The swords represent the highest level of learning in Wing Chun Kung Fu and are one of the last things learned. As with everything in Wing Chun, the swords are supposed to be custom-made to fit the individual user and his/her style of fighting. The swords you use will not always be the same as your teacher or lineage but might be similar in function.
Each part of the sword has a purpose and how that part is made/designed greatly affects the use. The blade length (typically same as your forearm length), the blade shape (chopping, stabbing, hybrids of both), the grind/edge, the handles, the quillon (stopping, flipping, trapping, hybrids), the knuckle bow shape, etc are all very important considerations. This is one reason we routinely make/stock over 100 different models at any one time. But this also means that we cannot make very many of each model (1-5 of each is normally made), so if you see a sword that you like and fits your style, you should grab it while you can! (if you want to learn more,
check out this .pdf we wrote with our designer Jeffrey Modell that explains all of this and much more)
