wayne hansen wrote:I only point that out to show tai chi was not lacking
I never said Tai Chi sword was lacking, per se, just that the sword-fighting context it prepares you for is limited, and that considering the wudang form a complete practice is fantasy.
I'd also argue that it's less like a rapier, particularly as modern fencing goes, and more like a western fencing sabre.
Largely going back to the design differences, i.e. the rapier is a point stabbing weapon only, never really had an edge.
The jian, having the razor section, cleaver section, and dull section, allows for the stabbing of the rapier, slicing, AND the hacking and chopping of the sabre, AND a thick, blunt blocking/catching/grasping surface.