LK Chen – Military Da Dao

An inonic fighting blade of the early to mid 20th century Chinese military, the Da Dao is a powerful chopping sword with a blade and grip length that lend itself well to the use of one or two hands and it has its origins as a simple but effective blade that was often used by rural militias. Though a particularly vicious close combat weapon, the Da Dao shape and reinforced spine lends itself to clearing brush and light camp duties as well. The weapon was made most famous during the Sino-Japanese war when large numbers of these were forged for the defense of the country. Their quality varied considerably due to the material limitations of a wartime economy, but they found ready and deadly use against the Japanese. There is even a military song contemporary to the war called the “Dadao March” which glorified the use of the Dadao to combat the Japanese.

This replica Military Da Dao by LK Chen has a blade of GB 60Si2MnA High Carbon Manganese Spring Steel which is both sharpened and well tempered to a 56-58 HRc. The stout blade has the characteristically thick Da Dao spine which gives it superb durability and rigidity which also ends to give mass and power to the sword when striking. The guard is cast from brass and the pommel ring is of iron. The wooden grip is finished with a wrap of red cord, Included is a sheath ot stitched leather.