Niu Wei Dao 牛尾刀 or "oxtail saber" originated in civilian circles sometime in the 19th century. They are characterized by having relatively thin blades that flare out near the tip, where they have a rounder cutting section than other Chinese saber types. The blade has a beautiful sweeping upward curve with a handle that curve downwards. This design is optimized for cutting soft targets, reflected the disappearance of armor on Chinese battlefield when firearms became more widespread. Niu Wei Dao is versatile, impressive looking and gain widespread use among local militia, security police, body guards and martial artists. This late Qing Dynasty design have made it known as the archetypical Chinese saber.
This Niu Wei Dao is an exacting replica of a well preserved Qing Dynasty Niu Wei Dao.
Specifications
Sword only weight: approx. 914 g (2 lb oz)
Blade length approx. 76.4 cm (30")
Handle including fitting 18.0 cm (7.0")
Handle wood grip part 12 cm (4.7)
Point of Balance approx. 13 cm (5.1") from hand guard
Blade Width approx.
at hand guard: 36.0 mm
19.1 cm from hand guard: 37.8 mm
34.5 from handle: 42.0 mm
18.5 cm from tip: 53.0 mm
Blade thickness approx.
at hand guard: 5.00 mm
19.1 cm from hand guard: 4.00 mm
34.5 cm from hand guard: 1.80 mm
18.5 cm from tip: 1.40 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
(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 54-55 HRC.
Through spring tempering with oil quenching.
Blade rebounds to true after bending,
Pommel secured by peening.
Fittings
** In Ming and Qing Dynasty, combat Dao use Iron as the hand guard material
instead of brass, a softer metal. **
Hand guard, handle ferrule and pommel - cast stainless steel
Scabbard fittings - cast stainless steel
Flat black cord wrapped handle.
Scabbard
High quality white wood scabbard or faux black leather wrap scabbard.
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.
Sword Dynamics is first conceived by Peter Johnsson to objectively record the dynamics properties of medieval swords he encountered.
To learn how to interpret the Sword Dynamics Graph, click here!
Sword Dynamics was implemented by applied mathematician Dr. Vincent Le Chevalier as a free Weapons Dynamics Computer.
To learn how to measure basic data for the Weapons Dynamics Computer click here!
Sifu Thomas Fuhr of Chan family Choy Lee Fut Performing form and cutting with Nui Wei Dao
Philip Martin of Phoenix Society test cutting with LK Chen Niu Wei Dao
Plum Blossom Sifu Kuttel with his Niu Wei Dao
Pak Mei Sifu Jeremy Thomas demonstrates Double sabers techniques
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