LongQuan has its forging history dated back to the Chinese Spring and Autumn period (770 B.C. - 476 B.C.). Throughout history swords from LongQuan have been carried by nobles, scholars, generals and martial artists alike. Since the Ming Dynasty, LongQuan province was widely regarded as where the best jian in china were forged. LongQuan Jian are renound for the quality of blade, beautiful forged pattern and aesthetic value of their fittings.

Blade Length: 75cm
Handle Length: 17cm (one handed, two handed is available)
Blade thickness at guard: 0.8cm
Blade thickness at midpoint: 0.5cm
Blade thickness at tip: 0.2cm
Point of Balance: 11.5cm

This is our Golden colour fittings. The fittings are made from polished Brass. We make them slightly different now. They are blackened and polished out like the Rayskin version below.

The wood used is a Redwood common in China. We no longer use it because it expands and contracts too much. These pictures are examples of what a wood finish will look like in this style of Jian. When you make an order we will contact you to discuss they types of wood available.

The Jian is displayed well on this stand. It would make a good display piece in the home. These stands can also be bought from us. Please contact sales@masterforge.co.uk

The Jianba (handle) is pegged through to ensure a safe and sturdy fitting. The Jianba is polished smooth and provides good comfort in the hand. We can make different types of Jianba for you. We can wrap it in cord or silk. We can also wrap it in Rayskin.

The two grooves in the blade reduce the weight and make the Jian more flexible. This can be chosen for people who are slender or wushu practitioners that need a fast sword. The Jianpao (tassel) is Jade with cord fittings. This is a Rosewood version.

You can see the deep grooves run parallel along the Jianti (blade). Compare the fittings here with the updated Rayskin ones belowand you can see there has been a good improvement.

The grooves run almost to the Jian Jian'er (tip). Many different grooves are available. You can have a single groove for example. We can work with you needs as our focus is on customisation, not mass manufacture. We can also inscrible artwork into the blade.

This is a two handed version. The length of the blade is longer than normal as it will be used for Taiji Quan. The longer blade is heavier so the exercises are more difficult. A shorter Jian is often used when performing cutting practice (shizan). There is a different Jianpao (tassel). There are several colours to choose from and different styles. This is an Ipe wood version.

This is the Black Rayskin version. The Rayskin is polished on the Jianqiao (scabbard) to make it smooth and enhance its beauty. Rayskin choices can be seen at the bottom of the page. The stand is a Japanese floral design that can display three swords.

The stand can display the Jian and Jianqiao. This is ideal for forge folded blades as the beauty in the blade can be shown and displayed.

The intricate fittings can be clearly seen. The Black Rayskin Jianqiao (scabbard) is shown well. You can see the scales clearly and also the smooth surface reflecting the light. Rayskin is a popular choice

Rayskin is a decorative covering with a distinctive pattern of white circles against a coloured background, made from the skin of a Rayfish. Rayfish skin is covered with round, closely set bumps that look like small pearls. To make the decorative covering polished and smooth the surface is ground flat, leaving a pattern of small circles where the bumps had been. The skin is then dyed from the flesh side so that the dye coloured the flesh but not the white circles.

Rough Rayskin is common for the handle of swords because it provides a firm grip like sandpaper. It can get wet and still give you a strong grip. It is also durable and slow wearing. Rayskin makes a great alternative to cord wrapped grips and polished scabbards.

Polished Black Rayskin	Rough Black Rayskin	Polished Red Rayskin	Rough Red Rayskin
Polished White Rayskin is also available.
Polished White Rayskin	Rough White Rayskin	Polished Green Rayskin	Rough Green Rayskin