LK Chen – Huang Taiji Yao Dao

The design, style and form of LK Chen’s historical Chinese swords are heavily influenced from LK’s own measurements and hands-on experience with museum collection originals. The Huang Taiji Yao Dao may be one of the finest examples of his experiential scholarship and dedication to craftsmanship and the creation of weapons fitting for the modern martial artist and is the culmination of a three year project of research and planning to create this fine replica. This immaculate Dao is heavily influenced by his experience with a sword that is a national treasure of China; the Dao saber of Huang Taiji, the 17th century founder of the Qing Dynasty. The sword is a designated national treasure in Shenyang Palace Museum due to its historical, cultural and artistic significance and its high level of preservation with original fittings and scabbard is a wealth of information.

The sweeping blade has a thick spine at its base and midsection which radically tapers into a thin tip ideal for quick slices and decisive saber slashes and cuts. The twin fuller grooves exhibit fine craftsmanship and attention to detail and blade geometry and the larger groove is highighted in red cinnabar hue lacquer. The blade itself is composed of 1065 high carbon steel melded and forge folded with T9 Tungsten-Vanadium high speed tool steel. This composite blade after polishing and treatment shows the beautiful ripple-like patterning of the skillfully folded steel.

The hilt fittings are crafted in brass in the open metal work style in the Mongolian / Tibetan style popular to late Ming and early Qing Imperial Dao swords. The original was iron with silver and gold gilding while LK has opted for a solid, bright brass option here to give a golden appearance that highlights the high quality of the casting work and the details captured by the original engraver. The wooden grip is wrapped in braided brown cord to complete the sword. The sword is matched with a wood scabbard which is overlaid in faux leather and completed with immaculately detailed cast brass fittings to match the hilt. A cloth sword bag for storage and transport is included.