Also known as sword breakers or killing rods, the Shuang Jian 雙鐧 (Double Short Rods / Sword Breakers) are traditional Chinese paired weapons originally forged in steel, often shaped with a tapered square section or stylized to resemble bamboo rods. Compact, solid, and fast, they were designed for powerful close-range use: blocking, trapping, striking, and disarming.

These weapons do not refer to the straight sword jian 劍, but rather to jian 鐧—a type of blunt iron club used historically by soldiers, guards, and law enforcers. The square or segmented design helped concentrate force and could potentially damage an opponent’s weapon, hence the Western nickname “sword breaker.”

In martial practice, Shuāng Jiàn allow for paired-hand work with fast, fluid strikes and cross-blocking techniques at close quarters. In contrast to Kali, their tapered tip allows efficient thrust techniques.

At Santösh Weapons, our wooden versions are crafted from dense hardwood, shaped for heavy contact while preserving the traditional look and handling. Each pair is custom-made with your preferred length, weight, taper, grip, and guard profile. Contact the craftsman David Santösh for free information about all possible options.