Military Da Dao 軍用大刀 (1937-1945)

Military Da Dao is one of the most iconic Chinese weapon, the latest cold weapon to be used on a battlefield.  Da Dao is a simple, effective and lethal weapon, forged during the Sino-Japanese war under difficult material conditions.  This resulted in inconsistent shape and quality of the surviving Da Dao.  LK Chen Military Da Dao is based on the original specifications and other fine surviving specimens and recreate what a Military Da Dao should have been.

Great articles about Da Dao from the Chinese Martial Arts research blog Kung Ku Tea can be find here.

Your can find translation of the training manual for Military DaDao here and here

Specifications 

Sword only weight:  approx.         1200 g (2 lb. 10.3 oz)

Cutting edge length approx.         59.7 cm  (23.5")

Saber spine length approx.           53.9 cm  (21.25")

Tip clip portion length approx.      7.6 cm (3")            

Handle including ring                     27.9 cm  (11.5")

Handle wood grip part                  21.6 cm  (8.5")

Ring Diameter                                7.6 cm  (3")

Point of Balance                             12 cm (4.7")

Solid Brass Hand Guard                         

Width                                              8.89 cm (3.5")

Thickness                                        1.27 cm (0.5")

Broad                                              3.3 cm (1.3")

     
Blade Width  approx.

at hand guard:                                3.81 cm (1.5")

at tip:                                               5.97 cm (2.25")    

Blade profile

Simple triangular wedge shape

2 fuller on each side of the blade       

Steel  GB 60Si2MnA 

High Carbon Manganese Spring Steel (Compare 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 56-58 HRC. 

Medium to Low firing and through quenching for hardness

Fittings

Solid Brass Hand guard,   

Iron Ring Pommel

Red Cotton wrapped wood handle

Scabbard

Vegan leather with shoulder straps 

(original was pig skin and we side with the pig)