| The 33 inch Chinese Twin Hook Sword is the | | | | became popularized through its adaption into |
| most exotic looking of a long line of traditional | | | | several Northern Chinese schools of martial arts |
| Chinese- made swords that date back thousands | | | | training including that of the Shaolin. Several |
| of years. The Chinese began fashioning swords | | | | fictional accounts of Shaolin combat practices |
| made from stone and then bronze, which have | | | | have been created in recent times including the |
| been found in many tombs of ancient kings from | | | | popular television series, Kung Fu, starring David |
| the Zhou Dynasty, about 1,000 B.C. | | | | Carradine. |
| The Chinese were the first to develop | | | | Two Training Forms |
| sword-making practices that also were highly | | | | All weapons training in martial arts has a two-fold |
| copied by other cultures as evident in the | | | | purpose, the first being actual combat use and |
| development of the Japanese sword-making from | | | | the second as a display of grace and finesse. The |
| 793 to 1185 A.D. The Chinese began creating iron | | | | combat approach displays exceptional hard-hitting |
| alloys for sword-making around 500 B.C. creating | | | | techniques while the second produces the visually |
| export weapons that were traded throughout the | | | | exciting maneuvers that are typically seen in |
| Far East. | | | | many of today's modern martial arts productions. |
| Steel Sword-Making Techniques Developed | | | | The Shaolin called the weapon a "tiger" hook |
| The Chinese were the first culture to discover | | | | sword or a qian kun ri yue dao which translates |
| sword-making techniques blending two different | | | | into the Heaven and Earth Sun Moon sword. A |
| strands of steel with separate carbon elements to | | | | Hook Sword is considered a very dangerous |
| produce an exceptional hard compound that also | | | | weapon due to the number of blades projecting |
| possessed great resiliency. | | | | from a variety of directions and should never be |
| This became the very foundation for creation of | | | | wielded by anyone without proper professional |
| Chinese swords that eventually include | | | | training. |
| manufacture of a weapon such as the 33 Inch | | | | Unique Look |
| Chinese Twin Hook Sword. To accomplish the | | | | The actual construction of any 33 Inch Chinese |
| creation of exquisitely fine and effective blade | | | | Hook Sword is borrowed from several sources. |
| weaponry, the Chinese employed three different | | | | The blade is similar to jian style. However, it is |
| methods that included Twist Core, Steel Wrapping | | | | usually much thicker. The hook is placed at the tip |
| (Baogang) and Steel Inserting (Qiangang). | | | | of the sword where it is well situated for both |
| Culturally Popular Choice | | | | blocking and grappling enemies but also looks |
| As far as Western popularity goes, the Chinese | | | | appealing hanging above the fireplace as well. |
| Hook Sword has gained the most. This is due, in | | | | Since these are often used as pairs, consider |
| part, to its unique appearance and specific wielding | | | | obtaining this pair to display in your home in |
| movements that make its "live" usage appealing | | | | conjunction with many other Oriental weapons |
| to viewing audiences. Although not a specific | | | | you may encounter worthy for you collection. |
| "ancient" Chinese blade weapon, the hook sword | | | | This product is made from black stainless steel |
| traces its origin back to the late 1700s where it | | | | and includes a cord-wrapped handle. |