27. The Historic Chinese Jian Sword
Jian blades usually have what is known as significant distal taper, or decreased thickness. The edge of the blade is only about half as thick as its base near the handle. That is combined with subtle profile taper, or decreased width from the blade’s base to its tip. Typical jians intended for one-handed use usually had blades from 18 to 31 inches long, and most often had blades in the neighborhood of 28 inches. They usually weighed about one and a half pounds to two pounds.
Jian blades are comprised of three sections: the tip, middle, and root. The tip typically curves smoothly to a point, and is used to thrust, slash, or make quick cuts. The middle part of the blade is used for deflection, or to draw across an opponent’s flesh to slice him, or to simply cleave him. The jian’s root, the part closest to the handle, is used mostly for defense. Some two-handed jians have also been recovered, that were significantly longer and heavier than average.
