Wing Chun knives- were they had been worn

Butterfly swords or  'butterfly knives as they are called in English  are one of two weapons of Wing Chun. There are several different Chinese names for this weapon which belongs to  “dao” family of weapons. Word “dao” is used to designate one side bladed weapon whose primary function is to cut and slash regardless of length. Different  branches of Wing Chun have different names as well as may other styles like Hung Gar , Choy Lee Fut or White Crane. The design of the weapon, including the crossguard shape, blade profile and blade length, are specific to each style of martial arts, the precise lineage, and individual.

Traditionally, the blade of a butterfly sword is only sharpened along half of its edge – from the middle of the blade to the tip; this can be seen in all vintage specimens from the Qing dynasty. It is widely believed that blade from the midpoint down is left blunt so that it can be used to deliver non-lethal strikes and to block without damaging the sharpened edge. This believe is not true and it will be explained why later. Butterflies swords were generally commissioned for individual martial artists, not mass-produced, so every set of swords was different. Modern age and popularity of Chinese kung fu brought mass production and standardization of the blades.

There are several version of same legend how butterfly swords came to existence and how they became part of Wing Chun. Why legend? Simply because there are no evidence to support this story, it goes against common sense and the art its self showing something completely opposite.

In Wing Chun the origin of butterfly swords is attributed to Shaolin monastery , Southern or Northern depending of the linage. The butterfly swords were designed to meet the training and defense needs of Shaolin monks. In harmony with Buddhist philosophy and teachings, the monks designed the weapon for parrying, disarming, and cutting, not for killing. Consequently, the blade was structured with dull edges on  bottom to be used for interception of an opponent’s weapons. The fable goes, that the monks would keep the knives in their boots and use them to defend themselves. They were allegedly used so monks could incapacitate not kill their attackers and therefore still uphold their moral integrity. Dull blade added thickness for extra support to the structure of the sword. Having a sharpened blade on the butterfly sword was useful for chopping but because of the thin edge of the sword, the blade could easily be damaged or broken when defending against a longer, heavier weapon in combat.

There are several problems with this story. First Southern Shaolin never existed, all claims connected to that place simply are not true. Second, a compressive researches  covering all the weapons used by the Shaolin styles, does not show any use of the Wing Chun style Dao. Third, monks do not wear boots and having pair of big knives in the boots would hurt legs, broke boots and wouldn’t be easiest place to reach weapon in a situation when quick drawing is involved. Fourth, a pair of large knives would not be a good choice for non lethal combat. Big walking stick as it was used for centuries is far better, cheaper , safer, non-lethal self defense option. Having in mind that Northern Shaolin was famous for its pole technique and that was the only weapon practiced there for centuries monks would probably use them for travel. Fifth, short blades , even two of them are the worst possible choice for self defense weapons on open spaces. Simply these weapons have no reach  nor power to do any harm to anyone with full size weapon like a sword, spear , pike , saber … people who wield two short knives would simply be cut in pieces, on the other hand they would fulfill the nonlethal purpose of the weapon.

Who invented double knives and when will remain a mystery. Paired weapons were used in China for centuries and it is impossible to determine when they appeared for the first time. What we know is that paired weapons of different size and shape were popular in 19 century China, especially is urban areas.

How double swords became part of Wing Chun we’ll probably never know. Many theories are in circulation pointing at different martial arts or groups of people as a source of Wing Chun swords. All these theories are trying to pinpoint exact source of the weapon. The fact is, double swords were wide spread weapon at the time, ideal for fighting on the boats (and other confined spaces) and people on the Red Boats could adopt them without having any particular source, that is the most possible scenario.

There is a believe that Wing Chun was initially developed as empty hand system and knives were developed later but that is far from truth. Wing Chun as most of the other kung fu styles was developed from knife fighting, to be correct from double knives fighting. Everything in Wing Chun is made for knife fighting in confined spaces, what is now known as empty hand forms get full sense if knives are used instead of empty hands. For example, second section of the Sil Lim Tao form has large number of explanations and how should be used in empty hand fighting but it is simply a set of movements to release from the rear hold and draw the knives , or beginning of the third form, which is usually explained as a set of elbow strikes but in fact it is a way to release for various front holds and draw the knives. Of course same principles are valid for empty hand fighting.

There is also believe that double knives were worn in the sleeves of traditional Chinese clothes. While this is possible it is not probable for several reasons. First , double words(knives) usually had only one folder. To put both knives in one sleeve would be pretty uncomfortable and noticeable no matter how big sleeves are. Second to put each knife in one sleeve requires special folders and there is no historical evidence that such folders ever existed. Third, loose, large sleeves are not the best choice for quick weapon drawing . And last, traditional clothes with very large sleeves were not everyday clothes, usually people wore clothes with normal sleeves because large long sleeves are pretty uncomfortable for any kind of activity, eating, writing , fighting or anything else.

Wing Chun empty hand forms ( knives form was invented much later, probably in 1930’s or 1940’s) give very clear conclusion that knives were worn on the waist level.