Ming Jian

G. McCormack · 3rd June 2009, 03:46 PM

Fascinating! Do you have the weight? Any pics of the tang?

Lee · 3rd June 2009, 05:41 PM

Very nice. I have always found these earlier blades that have been remounted for a much later working life to be most interesting and it is always a thrill when such a sleeper is discovered. A favorite example of mine is in the Schweizerischen Landesmuseum (Zurich, IN6986) where a 7th - 8th century pattern-welded blade has been fitted with a c. 1510 katzbalger hilt!

josh stout · 4th June 2009, 01:51 PM

Thanks for the congratulations. Unfortunately there is no easy way to get a handle off a Chinese sword without some damage so the tang will remain hidden. From memory, the weight is about 800g.

Before I knew what it was, it was my regular practice sword and a pleasure to work with. It is fast but with a balance far enough up the blade to make it feel substantial on the cuts. I first thought it was a modern mono-steel copy because I couldn’t see any lines and someone had put it on a buffer. I cleaned it a bit and noticed a very faint temper line, and it felt so good in the hand, lively, with literally a "good vibration" that I thought it was worth keeping around. Usually it is the look that attracts me to a sword, but in this case it was as much the feel of it. So I put it in the corner as a practice weapon, and brought it to Timonium as an afterthought. It looked lonely in the corner, and I thought the unusually slim blade might be of interest because of its similarities to Vietnamese things.

I can’t wait to see it in person with a full polish.
Josh

fearn · 4th June 2009, 05:50 PM

Hi Josh,

Neat blade. My teacher had a 100-year old jian that had a similar "good feel," and he used it as a practice blade. I hope that when you get this one back, you will continue to practice with it. It's a beauty.

Best,

F

3rd June 2009, 05:41 PM	#2
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 941	Nice! Very nice. I have always found these earlier blades that have been remounted for a much later working life to be most interesting and it is always a thrill when such a sleeper is discovered. A favorite example of mine is in the Schweizerischen Landesmuseum (Zurich, IN6986) where a 7th - 8th century pattern-welded blade has been fitted with a c. 1510 katzbalger hilt!

3rd June 2009, 03:46 PM	#1
G. McCormack Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 131	Fascinating! Do you have the weight? Any pics of the tang?

4th June 2009, 01:51 PM	#3
josh stout Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 407	Thanks for the congratulations. Unfortunately there is no easy way to get a handle off a Chinese sword without some damage so the tang will remain hidden. From memory, the weight is about 800g. Before I knew what it was, it was my regular practice sword and a pleasure to work with. It is fast but with a balance far enough up the blade to make it feel substantial on the cuts. I first thought it was a modern mono-steel copy because I couldn’t see any lines and someone had put it on a buffer. I cleaned it a bit and noticed a very faint temper line, and it felt so good in the hand, lively, with literally a "good vibration" that I thought it was worth keeping around. Usually it is the look that attracts me to a sword, but in this case it was as much the feel of it. So I put it in the corner as a practice weapon, and brought it to Timonium as an afterthought. It looked lonely in the corner, and I thought the unusually slim blade might be of interest because of its similarities to Vietnamese things. I can’t wait to see it in person with a full polish. Josh

4th June 2009, 05:50 PM	#4
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	Hi Josh, Neat blade. My teacher had a 100-year old jian that had a similar "good feel," and he used it as a practice blade. I hope that when you get this one back, you will continue to practice with it. It's a beauty. Best, F