LK Chen – Song Hand Dao

The Song Hand Dao from LK Chen is a meticulous 1:1 recreation of an well-preserved original Song Dynasty Dao and its design represents some of the earliest wide-bladed Chinese Dao – a sword type that would develop into a distinctive style in following centuries. Swords such as these would have been a common military sword of about 960 – 1270 AD and the wide-blade design gives the sword an emphasis on ferociously powerful chopping power. The blade spine is quite thick which not only stiffens the blade and ensures that it is durable, but it also gives the blade extra mass with which to power it through authoritative and decisive chopping strokes. While largely intended for single-handed use, the grip is long enough to allow for a second hand when needed. Altogether this is a fine replica of a practical Chinese military Dao of the Song.

The polished blade is forged from T10 high carbon steel and has been differentially-tempered in the traditional clay tempering method; this process left behind a vibrantly visible hamon line of hardened steel along the edge of the blade and the rest of the blade is a softer hardness designed for shock-absorption and optimizing resilience. This sword will cut and chop through bamboo with ease in skilled hands. The blade collar, guard and pommel ring are blackened iron and the wooden grip is bound in tightened cord. The scabbard is carved from white wood and polished to a smooth finish before being completed with matching cord binding.