How much does a Thai sword weigh?

Anyone who deals with the subject of Thai sword or sword fighting in general knows: The choice of the practice weapon for regular sword training can have serious impact on the type and quality of the acquired movement patterns.

If the weapon is too heavy, there may occur unintentional injuries (for oneself and others). If, on the other hand, the exercise weapon is too light, it can happen that movement patterns are learned that are not practicable with steel swords.

Rapid changes of direction and frantic movements from the wrist can work excellently, for example with bamboo, rattan or polymer sticks, but not with heavy bladed weapons made of steel.

For stage fencers, cosplayers, LARPers and show fighters (see Krabi Krabong), the use of lightweight replica weapons and rattan sticks may therefore be perfectly sufficient. The same applies, of course, to all those whose training does not necessarily aim to wield a heavy war sword sooner or later (e.g. stick fighters from Escrima, Kali or Arnis).

However, when it comes to authentic Thai sword fighting, we recommend to not use rattan or bamboo and resort to something heavier instead.

For a better understanding of the different weights, we have created two comparison videos. The rattan sticks are on loan from the FMA section of the Kampfkunstschule Neukölln.