In the Korean language, the generic term for sword is kum or gum. And the best known sword is the jim kum, very similar to the katana, however, there are several other swords in Korean martial arts.

 

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To understand this statement, it is important to say that - when it comes to martial arts-  Japan, Korea and China have more in common than you think. As far as swordmaking is concerned, the first Japanese and Korean swords were straight and double-edged. The move to  the curved swords are not yet fully cleared. Some say that between the 3rd and 5th centuries  sword-making technologies learned in China passed to Korea and then to Japan. Others claim that Chinese influence came through the Mongol invasions between the years 1162 and 1227.  Although the Mongols failed to conquer Japan, various technologies from Genghis Khan arrived in Japan, dominating sword design in the Kamakura region. Kamakura was Japan's political center for about a century after 1192.  

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Anyway,  there is a lot of doubt whether Japanese swords (especially the katana) were influenced by the Korean ones or just the opposite (since Japan militarily occupied Korea for over 30 years). We believe that this discussion is useless today and that both schools benefited from the exchange that took place. Traditionally, traditional schools have their own characteristics: Korean swords are more impressive in their cuts (they even cut more delicate objects, such as paper). The Japanese - despite not having such a sharp cut, are much more resistant in combat. Today, unfortunately, most swords (both Japanese and Korean) are manufactured in China.

Basically, we have 2 types of wooden training sword:

•   Mok Kum- The wooden sword. Used to make forms and combat moves. It would be the Korean boken. It is divided into 6 parts:  

1.- Kum Ko: The Point is used to stab. It's the kensen of the boken

2.- Kum Nal: The thread is used to cut. In Japanese it is Monouchi.

3.- Kum Tung: The Back is used to support the sword. It is the Shinogi

4.- Kum Maki: hand protector, used to protect the hands. The Japanese tsuba

5.- Kum Charu: handle, used to suspend the sword. The tsuka.  

6.- Kum Rae: sides, used for defense.

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•   Chukto/Jukto-  Bamboo sword similar to shinai. Used for combat with physical contact in experienced classes at national and international level.

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Metal swords: 검

Metal swords are used only by black belts over 21 years old. With him one learns to have great dexterity in the cuts, practicing with mature bamboo, straw bundles, etc. There are several types of metal sword. One of the reasons for this is that in Korea the sword plays a major role in religious and diplomatic rites. So there were swords forged not for combat, but just to prove the loyalty of a ruler or a military commander.  for your sovereign.  

Yeoh do

• Yeoh do. (예도)- It has a wide and long leaf (almost 1 meter), slightly curved with a 90 cm cuff.  united in a thick, bat-like fist. Its use was reserved for generals and emperors. In China, this weapon is called a kwan. It was used mainly by cavalry due to its handling, making it easier to break the ranks of the enemy cavalry. Today it has only a ceremonial function;

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San soo do

• San soo do (쌍수도; 双手刀) - It was a straight sword with a blade of approximately 1.30 meters. It was one of the most common swords among the Korean military. From this design, modern Korean weapons were developed;

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• Ssang gum - Means "double swords" referring to a mating set. The smaller one was called the wae gum, which was a set of medium-sized swords, larger than a dagger but smaller than a sword. They were very popular among the Korean imperial court, and could be easily hidden ​

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