Note: If you are not familiar with sword
terminology, click the Sword Terminology link above to reference it on a
different page.
WCATS Bat Jum Daos may appear pricey compared to others sold online or
in the stores; but look at it this way: You've invested many years and
dollars into Wing Chun. You've probably spent $20,000 or more towards
Wing Chun studies. You have finally come to the highest level of Wing
Chun, that is, acquiring the knowledge of Bat Jum Dao. So, what is $500
or $1000 in comparison. Can you justify your achievement with a pair of
$100 cheesy Bat Jum Dao? It is understandable that a beginner may want
to spend only $100 or $200 as he's unsure of how long he will train in
Wing Chun, or that he may want to fool a layman into thinking that he's
a high-calibre WC practitioner. However, if you are at the Sifu level,
BJD level, or near either levels, you certainly should not be squawking
over the price of high-quality Bat Jum Daos. WCATS offers you the best
BJDs your money can buy. I have selected the best bladesmiths in
Thailand to make the BJDs. The only other bladesmith who quoted me a
higher price (in fact, twice as much) than my sources, was a man who
boasted owning the only electric ovan in Thailand. It wasn't because his
work was any better, but that he had to compensate for his big
investment in the ovan. My bladesmiths take pride in their profession
and workmanship in traditional sword forging (using coal furnace and
hammer). They will only produce the best.
Looking at the online BJDs,
most of the BJDs range from $50 to $250. Then comes my range, from $700
to $1000. The next price range online is $1100 to $2700. See them for
yourselves at Aaron Cantrell's website www. wcarchive.com.
In my Bat Jum Dao pages, I
have revealed information on BJDs that I was unwilling to share in the
past. However, I'm confident that no one can duplicate or match the
quality, specifications, authenticity and price that I'm offering for my
BJDs.
Click individual pictures to see large-size of the same.
The pictures below show the dagger-style BJDs, using 440C stainless
steel for the blade and guard, and buck horn for the grip. They are
priced at US$800.00 FOB Bangkok, Thailand. (See below for the term
"FOB.") US$100.00 for leather sheath.
The pictures below show the dagger-style BJDs, using 440C stainless
steel for the blade and guard, and ebony for the grip. They are priced
at US$700.00 FOB Bangkok, Thailand. (See below for the term "FOB.")
US$100.00 for leather sheath. Click individual picture to see large
photos.
The pictures below show the dagger-style BJDs, using 440C stainless
steel for the blade and guard, and buffalo horn for the grip. They are
priced at US$750.00 FOB Bangkok, Thailand. (See below for the term
"FOB.") US$100.00 for leather sheath. Click individual picture to see
large photos.
The pictures below show the dagger-style 2-in-1 BJDs, using 440C
stainless steel for the blade and guard, and buffalo horn for the grip.
They are priced at US$750.00 FOB Bangkok, Thailand. (See below for the
term "FOB.") US$100.00 for leather sheath. Click individual picture to
see large photos.
The pictures below show the dagger-style 2-in-1 BJDs, using 440C
stainless steel for the blade and guard, and gaur (wild Indian buffalo)
horn for the grip. The inside steel is brushed instead of polished
(gloss). They are priced at US$750.00 FOB Bangkok, Thailand. (See below
for the term "FOB.") US$100.00 for leather sheath. Click individual
picture to see large photos.
The pictures below show the dagger-style 2-in-1 BJDs, using 440C
stainless steel for the blade and guard, and Thai black water buffalo
horn for the grip. The inside steel is brushed instead of polished
(gloss). They are priced at US$750.00 FOB Bangkok, Thailand. (See below
for the term "FOB.") US$100.00 for leather sheath. Click individual
picture to see large photo.
The pictures below show a leather sheaths for dagger-style BJDs. They
are priced at US$100.00 FOB Bangkok, Thailand. (See below for the term
"FOB.") Click individual picture to see large photo.
The sheath can be made to your design and specifications. The price
will depend on the details and material used.
The pictures below show the flatback knife-shape BJDs, using ATS-34
stainless steel for the blade and guard, and buck horn for the grip.
They are priced at US$800.00 FOB Bangkok, Thailand. (See below for the
term "FOB.") US$100.00 for leather sheath. Click individual picture to
see large photo.
The pictures below show a cross between flatback and dagger style BJDs,
using 440C stainless steel for the blade and guard, and buffalo horn for
the grip. The swords were made for a client who was tall and
long-armed. He preferred the flatback (butcher) style; however, the
extra length in blade would have made the already front-heavy
(butcher-style) swords heavier in the front. To balance the sword
optimally for handling and durability, the grip was "off-set" so it did
not totally flush to the blade's spine, nor centered to the blade's
shoulder, thus, allowing optimal balance. Nonetheless, the handle was
aligned to the tip of the sword for optimal stabbing action.
Similar set is priced at US$750.00 FOB Bangkok, Thailand. (See below for
the term "FOB.") US$100.00 for leather sheath. Click individual picture
to see large photo.
If you are having problems opening the movies, then you may not
have the current version of Quicktime. You can download it for free
at: http://apple.com/quicktime/
download/
The pictures below show an alternative sheath design. Instead of a
shoulder strap, there is a hand/arm strap, which can be used to hang the
swords-and-sheath on the wall, carrying in the arm or hand. It is priced
also at US$100.00
The term FOB is a shipping term for "free on board." It means that the
shipper will be responsible for his local transportation cost to the
freighter (whether it be a ship, plane, or truck), and the buyer will
pay for the freight cost, insurance, his local transportation, and any
applicable taxes, to his destination. The taxes will include custom
clearance and duties if applicable. The FOB term is followed by the name
of the city where the freighter is located. Therefore, "FOB Bangkok
Thailand", will mean that the buyer will pay all costs associated with
the shipping of the purchased goods leaving Bangkok, Thailand.
