ULTRA EDITION FLYING PHOENIX

An unique opportunity to own a Han Jian constructed with methods and materials dated back 2000 year.

The form factor of Ultra Edition Flying Phoenix is the same as the standard edition.  

However, every aspect of its construction uses methods as close as possible to the original Han Jian.

"Fried Steel" 炒鋼.

The steel of the Premier edition Flying Phoenix is prepared using a two stage steel making method dated back to the Han Dynasty.  

The blade making process started with a high carbon crude iron,  an intermediate product obtained by smelting iron ore in a blast furnace.

The crude iron is then reheated to a molten stage and stirred continuously so the high carbon content in the crude iron reacts with oxygen in the air and releases it as CO2.  The resulting product is a steel with the desirable carbon content.  This stirring in open air decarbonization process, similar in action to stir frying does coin a nickname of this type of steel as the "Fried Steel" 炒鋼.

The "Fried Steel" will undergo a lengthy second step that the steel is hand folded multiple times into a high quality "Hundred Refinement" pattern steel.  Each blade created in this manner has its own unique steel pattern, some looks like flowing water, some resembles swirling and smoky clouds,  very closed to re-polished Han Dynasty blades.  It is not unusual that there might be one or two tiny specks on the surface of the blade.  This is inherited from the unique steel production methods and will not impact its beauty nor its function. 

There are only a few skilled blade smiths today that practice this ancient sword making methods and swords created in this manner are highly sought-after.  Just the blade by itself command a price of over $1000 (7000 Chinese Yen) in China.

LK Chen partners with one of the expert blade smiths to present this unique ancient blade making craft to the world.  Each blade is examined and selected by LK Chen himself to ensure a high standard of workmanship with the unique handling characteristics of a Flying Phoenix.

The slim blade fitting scabbard has a wood core wrapped with a thin layer of linen, smooth with putty and lacquered several times.  The satin black lacquered surface is hand painted with a red swirling cloud and flying bird motif.  

The rhomboid cross section handle is wrapped with braid waxed cotton black cord providing natural good grip.

Precision cast brass fittings are carefully chosen and hand detailed.

The assembly process is supervised by LK Chen himself in a special workshop established for this purpose.

All premium edition Flying Phoenix comes with a furniture grade hardwood case.