Lu Jiao Dao
鹿角刀 · lùjiǎodāo
Literally: deer horn knives
Also known as: yuānyāngyuè
Paired Chinese knives of two crossed steel crescents with four claw-like points, associated above all with baguazhang.
Quick Facts
ChinaAbout the weapon
Lu jiao dao (鹿角刀), deer horn knives, are also called crescent-moon knives or mandarin duck blades (鴛鴦鉞, yuanyangyue). The weapon is associated mainly with the soft style baguazhang, known for its wide range of weapons. Where and from what period it comes, we have not been able to establish from the sources. Each knife consists of two crossed steel crescents. This creates four curved, claw-like points, one of which is elongated as the main blade. The fighter grips the wrapped centre of the elongated crescent, while the other crescent protects the hand. There are also pairs with crescents of unequal size. The knives are practised in pairs, one in each hand. They serve mainly to catch an opponent's weapon, to bind or break it, to disarm and to fight at close range, including against longer weapons such as spears, swords and sabres. They are fairly short, so they could easily be hidden under traditional Chinese clothing.
Parts of the weapon
- Blade
- Grip
- Guard