MING CROSSBOWMEN's DAO 明弩手帶刀 (1368 - 1644 AD)

Crossbowmen's Dao was the standard side arm for Ming's crossbow units, carried by strapping underneath the waist band.  The length of the dao was designed to not interfering with the crossbow, which was also carried strap by the waist.  

Crossbowmen's Dao was a handy and versatile weapon primarily for double hand use but could also be weld single handed. 

Specifications    

Sword only weight:  approx. 1500 g   (3 lb. 4.9 oz)  

Blade length approx.           86.0 cm   (33.89")  

Handle length approx.        34.0 cm    (13.39")  

Total length  approx.           120.0 cm  (47.24")  

POB from hilt:                      10 cm        (3.94")    

Blade thickness    

at base:                   9.0 mm    

near tip:                   3.5mm   

Blade width   

at base:                   35.0 mm    

near tip:                   24.0 mm      

Steel option 1  

Folded pattern steel:   

1060 carbon steel + T8 tungsten-vanadium high-speed tool steel    

1060 carbon steel  

Element %   

Carbon            0.55-0.660      

Manganese     0.60-0.90             

Phosphorus     <=0.040           

Sulfur               <=0.050    

T8 tungsten-vanadium high-speed tool steel  

Element %                        

Carbon            0.75-0.84  

Silicon              <=0.35             

Manganese     <=0.40             

Phosphorus     <=0.035           

Sulfur               <=0.030  

Tungsten         <= 0.30  

Vanadium       <= 0.02          

Chromium       <=0.25             

Nickel               <=0.20   

Copper            <=0.25  

Molybdenum  <= 0.20    

Steel option 2  

GB 60Si2MnA High Carbon Manganese Spring Steel   

(Comparable to AISI/SAE 5160 spring steel)   

Element %       60Si2MnA    AISI/SAE 5160     

Carbon            0.56-0.64      0.56-0.61  

Silicon              1.60-2.00       0.15-0.35  

Manganese     0.60-0.90      0.75-1.00  

Phosphorus     <=0.030        <=0.035  

Sulfur               <=0.030        <=0.040  

Chromium       <=0.35          0.70-0.90  

Nickel               <=0.35          <=0.25    

Superior heat treatment:  Hardness 54-55 HRC.   

Through spring tempering with oil quenching.    

Fittings  

** In Ming and Qing  Dynasty, military Dao use Iron as the hand guard material

instead of brass, a softer metal. **

Iron Dragon abstract motif hand guard,  1:1 recreation of a Ming Dynasty specimen. 

Iron hilt ferrule and pommel   

Scabbard fittings  - Blackened brass 

Pommel secured by peening. 

Striking yellow cord wrapped handle.    

Scabbard made with furniture grade Jichimu  (Ormosia genus) wrapped with brown "vegan" leather  and blacken brass fittings.

Fit and finish  

We perfected the fit and finish of our swords and the assembly is meticulously performed by our senior craft masters.  It takes one whole working day for a craftsman to assemble our swords.