I saw an ad for the bian in a kung fu magazine yesterday but I can't find much about it on the web. How whip-like (flexible) is it? What arts use it?

id like to know more about that, too. as far as i know, bian is mandarin for whip. ive seen indiana jones' style whips called the bian, and ive seen batons with the same name, so i have no idea what the story is there.

This site seems to imply that it's a practice substitute for a sword:
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/martialartsmart/45-77.html

The book "Ancient Chinese Weapons: A Martial Artist's Guide" by Yang, Jwing-Ming refers to the Bian Gan Whip Rod (Hard Whip), described as "only a piece of rod as long as a saber or sword" and the Ying Bian Whip (Hard Whip), described as similarly but possibly jointed.

i checked out that link. i have never even seen one of those up close before, so your guess is as good as mine. looks neat though, order it and let me know what its like. actually, my teacher probably has one in the warehouse, i will let you know by next week if i find one. but just understand, that if i make him dig it out, im probably going to have to suffer through a painful demo on your behalf.

wish me luck

Originally posted by theneuhauser

but just understand, that if i make him dig it out, im probably going to have to suffer through a painful demo on your behalf.


I appreciate your sacrifice for my knowledge!

If you're interested in buying one, i'm sure that if you check http://www.ebay .com (http://www.ebay.com) every once in a while, you'll find one!:asian:




Note: I've heard that the bian is used for Taiji Quan:)

You can find a bian available for purchase at the following link:http://shop.store.yahoo.com/martialartsmart/45-77.html

hey -ador

i spoke to my instuctor, and not much luck.
he describes bian as a short stick with a short metal whip attached to the end. he didnt have one on hand to show me though. that weapon uses short stick technique combined with whip cracking stuff for greater distance and speed. actually, it sounds fairly effective.

the language barrier reduced us to making drawings of the item that you linked us to, and he said that he had no experience with that item, i am assuming that it is a fairly contemporary device.

Thanks theneuhauser! I think I have some idea now.

hey -ador

i spoke to my instuctor, and not much luck.
he describes bian as a short stick with a short metal whip attached to the end. he didnt have one on hand to show me though. that weapon uses short stick technique combined with whip cracking stuff for greater distance and speed. actually, it sounds fairly effective.

the language barrier reduced us to making drawings of the item that you linked us to, and he said that he had no experience with that item, i am assuming that it is a fairly contemporary device.

i would be interested in knowing the name of the forms that use this for whipping, or even the style itself.