| The Chinese Hook Sword, also known as a | | | | pronounced and gracefully flashy routines, |
| Shuanggou, is one of many exotic types of exotic | | | | techniques are taught that include the linking of a |
| Chinese weapons that were traditionally employed | | | | pair of swords that produce wielding movements |
| by many northern styles of Chinese martial arts. | | | | as if it were one weapon. |
| It has also been known as the tiger hook sword | | | | These techniques take a great deal of practice to |
| (qian kun ri yue dao - "Heaven and Sun Moon | | | | learn and, perhaps, many years of instruction |
| Sword). It combines the blade elements of a jian, | | | | under the guidance of an established sword |
| but a bit thicker, with what is known as in | | | | master. There is some historical reference that |
| Western culture as a Shepherd's Crook - the | | | | these weapons were strictly used as civilian |
| hook part. This weapon is often used in a pair, | | | | preference since there is no listing as part of any |
| thus presenting the product of twin Chinese hook | | | | official Chinese army armament. |
| swords. | | | | Product Placement Pays |
| What Makes the Twin Chinese Hook Swords | | | | Due to its unique look and exotic style wielding |
| Special? | | | | movements, hook swords have appeared in |
| There are five basic elements that comprise hook | | | | many modern-day instances including action toys, |
| swords including: | | | | movies and action computer-based video games |
| * Sword back which acts as a regular blade | | | | such as Mortal Kombat where both the |
| * The actual hook that is used as a tripping | | | | characters of Kabal and Mavado use the same |
| device or weapon catch as well as its more | | | | pair of swords. |
| obvious employment for slashing enemies | | | | In the Mortal Kombat television series, the legions |
| * The hilt end acts as a sharpened dagger | | | | of Scorpion wield hook swords. Additionally, |
| * The sword has a crescent-shaped hand guard | | | | Hasbro Toys put out a line of Mortal Kombat |
| that is used both during blocking and slashing | | | | action figures holding hook swords in the 1990s. |
| * When tow are used as a linked pair, the sword | | | | The use of hook swords gets a cross-culture |
| reach is significantly extended - almost an | | | | infusion with the issue of a GI Joe Ninja figure also |
| additional six feet, so the hilt dagger on the | | | | wielding a pair of hook swords. The character |
| extended hook sword slashes at any enemy | | | | Shulien wields a pair of hook swords in the movie |
| effectively extending the wielder's reach from | | | | Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon doing battle |
| three to six feet. | | | | against Jen Yu. |
| Movements of Grace and Style | | | | Great Wall Hanging |
| Typical Twin Chinese Hook Swords movements | | | | The unique look of a pair of hook swords makes |
| originated in Northern Chinese Martial Arts styles | | | | for great wall hangings or proudly displayed over |
| such as Shaolin and the Seven-Star Mantis. It | | | | the mantel of a fireplace. The product comes as |
| became such a popular weapon choice that | | | | a set of two swords that are constructed of |
| eventually was adapted by some southern | | | | stainless steel at 33.25 inches long with cord |
| Chinese Martial Arts schools including Choy Lay | | | | wrapped handles. |
| Fut. Because this weapon produces such | | | | |