List of Wooden Swords

Sword fighting dates back thousands of years. From the samurai of Japan to the knights of Europe, swordsmanship has played an important role on battlefields. Warriors were revered for their skills with this weapon. Although swords are not widely used in battle today, you can still practice sword-fighting techniques. Martial arts and other combat classes often teach these techniques. A sharp blade, however, can cause fatal injuries. Wooden swords help you practice in a safe manner.

  1. Bokken

    • The samurai are legendary warriors from Japan's early history. These warriors are famous for their skills with their single-edged sword. The samurai could stop enemies with a single slice from this deadly weapon. Samurai techniques are still practiced today in martial arts studios around the world. To prevent serious injuries, the bokken is often used in practice sessions. The bokken is a wooden version of a samurai sword. A bokken is typically about 40 inches long. Some bokkens include a wooden scabbard. You can use this wooden sword to practice combat techniques against a training partner or to practice choreographed routines.

    Chinese Broadsword

    • Stanford Wushu states that the Chinese broadsword was once the hand weapon of military foot soldiers. The broadsword is a single-edged, curved weapon. Fast, powerful techniques can be performed with this sword. Experienced kung fu practitioners often use metal broadswords to perform dynamic martial arts forms. If you are a new kung fu student, a wooden broadsword can be a safer option. Wooden broadswords are about 33 inches long.

    Tai Chi Sword

    • Tai chi's slow, relaxing movements can appear harmless. This Chinese martial art's movements, however, are based on fighting techniques. Tai chi also uses a sword in several of its routines. The tai chi sword is a straight, double-edged weapon. The sword also has a sharp point. Tai Chi Essentials says that this "gentleman of weapons" has been used to practice forms for 2,500 years. You can safely practice these forms with a wooden tai chi sword. These wooden swords are about 36 inches long.

    Knight's Sword

    • Swordsmanship was also an important skill in medieval Europe. Medieval knights learned how to fight with their swords while wearing heavy armor. A knight's specialized fighting skills were often learned in secrecy. The knight's sword skills can be seen today in films and at Renaissance festivals. If you want to try your hand at this type of swordsmanship, you can use a wooden knight's sword. This wooden weapon is about 42 inches long.