Vietnamese Nganh Tien

By Crusader1307

While in European terms, a ''Flail'' was seen as a Class of Medieval weapon which was constructed of two components. A Handle (wood or metal), and an attached chain or rope extension which featured a wide variety of striking Heads. These were used a s blunt force trauma weapons. In 15^th Century Southeast Asia, The Nganh Tien was known as a ''Flail'' weapon. The term ''Flail'' was used differently in Asian Culture, to mean the swinging or overt slicing motion used to operate a device – in this case a small Demi-Sword known as The Tien. These were 2-foot long blades which were segmented throughout. Each segment extended .01-inch from the blade body. Tiops were not sharpened to a point and no blade or edge surface was incorporated. Handles were very much standard to a traditional one of The Era, measuring 8 to 8-inches – made of wood (and well decorated). The purpose of The Tien was to ''whip'' or continually strike a Foe. This would lead to severe soft tissue damage (at least) or broken bones (at best). The Ngahn Tien would be seen in use by certain Palace Guards until the 19^th Century AD.