• Adult Programs
  • Adult Programs
  • Benefits of martial arts training for adults
  • Shaolin Kung Fu
  • The Shuai Chiao style taught at our school (takedowns and throws)
  • About Wing Chun Gong Fu at the Las Vegas Kung Fu Academy
  • Seven Star Praying Mantis style taught here
  • Chin Na Kung Fu (Joint Locking)
  • Tai Chi Chuan Kung Fu
  • Escrima, Eskrima, Kali or Arnis class
  • Jeet Kune Do Classes
• Kids Programs
  • Kids Programs
  • About the Little Dragons (ages 4--6) at the Las Vegas Kung Fu Academy
  • About the Juniors class(ages 7-14) at the Las Vegas Kung Fu Academy
  • We can host your birthday party at the Las Vegas Kung Fu Academy
• Videos
• About Our School
  • Our philosophy of teaching
  • Testimonials to our school (Our Success stories)
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Some of the senior students/instructors
• Articles about martial arts
• Lion Dance / Performance Team
• Photo Gallery
• Join Our School / Contact Us

Sharpening the Kung Fu Blade

Sometimes when I'm training I hear, 'I already know that', or 'we're doing that again' and I think back to a story I was told. A fellow martial artist once gave me an example of training martial arts to the making of a sword. To begin making a sword one starts with a crude piece of metal, sometimes even a block of metal. The sword smith then stokes it in the fire and begins to hammer it down and shape it. This is the same as a person who begins training Kung Fu. Technique is crude and needs correction.

With time and effort the sword beings to take form, time being the most important aspect. A well-made sword takes time. Many times in the fire, cooling, hammering, folding, reshaping, repeated over and over. Every time this process is done the sword gains strength. Just as in Kung Fu, thousands of repetitions, forms done over and over, corrections, fine-tuning, more practice. Proficient Kung Fu mastery and well-made swords both take time.

Once the sword is made the true purpose begins to be a reality. Sharpening the blade of the sword changes it from a heavy shaped piece of metal to a sword. After the foundation is set the sword can be ready to cut. Understanding and practicing the techniques of Kung Fu thousands of times makes the practitioner ready, the little details are the sharpening of the blade. Without the thousands of repetitions to create a solid foundation, the little details would be useless. Just like a sword without a strong foundation behind the blade, it will break and be discarded. No matter how sharp it was when used it fell apart.

After the sword is made, it must be maintained or it will become a useless piece of metal. A blade will become dull from constant use, so it must be constantly sharpened. If it is left alone it will rust from lack of use. This is the same with Kung Fu. Forms, drills, stance, all these are for sharpening your Kung Fu. You are the sword, without constant maintenance your Kung Fu becomes dull and rusty. There is a saying that a sword is only as good as the person who carries it, a sword alone is just a piece of metal. Kung Fu is the sword you carry in your body and mind. No beginning and no ending, constant sharpening of the blade is the path to mastery.

How You Can Get Involved With Our School

See what we are all about, simply fill out the online information request form and a instructor will contact you within 24 hours. We will make sure to take the time to speak with you about what you want to gain from martial arts specifically. We also make it a point to make sure you are comfortable with our staff as well as our studio.

Back to Top