SPECIALTY KNIVES & HAND AXES

Specialty Knives also known as Hand Axes are unique bladed weapons trained at Imperial Combat Arts in Denver CO. These traditional weapons are often used in pairs and are superior to standard combat knives in that they are capable of protecting the arm, and can effectively engage larger battlefield weapons. These fast melee weapons were most often used for their ability to be concealed and yet still be used in battle, their use in tight spaces like sailing ships, or simply for their ease to carry on a daily basis.

DEER HORN KNIVES
鹿角刀

LU CHIAO TAO | LUJIAODAO
These weapons are the primary specialty knives that are trained at Imperial Combat Arts. These blades are fully sharpened save the inner side of the lowest points on each side of the grip. The locking and turning use of these weapons is where they get their name "Deer Horn Knives", in their similarity to how deer lock horns when fighting other deer. These are also called Duck Blades or Crescent Moon Knives.
Enter Page> Deer Horn Knives

HAND AXE
端​戟

TUAN CHI | DUAN JI
These weapons are the crescent axe blade of a Chi 戟 or Chinese Halberd without the staff of the pole-arm and instead a full spear tip, two small thrusting and controlling blades. These fast weapons are effective at controlling larger weapons and are very sharp for all manner of cutting, chopping, slicing, and have four distinct thrusting points. These were likely originally fashioned from a stripped down halberd.

WIND & FIRE WHEELS
风​火​轮

FENGHOULUN
​These weapons feature a very sharp cutting circle that is sharpened only on the outside, and two flame like blade that extend from the sides of the guard. Some of these weapons also feature various types of points that extend from the cutting circle. These knives focus more on cutting with a diminished thrusting ability when compared to Deer Horn Knives but can still effectively control longer weapons.

SUN & MOON KNIVES
​阳​月​刀

YANGYUEDAO
​These weapons are likely designed after the Indian Chakram, but are used more for for hand-to-hand combat than for throwing and feature a inner hand guard to allow for the controlling and trapping of opponents weapons and arms. This classic crescent guard and both the inner and outer edge of the circle are sharpened. If designed properly this weapon can also be thrown in combat.

BUTTERFLY KNIVES
​​蝴蝶雙刀​

HUTI SHUANG TAO | HUDIESHUANGDAO
​These Knives also known as Butterfly Swords, are a pair of light swords carried in a single scabbard and were used first on ships at sea. Unlike most modern Butterfly Swords, true combat Butterfly Swords have a effective thrusting point. The blades of these swords are about the length of the forearm allowing for fast techniques and greater maneuverability when fighting in close quarters combat. Enter Page>

SICKLE KNIFE
​鐮​​刀

LIEN TAO | LIAN DAO
The Sickle Knife, also known as a Tiger Claw Knife or Karambit, is the smallest traditional Sickle weapon. Like other Combat Sickles it began as a small farming tool used to cut roots, thresh grain, and dig holes for planting. Evolving into a weapon its now most often sharpened on both sides allowing also for slashing as well as hooking. Additionally as a weapon its made from weapon grade materials. 

SHORT SABERS
雙​刀

AI SHUANG TAO | AISHUANGDAO
These twin sabers that are crafted to fit together in the same sheath are very short versions of the Willow Leaf Saber and Goose Style Swords that have traditional Chinese guards and pommels. In contrast the "Butterfly swords", which were weapons designed for close quarters combat on ships at sea, are fitted with European style navy guards, and feature a much different shape of blade.

THREE POINT KNIFE
​叉​​劍

CH'A CHIEN | CHAJIAN
Not to be confused with the similar looking Sai which is a blunt tipped non-sharpened police weapon in Asia, this knife if designed off of Military Forks and features a sharpened central blade with two signature points on each side that constitute a guard.
Like the other specialty knives on this page these short knives have additional points used to control longer weapons so the other blade can attack. 

SPECIALTY KNIFE DRILLS

Drills are an important part of training Specialty Knives. These drills teach primary grips, stances, maneuvers, cuts, chops, slashes, blocks, parries, and thrusts, and build these important movements into the body as a second nature reflex. Weapon drills are done in the air, vs partners, and against dummies. The intricate artwork painted on the floor of the school at Imperial Combat Arts is designed for students to drill attacks and defenses against multiple opponents in all 8 directions. 

SPECIALTY KNIFE FORMS

Weapon forms are one of the primary ways Masters pass on the ancient knowledge of these unique weapons to the next generation of Warriors. These challenging forms teach dynamic flow, maneuvers, weapon handling, and numerous proven and effective techniques. Every movement and technique in the spear forms at Imperial Combat Arts relate directly to combat, and are trained dynamically in sets, and matching. 

SPECIALTY KNIFE SETS

Dynamic sets allow students to learn effective techniques and Specialty Knife applications that could never be used in sparring. Even with full pads a training weapons can cause serious injury, therefore mastering these weapons requires a skilled and dedicated partner with focus and control. At Imperial Combat Arts weapon sets are done vs multiple opponents, with realistic training weapons, as well as with padded weapons.

SPECIALTY KNIFE TARGETS

Throughout history target practice has been a crucial part of weapon development, as it still is today. In all parts of the world Straw Men, and Wooden Pell's of various types, have been the primary targets used to practice attacks and maneuvers. Imperial Combat Arts indoor/outdoor school has a full array of traditional and modern training dummies, accuracy rings, cutting posts, and dynamically moving targets designed specifically for weapon training.

SPECIALTY KNIFE` MATCHING

Aggressive matching with training weapons is an important part of preparing for the chaos and fray of battle. Most all matching done at our school, whether armed or unarmed, is done versus multiple opponents. These intense matching sessions are designed to be painful, yet safe, and push practitioners ever forward in skill. Aggressive Spear matching can only be done safely with padded weapons and armor and a degree of control.

SPECIALTY KNIFE VS OTHER WEAPONS

There are numerous traditional sets to teach Specialty Knives interaction with other weapons. Many schools only spar with like weapons when in actuality most fights are mismatched, and some of these pairings are legendary such as Sword vs Deer Horn Knives. Additionally learning how to use two short weapons against a long weapon transfers to the empty by teaching concepts related to fighter opponents with superior reach.