A Sri Lankan version of the urumi weapon
In the pantheon of insane weapons, it’s easy to look at more modern offerings like the PHASR or vomit gun. But one of the fiercest and most difficult weapons to use is the ancient whip sword known as the urumi.
The urumi may very well be one of the most dangerous melee weapons ever — not only for foes but also for the person using the weapon. While the weapon hasn’t been used as such for generations, it is still wielded in demonstrations and Indian martial arts.
This unusual blade is essentially a bendy piece of sharp metal that the user wields like a whip. Here is a look at a fighting demonstration with the urumi sword.
The urumi, which translates to curling blade and is sometimes known as the aara or chuttuval, comes from southern India where it was used as a weapon back in the day. Eventually, it fell out of favor but became incorporated into Kalaripayattu martial arts, one of the oldest fighting styles in the world.
Those practicing the martial arts of Kalaripayattu have to work their way up to the weapon because it’s incredibly difficult to master. Even just watching someone wield one of these things makes my fingers and ears fall off.
At its simplest, the weapon is a single strand of metal that’s sharp enough to cut flesh. It’s attached to a handle which features a knuckle-guard and thumb-guard. However, over time, the design of the urumi has split off into several iterations. Some are much longer than the usual 4 to 5.5 feet and width of about 1 inch.
An extremely long urumi
But the real magic comes with the inclusion of additional blades. In the main image above, you can see the Sri Lankan iteration of the urumi that boasts multiple blades per weapon. One version was even said to have had 32 blades on a single weapon. As you might expect, the more blades are added to the urumi, the more difficult and dangerous wielding it becomes.
Because of the floppiness of the blade, it’s impossible to use the weapon in any way other than a whip. One of the most effective tactics for using the urumi is entering a constant state of motion and essentially creating a protective (or aggressive) bubble around yourself. It keeps the enemy at a distance and gives you the upper hand.
Atlas Obscura did a write-up on the urumi a few months back and describes the fighting tactic:
When the blade curves around the sword wielder in quick arcing slashes, it creates a defensive bubble of flying metal that an opponent would be reckless to get close to. In addition, it makes a terrific weapon for defending against multiple opponents, both by providing a good barrier at a number of angles at once, and for the long, wild attacking arcs the steel whip provides.
When sparring with a urumi, the wielder often carries a small shield to deflect the opponent’s urumi. Here is another worthy demonstration:
It’s surprising the urumi hasn’t made too many appearances in different types of media, though you can actually summon the Urumi Swordsmen in “Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties.” A version also appears in “Magic: The Gathering.”
Due to the sheer insanity of the weapon, it’s possible we’ll one day get a Cold Steel Urumi.
February 28, 2017 at 10:44 am
THIS IS WHY YOU ALWAYS NEED TO BRING A GUN TO A KNIFE FIGHT.
February 28, 2017 at 12:07 pm
I agree, Ron.
May 23, 2017 at 12:01 pm
I worked with the Cham people for a while they follow Hindu and most theMoslem belief the ( we’ll call him) SGTMG was an older man but very erect.
He had the weirdest collection of weapons I have ever seen. No matter what someone wanted to talk about he had two of them. He would bring them out and give you book and chapter and then take you out back and show you how to get the most out the weapon. Don’t get the impression that the SMAG was Santa far a pistol it cost $150, rifle depending on age $250 to $350. One night the night the talk came around to the most deadly weapon, 12ga Shotgun won hands down. The SMAG had a hopper fed 12ga that he said got
2000 rounds a minute. He would be happy to demonstrate it fo $7,500. He had two but the other one was in Taiwan the were setting up a production plant for it. Then the talk came to hand to hand. The SMAG sat and let every one blow off steam and then brought out his ” snake”. At first it was just a heavy looking bag the SMAG said he used to take on all comers at the same time, but he didn’t want to kill any one any more. He asked us to take a seat on a hill while he changed he came out in the normal India loin wraps and he had the snake unwound it looked about 6 to 9 feet long its hard to tell because it moves all the time. They brought out a young cow and tied it to a stake. The SMAG said to pay close attention as what he was going to do was very fast. He then stood in front of the cow held the snake over his head behind him and said huh brought the snake forward and the cows head popped off and then the cow fell in half and then it was in quarters. I don’t think it took any longer than it did to read. Later I remembered the cow never made a sound. It was spooky, it happened so fast and with so little noise, just that slithering. I’ll never have a problem when the question comes out about hand to hand the snake wins every time.
March 9, 2018 at 2:12 pm
Where can I buy this sword.. And whats the price… Pls let me know this is my number whats app me 9566223625
September 1, 2021 at 5:56 am
I have one for sale
March 18, 2018 at 9:18 am
It is used by nairs
November 22, 2023 at 4:23 am
Height of ignorance displayed on the internet !!!
September 13, 2020 at 9:36 am
What kind of steel would you use to make one of these? How strong must it be, and how flexible? I’m interested because my Grandfather was a forgemaster, his nephew, (he had no sons) and I’ve carried it on. I’m 68 and can make almost any blade, but this one fascinates me. A type of spring/surgical steel? Some alloy? I’m really going to research this, because, if I live long enough, I’m making one.
November 9, 2021 at 12:27 am
You have to come to sri lanka to research about that .this sword use very qood quility iron i don know much about it becouse i am not angampora (sri lanakan martiol art)
practioner.but if you want sri lankan version which can wield 32 swords in one sword.indian urumi can only weild 4or5..but i don know that angmapora practiners will give that sword to you they dont even give us the sword.
April 19, 2023 at 8:45 am
Victor, you should go to Kerala, India there you can see one of the ancient martial art named Kalaripayattu. In Kalaripayattu this Whip Sword known as Urumi (surul vaal) is used to attack multiple person.it should be worn around the waist like a belt too by the person who carries it. For more details you need to research on Kalaripayattu Martial Art.
November 22, 2023 at 4:26 am
You could check with any of the numerous “kalarippayattu” centres in Kerala, India. They still teach how to wield this sword though it’s not a practical weapon to carry for reasons obvious. In olden days, warriors used to carry the single blade version of this wrapped around their waist like a belt due to it’s flexibility and ease of carrying.