SONG HAND DAO 宋手刀 (960 - 1270 AD)

Recorded in the Song dynasty military manual, "The essential summary of military affairs" were illustrations of standard military weapons including 8 Daos (single edge swords)

Seven were bladed polearms and a single handed dao with the caption "Hand Dao".

Here we offer a 1:1 replica of a rare and well preserved, Song Hand Dao.  

Song Hand Dao is primarily a single handed wide blade dao.  This specimen has a longer handle such that the dao can be wielded with 2 hands if needed.  

Song Hand Dao is powerful, thick and stout and one of the first Chinese wide bladed dao.  This Song Hand Dao is fitted with a Ring at the hilt following a long tradition started 1000 years before with the Han Dao.

Specifications

Sword only weight:  approx. 1117 g (2 lb. 7.4 oz)

Blade Length: 65.5 cm (25.78")

Handle Length: 18 cm (7.0")

Ring Length: 4.0 cm (1.58")

Total Length: 89 cm (35.0")

POB from hand guard : 16 cm (6.3")

Gradual widening

Width at hand guard: 37.5 mm  (1.47") 

Width at tip: 39 mm  (1.54") 

Thickness at hand guard approx.: 7.0 mm 

Thickness near the tip approx. : 4.7 mm

Blade cross section profile: triangular wedge shape

Blade length wide profile:  wide straight blade,

Steel Option 1

T10 Tungsten-Vanadium High Speed Tool Steel. 

Element %                      

Carbon            0.95-1.04       

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

Clay tempered differential heat treatment in clay furnace.

The traditional clay clad differential heat treatment will bring out a beautiful straight Hamon 

and hard cutting edge around HRC 56 with a resilient spine with HRC around 40-45. 

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

Thorough  heat treatment:  Hardness 56-58 HRC. 

Cut Tatami Mat with ease.  

Hand polish to a sharp cutting edge.  

Fittings

Blackened Iron fittings,  Cord wrapped handle.

Scabbard

High quality white wood  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.