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LK Chen: A Focus on Swordsmanship

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LK Chen is one of the most fascinating and dynamic personalities in the sword reproduction world. While only available to the Western market for a short period of time,  LK Chen swords are now at the forefront of the wishlists of sword collectors and martial artists.

KOA sat down (virtually) with master craftsman and swordsmith LK Chen to discuss his unique passion for historical recreations of Chineses swords and his approach to swordsmanship.  A look at his Han Jian revival has renewed global interest in the beautiful Chinese weapon and provided insights into the relationship between Chinese regulation and cultural heritage.

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KOA: LK Chen is a well-known source for high-quality Chinese swords, but many fans may not be as aware of your background as martial artist and scholar of Chinese martial arts. How would you describe your journey into this unique industry?

LK: The Chinese Jian is steep in historical and cultural values. I studied Chinese swordsmanship ever since I was young. I have always been single-minded on Jian and in order to find the right Jian for my practice, I bought all sorts of Chinese Jian through the years.  However, none of the Jians I bought had the handling properties I was looking for.  Eventually,  I decided to develop my own Jian with historically accurate measures and handling properties that complimented my sword practice. The result of this effort was the Flying Phoenix.

The Flying Phoenix Han Jian
Meticulously recreated, the Flying Phoenix Han Jian was the first sword LK Chen designed.

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QC at its best…

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KOA: In your words, what makes the swords from LK Chen different from other reproduction Chinese swords offered by other Chinese manufacturers?

LK Chen: Most Chinese sword manufacturers operate under the current regulatory environment within which combat arts are not advocated and functional weapons are forbidden in public spaces.  So most sword manufacturers put their efforts into making decorative swords for collectors to enjoy in their private home.  These decorative collector’s swords are very different from functional weapons designed for military or personal protection.  Another tradition in Longquan is that the crafts of swordmaking are usually passed down within families or through apprenticeships.  So the norm is to have some known swordsmiths with established shops making decorative swords for private collectors.

LK Chen Sword is a departure from this norm.  Our mission is to bring back to life weapons from eras when the fighting spirit was treasured.  LK Chen Sword is focused on realistic designs and creates swords with functional handling properties.  Much like the ancient workshops that made swords for warriors, the durability, and quality of our blades are of utmost importance.  We are able to strive in an international market that celebrates diversity with customers who acknowledge our efforts.

Form Follows Function

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Performance testing for the LK Chen Double Dragon Dao and Hidden Sword Cane Dao

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KOA: In the relatively short time that LK Chen Sword has been available, your presence and name recognition has exploded on the internet with favorable reviews and cutting demonstrations on Youtube. Have you seen that boom reflected in your business?

 LK Chen: We have seen an increase in demand for our swords. Without knowing the sales of comparable sword makers, my impression is that LK Chen Sword is growing at a healthy steady pace rather than experiencing one explosive surge.   

KOA: You mentioned in an interview you did recently with Professor Benjamin Judkins that it was shortly after graduating from university that you first encountered and examined a genuine Han Dynasty Jian. Was it this experience that inspired you to study the original swords in order to properly recreate them? Can you describe how you came about this opportunity?

 LK Chen: During my college years, there were round-handle swords marketed as “Han Jians” that flooded the market like common currencies. I found that the Han Jian looks more attractive than Ming and Qing style Jian.  My newfound interest prompted my research in Han Jian to the point that I encountered real specimens. I have since discarded those inauthentic “Han Jian” on the market. There are photos of antique Han Jian shared on the internet and it is not hard to acquire a real Han Jian through reputable antique dealers. As a matter of fact, there are plenty available.

Rather than be decorative, LK Chen model’s are based on the past in order to provide true function.

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KOA: Peter Johnsson for Albion Swords and Craig Johnson of Arms & Armor are similar to you in that their reproductions first begin with a scholarly examination of period originals. How different would your swords be if you did not have access to these period originals that are kept in both private and museum collections?

LK Chen: If there were no detailed pictures or exacting measurements of the original swords, it would be impossible to create the swords we offer today.  This is the biggest difference between LK Chen Sword and the other manufacturers. For the uninitiated, all swords look very much the same.  However, even minute discrepancies from the origin design, a sword could feel off and deviate from its intended purposes.  Most people never realize how much thought and labor are behind each of the swords we offer.  For example, the width, size, and curvature of the hand guards and the hilt collar fittings impact the dimensions of the handle and the comforts in your hand.  Even the dimensions of the scabbard have to follow certain recurring patterns distilled through careful observations of original antiques.  A slight deviation will upset the desirable proportion and impact the essence of the sword.  Every measurement of our sword has been refined with reference to a large collection of original dimensions. From the detailed shape of a sword’s fittings to the tapering of the blade, all minute details affect the intended handling properties, overall proportion, and the aesthetic of the sword.

KOA: Some great examples of these original swords are in private collections. Are the collectors who own these artifacts genuinely supportive of your work and mission by allowing you access to their collections?

LK Chen: Private collectors in China, like everyone else, acquire their swords through reputable antique dealers.  I have a fair amount of ancient specimens for research purposes in my own collection.  However my goal is to study the originals rather than being a collector per se, so there is no need for me to hold on to repetitive specimens.  There are antique dealers, private collectors, scholars, and archeologists who collaborate with me and they generously provide detailed measurements, valuable pictures, and insightful background information.  If I need a specific piece for reference, I can usually acquire one from reputable dealers and need not rely solely on others’ collectors. 

