Hanwei Practical Taichi Sword Review and cutting test (take 2)

[eteune]

@AndyRaslan haha, well to each his own, I suppose. Have ever actually tried to cut something with a 'wushu' sword? Most likely not, I have sliced large pumpkins in half easily with this sword. You also most likely are not weilding it properly, but hey, you could spend $300 for a real 'jian' and use that. I was just showing in this and other videos what a $50 'jian' could do. For $50 this sword is well balanced, well fitted and 'heavy'?? are you kidding? You must not have held many swords before.

[ASLfroman]

i like how it's double sided

[shinypenny]

Thanks for the review, always nice to get more information.

I was wondering, how snug is the sword in the case. I noticed that the Hsu version has a duck bill lock to keep the sword in snug. Does this sword do something similar?

I'm thinking that this would be better value than the Hsu, so I'll probably go with this anyway, but it's good to know before I buy :-)

[eteune]

@shinypenny I have the sword hanging in my office on a peg from the loop in the pommel, the scabbard fits very tight

[von853]

Great Video! What blade length did you get? I was debating between the practical and the Adam Hsu, but I like the guard on the practical better and it's considerably cheaper. After seeing your pumpkin cutting my mind is made up, the practical it is! Has the handle held up well or has any loosening started? Just curious ...

[eteune]

@von853 no, no loosening so far, I got the longer blade as I am 6 feet tall. If you hit harder targets with just the end of the blade, it tends to get bent, so I had to bend mine back in line after some of the frozen pumpkin stuff. If you are slicing, hit back from the tip more so it will cut more effectively and always be careful, it cuts well when it is sharpened!

[von853]

@eteune Thanks for the reply! I'm 5'9" or so, so think I'll get the 30" blade. I just don't really see the advantage in getting the Adam Hsu model, in fact by the looks of it the thicker diamond shape, (from what I can tell from pictures), might even be less adept at light cutting. Either way, looks like a lot of fun and a great piece for the money, think I will order it this afternoon! Really enjoyed watching your videos, though as you say the semi frozen pumpkins seemed to push the limits :)

[EpicEffinTom]

you got it nice n sharp but might i recommend using a stone next time ? i find it puts a longer lasting and sharper edge on my blades than an acusharp, not to mention alot of rumors about acusharps being bad for long term use.

no disrespect, sharpen your blade the way you see fit of course.

[eteune]

@EpicEffinTom yeah, too much work and money for a $50 sword, if I invest in a better one, I will definitely take that route, thanks for the advice!

[EpicEffinTom]

@eteune Oh wow thats only $50 how did i miss that ._.

well then please excuse me i assumed it was one of hanwei's more pricey pieces (i typically keep my focus on their Japanese weapons)

carry on your way, nice to hear you'd take that route for a more expensive investment. in the mean time i think i'll look into picking one of these up for me.

[gteune]

Very Cool Video!!!!

[mintkendishin]

ur gonna scare ur neighbors doing that

[kelnology]

wow you got some very straight cut.. thumps up for you bro..

[eteune]

@harri685 this IS the Paul Chen Hanwei practical TaiChi sword, Hanwei by Paul Chen.

The more expensive version is the Paul Chen Hsu Series Jian designed by sword master Adam Hsu and sold under the Hanwei label

[retepsavid]

awesome video I think a lot of people are looking for real video reviews on different blades appreciate all your work thanks

love the roadkill idea

just dont do watermelon and fruit it can stain the blade

[BCKASMMA]

Great Video!

[Keiseroll]

What is the song you used for the video?

[eteune]

I don't know

I grabbed it off of Somafm's Groove Salad station

I will try and look it up for you

[steveg219]

This is cool, I didn't know the cheaper swords like this would hold an edge and could actually be sharpened, thanks for the video

[eteune]

I'm out to prove the sceptics wrong :)

I will look for something more interesting to cut, inanimate, of course

[sdflyer28]

This sword for practice not for cutting. Real jian costs $1000 and more

[eteune]

Really?

I disagree, and real jian can be had for less than $300 (Cold Steel Gim)

Even this simple sword is made of high carbon steel and takes and edge relatively well.

Did you not watch the cutting part of my video?

There are many more options for Chinese weapons these days with no need to spend thousands.

thanks,

Ed

[sdflyer28]

Well if you think that jian was designed to cut cardboard you might as well use a kitchen knife ( a cheaper solution). :)

[eteune]

carboard is just to sample cut

I will find some large roadkill and string it up next time :))

[Nebelhex]

I suppose "real" is a matter of perspective. Even a $20 unsharpened jian can cut when skill is applied. (although those will probably break easily!)