Double Swords

Double swords, or Butterfly Pair, are as simple as two dao swords that are wielded especially for close combat. They originated from southern parts of China, and are known by many names, including wu dip do, and butterfly knives. Double axes, double broadswords and tiger hook swords are also used for the same purpose, though the lattermost was used mostly in Northern China. One interesting thing about the wu dip do is that they were never used by the military in any known dynasty.

Many martial arts use the double swords for its versatility. The Wing Chun martial arts, for example, use the Butterfly Pair because it is said to be the closest thing to empty-hand combat. Hung Ga practitioners are trained to handle these swords as well. These are usually only just an arm’s length. They can be hidden inside the sleeves and boots, and monks were allowed to carry them. Slashing and cutting are two ways to wield the double swords.

The double axes evolved from being a common tool to a weapon. Double broadswords are used both in performances and combat. Tiger hook swords, which are known to have originated from Northern China, are made for stabbing and slashing at short range, penetrating and cutting at medium range, and sweeping and slashing for long range.