 

KOA: One of the most interesting effects of offering sword reproductions that faithfully recreate the dimensions and handling properties of the originals is that it allows scholars and martial artists to experiment with recreating the techniques and martial systems used by real warriors in the past. Many of these are not well documented, if at all. Your recreations are being used extensively to reconstruct the historical swordsmanship of the Han Dynasty, not only by yourself but also by some of your customers. Particularly impressive was Youtube martial artist Sinkpoint doing “experimental archeology” with your Roaring Dragon Jian and referencing Eastern Han Dynasty tomb carvings to rediscover a practical and plausible method for the swift unsheathing of the large Chinese longsword.** As a martial artist and a scholar can you describe similar experiences of making discoveries and insights into Chinese swordsmanship that you learned by using your swords?

 LK Chen:  As a swordsman, my original pursuit was to develop my own swordsmanship, and this interest led me to ancient Han Jian and eventually creating the Flying Phoenix for my own use.  Since then, one event led to another, resulting in the portfolio of swords we offer today.  Obviously, I got valuable insights when I got to handle real Han Jians. The way a Han Jian was used was much different than how a Ming and Qing Jian was used.  One prominent characteristic of a Han Jian is its long blade.  As we know, in a one to one combat situation, a longer blade can offer a big advantage. However, on the chaotic battlefield, a longer blade could be broken more easily and its length hinders quick withdrawal and turnarounds to engage surrounding opponents.  Han Jian by itself needs no protective handguard because the Jian was paired with a protective shield or Gou-Rang in a real combat situation. From ancient Han Dynasty stone murals, we often find pictures of Jian in one hand and a Gou-Rang on the other to encounter the opponent’s spear or Ji.  As mentioned in the biography of Cho Pi (crowned prince of Wei during the three kingdom era), he was an avid swordsman and was skilled in using short weapons to engage the long polearms.  These ancient murals and historical records described mostly one-on-one combats.  When two armies met on a battlefield, the dominant weapons were indeed polearms like the Ji, Spear, and Xia (sword on a pole).

 KOA: We sometimes hear that the Chinese government has been known to have an unfavorable attitude to martial arts and weapons in China. So we are curious as to what the attitude toward your business and scholarship is within China.

 LK Chen:  I find that there is a recent tightening of control in the buying and selling of antiques.  In reality, even if more ancient weapons are available for purchase, it will not raise much general interest under the current regulatory environment that forbids functional weapons in public space.  During the initial launch of our company, we offered our swords in the Chinese market and got recognition within a short period of time.  However, as we gained access to the international market, we pretty much withdrew from the more risky and ambiguous Chinese market. As a result, changes in the public interest in ancient Chinese weapons do not concern us as much at this point.  My feeling is that not until the regulation allows normal sales of functional weapons and the general public have more knowledge on real swords, can a healthy market of functional swords exist and good swords to gain proper appreciation.

KOA: From handling your swords personally I think every collector needs to experience holding one of your fast-striking swords such as the Flying Phoenix, Scarlet Sunrise, or the Royal Arsenal Han Dao to truly understand how well optimized a sword can be.  Whether it’s understanding balance and responsiveness and experiencing a sword becoming the extension of the arm, to striking as swift as thought itself. If you could recommend a single sword from your collection to a customer who has never owned a Chinese sword before, which one would it be and why?

LK Chen:  If a customer likes an all-around Han Jian, then the Flying Phoenix will undoubtedly be my first recommendation.  If someone likes a handsome early-period sword, Magnificent Chu Jian would be a great choice.  If customers are looking for a Jian for traditional Chinese martial art practice, then they might consider the upcoming Republican era Snow Peak.  For a double-handed Dao, one would like the Silver Swallow Miao Dao.  So the recommendation depends on what the customer is looking for.

KOA: While much of your emphasis has been on the Han Dynasty, your catalog has expanded into other dynasties of Chinese history such as the Tang, Song, and Ming Dynasties. Where can we expect LK Chen to go next with future swords? Or even with other weapons such as the Ji (dagger axe)?

LK Chen:  Our immediate goal is to offer representative swords throughout most Chinese dynastic periods. If we have the demand and detailed specifications for European swords, there is no reason not to give it a try as well.  For polearms, we are working on Ji right now. 

KOA: And a fun question to finish off our interview. What is your favorite non-Chinese sword and why?

LK Chen:  I like European swords, longswords, rapiers, cavalry sabers… One sword that fascinated me the most is the pirate cutlass because I am interested in the age of global exploration and great seafaring. I wish that someday, I will be lucky enough to work on a pirate cutlass project.

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2 responses to “LK Chen: A Focus on Swordsmanship”

  1. Oh man, LK Chen is quite possibly my favorite forge in the world.

    They have the friendliest staff, their weapons are unparalleled in quality and historical accuracy. They’re easily the Albion Swords of the East. If you’re deciding between a Jian or Dao from LK Chen or another forge, take my advice and try the LK Chen. I doubt you’d be disappointed, but if you are, let them know and they’ll make it right.

    If they start making a European line, then I’ll never have to spend time comparing specs and reviews again.

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