chinese weapon traditions

[jape]

One of my life-long interests has been hand weapons, knives, swords and bows and arrows. It is a simple and not very learned hobby and now I only keep a few favourites but Euphonius' thread on the muffler workman/artisan reminded me that many cultures still have a tradition of hand-made weapons. I have seen some chinese weapons, usually called kung fu weapons of various kind. Most that I have seen are not very good, over adorned and ceremonial looking. Similar to the cheap replicas of medieval swords one may see screwed onto a plaque in a friend's bar! Functionally useless or even dangerous. I know there are many learned books I could find but I wondered what our Chinese or long time China dwelling expats on this forum may have seen in various regions? Many of the good quality reproduction, functional weapons, especially swords and knives, come from Chinese makers such as Paul Chen, headquartered in Dailian, which is in Northeast China, on the Yellow Sea. Some of the blades are hand finished and a few still handmade. 34 sword masters work there, with ancillary workers. History tells us that the Chinese taught the Japanese ... who then came up with clay forging and tempering by thrusting into the body of peons ... but we see few historical Chinese designs.

And I have some questions! In UK, Australia etc. any 'tradition' of such things has become socially acceptable only as a penknife or perhaps a hunting sheaf-knife, but they still exist in one form or another in that way. In all cultures worldwide there are still weapon makers, perhaps working as blacksmiths and culinary blade makers keeping the traditions and methods alive. Amongst my friends I have a number that make blades from bar stock or re-use and re-temper scrap steels.

Many good quality tools and weapons available worldwide also come from other second and third world countries where these 'arts' or cultural artifacts have not been completely lost with machine-made or imported products. For example, I have wonderful, true damascus bladework from Pakistan, a very sharp, very strong sword (reproduction medieval) made in China and a few examples of other blades and arrowheads I like, also made in China. The quality can be truly excellent and has been well tested in use (not against humans, for that I stuck to issue blades)!

What have you China travelers seen in the way of blades in daily use - or did any of the cultural changes of the last or previous centuries stop the 'man in the street (or field)' from wearing/owning them? I saw one picture on here of a blade carried in the belt from one region. Is there a tradition of back street blade makers still, similar to what one may have seen in Indonesia, India or elsewhere? if so, I would love to hear (and see pics) of it. I might even be interested in getting an example or two for my collection!