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WABUKAN Arsenal · Swords · China

Hook swords

Swords with a hooked tip and a crescent guard. Two can be linked by the hooks to reach further.

Hook swords
Hook swords WABUKAN illustration

Also known as

鈎 · hǔ tóu gōu (tiger-head hooks); shuang gou

Origin and history

Hook swords are a pair of straight swords with a hooked tip, used in northern Chinese styles and modern wushu. Their documented history is relatively late, mostly Qing dynasty, and they are known mainly from martial arts practice rather than from battlefield use.

Martial arts that use it

Kung Fu Wushu Taolu

Construction

Each sword has a straight blade ending in a hook, a crescent-shaped guard over the hand and a pointed pommel; total length about 90–100 cm. The two hooks can be linked to swing one sword by the other.

Basic techniques

Training

Beginners learn grip, posture and footwork first, then cutting and thrusting lines in solo forms or drills, usually with a wooden or blunt trainer. Paired drills with a partner come next, at slow speed, before any free sparring with protective gear.

Safety

Train with wooden, blunt or club-approved trainers; keep live blades for experienced practitioners under supervision. Check the blade, handle and fittings before every session, keep a clear space of at least two weapon lengths and never cut towards people.

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?

Every part is sharp: the hook, the blade, the crescent guard and the pommel, so the weapon cuts in many directions.

More weapons

Krabi / daab Dha Talwar Khanda Kampilan Longsword

Sources

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

  1. Wikipedia — Hook sword