MING Imperial GUARD's Chang Dao 明御林軍長刀 (1368-1644 AD)

During the Ming Dynasty, there was a substantial trading between China and Japan with contracted import of swords. Together with the warfare along coastal provinces against the Wokou (Japanese Invaders), Japanese swords had great influence in Chinese military weapons at the time.  The Chang Dao (Long Saber) also known as Dan Dao (Single/Sole saber) was the Chinese adaptation of the Japanese Long Sabers. 

Imperial Guard Chang Dao is a formidable double hand sword as tall as warrior who weld it. These expansively made swords were provided to the imperial guards and for a time served as a stand by weapon for the musket units.

LK Chen's Imperial Guard Chang Dao is based a rare antique Chang Dao which had a blade/hilt  ratio with great leverage for powerful techniques.

Specifications  

Sword only weight:  approx. 2000 g   (4 lb. 6.55 oz) 

Blade length approx.          107.5 cm  (42.32") 

Handle length approx.        55.0 cm   (21.65") 

Total length  approx.           162.5. cm  (64.02") 

POB from hilt approx.:        11 cm       (4.3")  

With its optimal blade/handle ratio, the Imperial Guard's Chang Dao

is well balanced and feel lively in hand.

Blade thickness   

at base:                   8.30 mm   

near tip:                   3.5mm   

Blade width  

at base:                   40.0 mm   

near tip:                   26.0 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 motif open metal work hand guard, 1:1 recreation of a Ming Dynasty specimen.

Iron hilt ferrule and pommel  

Scabbard fittings  - Blackened brass

Pommel secured by peening.

Red cotton cord wrapped handle model after the intact hilt wrapping of a Ming Dynasty Imperial Guard's Dao

Scabbard made with furniture grade Jichimu  (Ormosia genus)  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.