You may order the BJDs in various combinations. You may choose teak,
ebony, ivory, buck or buffalo horn for the grips (handles); leather,
ebony or teak for the scabbard (sheath); teak scabbard can be
pearl-inlayed to your design; ATS34, 440C, Carbon steel, or Thai Namphi
(read about Thai Namphi in the About Wcats
Bat Chum Dao section) for the blade; and brass or stainless steel
for the dish-guard, quillon, and finials (extension). Note, however,
that stainless steel is recommended for the knuckle bow and finials for
strength, flexibility, and durability. The brass is usually for
cosmetic purposes only.
You may order the blades, with flat-back (lined with the handle) and
curve-edge shape, or single-edge dagger shape. (See About Wing Chun Bat
Jum Dao for the differences.)
You may also order the knuckle-bow to curve and bend from the quillon to
the pommel (as seen in most pictures above), or to bend only at the
corners of a rectangular shaped guard (as seen in flatback BJDs above).
The concept of a round knuckle-bow is to deflect or slip a blade off the
guard when the hand is attacked. The concept of a rectangular guard is
to block such an attack. Both shapes have pros and cons. Deflecting an
attack is more in line with Wing Chun's principle; however, the curve
creates more room inside the guard, which could allow an opponent's
blade to slip in. However, an experienced bladesmith can curve the guard
close to the hand, as seen on my BJDs. It is much more difficult to
forge an acute curve than a large curve or rectangular shape (with
rounded corners), as seen on other vendors' BJDs. The steel needs to be
hot to shape it. It is easy to shape it straight and bend it at fixed
points, which can be done quickly while hot. However, to curve it
tightly and gradually, the steel needs to be heated and forged many more
times; if not careful, the steel will cool quickly, become brittle, and
break under the hammer. Another advantage of the curve guard is the
ability to twirl the sword. Twirling is not part of the Bat Jum Dao form
or drill; however, if your sword is knocked off your grip, but hanging
on your hand, you will be able to twirl it back quicker than if the
guard was rectangular or shaped like a Gothic "D" as seen on other
vendors' BJDs. The curve guard acts like the trigger guard of a handgun.
Apart from the fancy twirling gunslingers do with their pistols, the
real purpose of the trigger guard is to prevent the gun from slipping
off the grip. If it does, the gunslinger is able to twirl the guard
around his index finger, and put the grip back in his palm. He wouldn't
be able to do that if the guard was shaped like a Gothic "D." A
swordsman with a curve knuckle-bow twirls the dish around the back of
his hand to swing the handle/grip back in his palm.
As for the advantages of a rectangular shaped guard, it is advantageous
to the bladesmith, as the shape is much easier to forge. When made close
to the hand, it prevents an opponent's blade from slipping in. Another
advantage is that the straight part of the guard (behind the backhand)
will have more surface than a curved guard when used for pressing an
opponent's weapon against another surface, like a wall or table, for
trapping purposes ... provided the guard is flat; as rounded ones (as
seen on other vendors' BJDs) wouldn't do the trick.
Whether you choose curve or rectangular shape for the knuckle-bow, I
will get them done correctly for practical purposes.
The prices for remixes will vary slightly, except for the use of ivory,
where the price could doubled. Upon your order, I will give you the
exact quote for your design.
In general, a pair of 440C or ATS-34 stainless steel swords with ebony
wood, buck or water-buffalo horn grips will range from at US$700 to
US$800, FOB Bangkok, Thailand. Leather sheath will be around US$100
(depending on the style) and wooden scabbard will be around
$100-$200.
A pair of 440C or ATS-34 stainless steel swords with ivory grips (no
pictures yet) is priced at US$1000.00, FOB Bangkok, Thailand. The ivory
can also be etched to a scrimshaw of your choice. The cost will be
based on the intricacy of your design. When ordering ivory handles, note
that there are restrictions in many countries against importation of
ivory. You will need to check the laws of your country. For your
conscience, note that the ivory I use are obtained from Government
licensed elephant farms ... not from poachers. Licensed elephant farms
trim elephant tusks when they grow too long and cumbersome.
Unfortunately, certificates are not issued with the sale of these
ivories, since countries who ban ivory importation do not allow any
importation, whether they are licensed in the country of origin or
not.
For 2-in-1 BJDs, the price of making is the same as making two
individual swords. Although there is half a handle missing, there is
more work involved in finishing the 2-in-1 process. The price of the
2-in-1 BJDs will be based on the material used. The ones pictured above
sell for US$750.
The custom swords will be completed in 3-4 weeks from the time you make
a 50% payment for the order. The swords will be shipped upon receipt of
the remaining 50% balance. They shall be shipped according to your
instructions (via UPS, FedX, etc.).
The following discounts are available for larger orders:
10% discount for orders between 3 to 5 sets, 15% discount for
orders between 6 to 9 sets, 20% discount for orders between 10 to 20
sets. Discount is applicable only for orders sent to one
location/address.
Orders, order confirmations, and shipping details will be conducted
via email.
Note that I can make BJDs or other swords to your specifications
(measurements, shape, etc.), according to the life-size drawings you
provide.
Before you order or import the goods, contact the responsible government
department of your country for answers on importation of swords,
endangered species goods, or restricted wood products. You are liable
for the laws of your country. If the goods are confiscated, I will not
be held responsible.
The accepted payment method is Paypal, EFT, Money Order, or Bank
Draft. If you don't have an account with Paypal, it is easy to set one
up for free. Paypal payment is secure and encrypted from hacking. You
pay Paypal using your credit card or other means, and Paypal credits my
account. Paypal is the most popular monetary transaction at eBay.
For information on Paypal, go to
www.paypal.com .
Although Paypal supports international transactions, it does not
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