Technically, this wasn't given in the form of a question that I received. This particular query came in another way: an indication that the big saber is to all appearances, well, a "Humongous Godzilla Sword." Since that notion has to be fairly common among those who haven't experienced the saber firsthand, I offered a response meant to educate about it. For all of you readers out there that aren't familiar with the big saber or the point of saber training, hopefully this will make it more clear. For those interested in reading just a little more about an experience of mine with the saber, read this post about how training the saber kept me anchored to training during a very busy work time. If you don't know what the saber is... well, here's a photo of me using it and the rest of the details are filled in below.
My educational response, slightly edited, of course, for a wider audience, with notes in [square brackets] for clarification where needed:
I'd like to take a moment to explain the purpose of the "Humongous Godzilla Sword" that you refer to, which is the bagua dao or dadao (big saber). We don't use it strictly for practical weapons training [the questioner seemed disinterested in training with the saber due to its lack of practicality as a weapon], although that goal is contained in the practice. By this, I mean that learning to fight with the saber is not the primary reason we use it as a training tool, although we do train with it as if fighting with it were a realistic goal of the training. Varying arguments exist about the big saber's historicity as a Chinese weapon that saw actual combat, though it's perfectly clear that in today's day, it isn't in the least bit practical or realistic. Then again, neither are deer horn knives [which were specifically mentioned as a more practical bagua armament] or the overwhelming majority of traditional weapons since they're very clearly weapons without other purpose and therefore subject to severe carry restrictions by law and are all highly inferior to a handgun at most ranges.
Back to task, our primary purpose in training with this very large saber, which weighs anywhere from 7.5 to 10 pounds, depending on the particular sword, and which is balanced at a point several inches out along the blade (making it a bit harder to control but easier to hit hard with) is to develop a couple of strengths. Nowadays, weapons training in Yin Style is primarily centered, to my knowledge, around the goal of gaining development (gongfu), which is what I was meaning when I said "it will make a man out of you" [the questioner was told that saber training would "make a man out of him" in an earlier correspondence]. The saber could be, in a sense, likened to martially applicable, functional-strength weight lifting for YSB practitioners, I think. That, at least, seems to be the primary goal in training with it, a goal we achieve by practicing it with combat-level intent, power, and effort.
Note that the form shown on the Yin Style Bagua saber DVD is called the "Rolling Hand Nine Dragon (Big) Saber" form, and thus combines subtle, small uses of the hand along with the massive weight of the saber. The full form takes 8-12 minutes to complete and is an absolutely incredible strength and endurance workout that fosters a number of training goals for martial artists, discussed briefly in this next paragraph.
The developmental value of the big saber is first and foremost in gaining martially functional strength and endurance, but that's only a small part of it. It is, however, not to be underestimated in that regard as it is a monster to work with for any length of time. In fact, I've seen it take burly gym rats, seasoned "kung fu" and karate guys, and rock-hard Marines and reduce them to feeling wimpy in a matter of a quarter of an hour or less.
In addition, there's the coordination aspect and rather complex footwork of the form to take into account as well as the empty-hand applicability of the vast majority (if not all) of the techniques. Yet another clearly stated goal of training with this large, cumbersome weapon (which we use almost exclusively one-handed, by the way) is to learn to feel and to adapt to a moving weight, learning when to force the saber and when to "listen" to it and go with it. That effort teaches a type of sensitivity and adaptability that greatly enhances one's martial practice, particularly in the context of the "rolling hand" aspect of the form that is on the DVD. One other primary goal of training with the saber is to learn how to get your power and intent out -- meaning both out of your body and out to the end of a large implement.
So, in short and again, think of the saber like YSB weightlifting, and you'll have a better sense of what it is, what it's for, and why so many serious YSB practitioners would not quickly trade or give up their saber training for much in this world, despite its ridiculousness in size, difficulty in transporting, frequency of being mocked or called pointless, and likelihood to create minor injuries (particularly in the wrists and shoulders). Once you're lucky enough to really experience training with it, your forearms and shoulders will never be the same again!
Unfortunately, there aren't any more sabers to be had at present. There will be more, hopefully quite soon, and then more people can experience the value that saber training provides. If and when that occurs, do consider it. As I said before, it will make a man out of you.
Yet again, if you have something to add to this installment of this column, then please do! Also, if you have questions of your own about Yin Style, don't hesitate to ask them.
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