For you steel whip fans, here follows what my "Ancient Chinese Weapons" by Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming says about them.
"Sectional Steel Whip (jie bian - 節鞭)
There were many kinds of sectional steel whips. Common varieties included three, five, seven, nine, ten or twelve steel bars chained together, with a wood or metal handle and a sharp metal head. Usually, the total length of the whip was equal to the user's height. Therefore the length of each steel bar depended on the number of bars; the fewer, the longer.
Because the sectional steel whip was very flexible, it could be easily hidden. It could be used effectively at long or short ranges, depending on which bar was gripped. It was exceptionally dangerous if the opponent was unfamiliar with it.
The sectional steel whip (except for one with only three sections) could be manipulated with the elbow, knee, foot or neck, and therefore the techniques were innumerable. The whips were best used as stabbing weapons. Sweeping was also a common technique with all whips.
To apply the stab or sweep technique, the steel whip was swung in circles. The direction of the rotation restricted the application of the weapon. For example, if the whip was rotating forward and backward, it was simple to stab (or spear) the enemy, but only if he remained in front. If he shifted to the side, the steel whip needed to be slowed and swung in another direction. Also, once the whip was swinging vertically, it was difficult to use a horizontal sweeping technique.
Use of the sectional steel whip began around the time of the Song Dynasty (960-1280 AD)."