Guan (or Gwan) Dao

[mantis]

i wonder what is the difference in combat (not in shape, i can see what the difference is) between a guan dao and a pudao (horse cutter).

Does the useage differ between these 2 weapons?

i'll ask in another way, just to be clear. Can I practice pudao forms with a gwan dao or vice versa?

thanks

[7starmantis]

Isn't the "horse cutter" much smaller than a guan dao?

I didn't think they were interchangeable, but I'm sure with a little modification the forms could be done with either weapon.

7sm

[mantis]

that's what i thought too
however, when i was looking online to buy a horse cutter i found ones as tall as guan dao's. i know the ones we have in class have a smaller rod than guan dao!

we're learning the pudao in the new curriculum, i cant wait until i see a horse on the street... they better run as fast as they can :)

[dmax999]

I've done a pu dao form but never a guan dao form. I don't see any reason why the form I did couldn't be done with a guan dao. Many times different weapons use many similar techniques with some techniques being different. Ex. a spear and staff share many similar techniques while a spear has additional ones that a staff does not.

Just from memory though... doesn't a guan dao have a pointed bottom that can be used like a spear while the pu dao doesn't? That would be one hint to differences of useage.

[mantis]

Ah... i have to apologize here
i mixed up a pudao with a horse cutter!

a pudao is as tall as a gwan dao, and it has a blade that is shorter than the blade of a "horse cutter". the horse cutter is called zhang ma dao or zhanmado.

i was about to buy the wrong thing!

knowing that Gwan Dao has nothing to do with a "horse cutter" (zhangmadao).

[7starmantis]

Ah, ok that makes more sense.

7sm

[dmax999]

Thinking about it more...

Wasn't the Guan Dao supposed to be used from on a horse?

[mantis]

yep
i think guan dao let's u split a person if you lay that thing on it.
but the horse cutter (zhan ma dao) is to cut the legs of the horse when you're on your feet

[Xue Sheng]

I found this and it is the Chen Guan Dao form. Obviously this is not me; I am considerably older and not Chinese.

Taiji Long Broadsword (Guan) - Chen Style form
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_yzKs-CXrI&mode=related&search=

[mantis]

I found this and it is the Chen Guan Dao form. Obviously this is not me; I am considerably older and not Chinese.

Taiji Long Broadsword (Guan) - Chen Style form
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_yzKs-CXrI&mode=related&search=
wow that's amazing. this kids is really in control!!

[Xue Sheng]

wow that's amazing. this kids is really in control!!

Yup, one heck of a lot more than I had back when I was working with the Guan.

And better yet, I think he's 10 years old. I didn't have that control in my 30s with the Guan

[Elizabeth]

For what it's worth, here's my newbie experience with the weapons interchangeability: In the the guan dao class I recently started my sifu assigned (what I now know is) a pu dao to many beginning students (like me) instead of the gwan dao. He seemed to be basing his decision primarily on the weight of the weapon -- i.e. using the pu dao as a lightweight gwan dao.

[Jade Tigress]

Hi Elizabeth! Welcome to Martial Talk. :)

[Xue Sheng]

For what it's worth, here's my newbie experience with the weapons interchangeability: In the the guan dao class I recently started my sifu assigned (what I now know is) a pu dao to many beginning students (like me) instead of the gwan dao. He seemed to be basing his decision primarily on the weight of the weapon -- i.e. using the pu dao as a lightweight gwan dao.


Cool thanks, and welcome.

I have no idea how heavy the Gwan I was training with weighed, as I have said before it always ended up feeling like it weighed a ton before I was done, but I have not worked with it for a long time. The only thing I can find on weight is that Guan's Guandao weighed between 100 and 200 pounds. I am certain the one I used was not that heavy.

How much does the pu dao weigh?

[Elizabeth]

Thanks for the warm welcomes!

Regarding the weight of the pu dao: I don't remember what the specifics are -- but my next class is later this morning so I'll check then.

[Jade Tigress]

Thanks for the warm welcomes!

Regarding the weight of the pu dao: I don't remember what the specifics are -- but my next class is later this morning so I'll check then.


Cool. Let us know what you find out. :)

[Xue Sheng]

Thanks for the warm welcomes!

Regarding the weight of the pu dao: I don't remember what the specifics are -- but my next class is later this morning so I'll check then.


Thanks, I will look for your next post.