making sure his customers are happy with what they get.
www.wle.com
This is a general martial arts site, with a focus towards Chinese martial arts, but there are some decent practice level swords here, as well as some more premium offerings. Keep in mind that the higher end stuff is more on the $500 and up end of the scale.
http://www.sinosword.com
These guys make both Japanese Katana and Chinese swords, and you can pretty much get something at a price point you're comfortable with. You can also customize some aspects of your sword as well.
lkchensword.com
You know these guys have become my new favorites. While they specialize in accurate representation of Chinese swords from different earlier time periods, they are some unique pieces with a distinctive feel. They are NOT your typical Chinese swords on the market.
http://www.huanuo-sword-art.com
sevenstarstrading.com/site/huanuo
These guys do not make swords for broke people, but there's a reason they can charge a higher price. Scott Rodell really seems to like them (he wouldn't be offering them on his site otherwise), and that's a pretty good recommendation. Hell, sooner or later, I'd like to get my hands on something from them.
roninkatana.com
Having handled some of their katana, I can say that what they offer is top notch, and you can find something at a price point you can afford. Their Dojo Pro line in particular are some of the toughest cutters on the market. I will always have respect for this company. They also offer some high end Chinese swords as well, but they are NOT for the broke.
http://www.chenessinc.com
These guys have been around for a VERY long time. They haven't even updated their website in years! But they've stood the test of time, and I can honestly say they have very honest, well performing katana for people on a budget. In fact, that's their whole business focus: offering good cutters for serious students who don't have a whole lot of money. They were among the first (if not the first) to prove the worthiness of 9260 spring steel for durable sword blades, and their katana can really take a beating. I'm still hoping to get my hands on their Kaze, one of these days.
Hope this helps you guys. :)
For those inclined to help the channel (it's really appreciated!): www.patreon.com/swordsage
Anyway, in this video, I review LK Chen's Heavenly Horse Cavalry Han Dao and Double Dragon Sui Dao. Both of these are not your typical Chinese Dao, and each one has it's own unique properties. But are they good swords? Well, watch and find out.
You can find them here:
lkchensword.com
lkchensword.com/heavenly-horse
lkchensword.com/double-dragon
Also, don't forget about the fundraiser for Skall! ((here is the link to the Fundraiser for Skall: docs.google.com/document/d/1-FYQdnY8xTLKGZJwBpccnRbJ5qm4TOTPz-yV5Znf8-k/edit ))
For those inclined to help the channel (it definitely helps... especially these days): www/patreon.com/swordsage
This is yet another of the various things that has been going through my mind for the past few months. Lately I've been seeing a whole lot of people trying to "find themselves", or coming up with crazy explanations for why they may act a certain way that contradicts what they claim about their personalities. While I'm not going to claim expertise when it comes to understanding human beings, there is one constant that I've noticed in my 40+ years of living on this planet.
The gist? It's in the title. The details? They're in the video.
Don't worry, the sword review is the very next video, and it's almost done.
For those inclined to help the channel (It's really appreciate! And yes, I do need to revamp it!): www.patreon.com/swordsage
Well, I figured it out halfway through the unwrapping of it, but still, it was a nice surprise.
Definitely looking forward to testing and reviewing this one. :)
Link to LK Chen Swords:
www.lkchensword.com
'Mackay' Double Dragons Sui Dao (600 AD)
lkchensword.com/double-dragon
For those inclined to support the channel (Eating is rather nice!): www.patreon.com/swordsage
Quite a nifty little sword, This little beast had me enamored for a while. It's light, it's fast, it's sharp as hell. But is it a good sword? Let's find out. :)
You can find this sword here:
lkchensword.com/royal-arsenal
lkchensword.com
For anyone inclined to help the channel (it's greatly appreciated!): www.patreon.com/swordsage
RIght?
Anyway, going to play some Sekiro, and then some Dark Souls, gab on a bit, and probably answer some questions.
By the way, I'm, really sorry about how long this is. I've done several takes on this, and yet this is the shortest I've been able to make it. And I haven't even got into my pet peeve about the lightsaber choreography. That's coming later, though. Also, this is an audio recording. There were a few sound and visual hiccups that were happening, and I didn't want to waste too much time trying to fix them, so I just went with recording this on Audacity. I'm just talking anyway, so you can have this going on in the background or something while you do something else.
Anyway, I hope you guys find this entertaining.
For those inclined to help the channel (It's really appreciated... and that pay system is getting revamped!): www.patreon.com/swordsage
If you guys find this topic interesting, you may want to check out this article here, which goes into much more depth on the matter: chinesemartialstudies.com/2019/11/10/are-the-chinese-martial-arts-fake
Actually, the whole blog itself is a fantastic find. If you ever were interested in a more thoughtful and investigative take on Chinese Martial Arts, I highly suggest checking it out.
For those inclined to help the channel (It's greatly appreciated!!): www.patreon.com/swordsage