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WABUKAN Arsenal · Knives and blades · China

Deer horn knives

Pairs of crescent blades held in the middle, the signature weapon of baguazhang, used while walking in circles.

Deer horn knives
Deer horn knives WABUKAN illustration

Also known as

鹿角刀 · lù jiǎo dāo; zǐ wǔ yuānyang yuè (mandarin-duck knives)

Origin and history

Deer horn knives are a pair of crossed crescent blades associated with baguazhang, the art founded by Dong Haichuan in 19th-century Beijing. They are used while walking the circle, turning and changing direction.

Martial arts that use it

Baguazhang

Construction

Two crescent-shaped steel blades crossed to form four points, with a wrapped grip in the middle, about 30–40 cm across. They are held one in each hand.

Basic techniques

Training

Short-blade training starts with trainers made of wood, aluminium or rubber. Students drill angles of attack, grips (forward and reverse), checking the opponent’s arm and footwork, then flow drills with a partner. Live blades are kept for solo forms by experienced practitioners, if at all.

Safety

Use training knives for all partner work and eye protection for fast drills. Never mix live and training blades in the same session, store blades sheathed and out of reach of children.

Legality (general information)

Swords, knives and other edged weapons are regulated very differently from country to country (and sometimes from region to region): owning one at home is often allowed, while carrying it in public, buying it under a certain age or importing it may be restricted or banned. Practitioners usually transport them cased, out of reach and straight between home and dojo. This is general information, not legal advice: check the law where you live.

Did you know?

The weapon has almost no handle to hold away from the body: the hands are surrounded by blades, which suits baguazhang’s close turning footwork.

More weapons

Kris Karambit Golok Balisong Bolo Katar

Sources

Original WABUKAN text, written from these cross-checked sources (facts, not sentences).

  1. Wikipedia — Deer horn knives
  2. Wikipedia — Baguazhang