"TAI YANG" Yan Ling DAO 雁翎刀 (1661 - 1735 AD)

Yan Ling Dao marks a transition from traditional straight blade Chinese Dao to curve Dao.  The blade is mostly straight with a smooth curve towards the tip of the blade. Many original specimens came with an upper edge and 1-2 fullers.  Yan Ling Dao is suitable for both cavalry and infantry and was popular in late Ming and early Qing dynasty.

This chiseled and solid Yan Ling Dao is closely modeled after an unique 17th century specimen in Mr. Peter Dekker's private collection.   The rare sundial like hand guard gives the name of the sword "Tai Yang", which means the sun.  The fittings are cast iron and in the "Fang-Shi" or square style popular in the mid 17th century to early 18th century.  Subdue and refine, the "Fang-Shi" or square style is an endearing style of the time.

"Tai Yang" Yan Ling Dao has the most classic blade profile and is an excellent representation of this classic blade type.

Specifications 

Sword only weight:  approx. 985 g (2 lb. 2.7 oz)

Blade length approx.         69.50 cm  (27.36")

Handle including fitting     18.00  cm  (7.08")

Total length                        87.00 cm  (34.25")

Point of Balance approx.     11.5 cm (4.53") from hand guard

Blade thickness  

at base:                   8.50 mm  

40 cm from base: 5.00 mm  

5 cm from tip: 2.20 mm  

Blade width  

at base:                   33.5 mm  

40 cm from base: 33.0 mm

50 cm from base: 35.0 mm  

60 cm from base: 31.0 mm  

Steel Option 1

Steel option 1

Labor intensive classic Sanmai (three plate) steel.

Hand folded pattern steel on the outside, 

T10 steel in the core.

Clay clade differential tempering for hard edge. 

Straight Hamon. 

Steel Option 2
Folded pattern steel: 

1060 carbon steel + T9 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

T9 tungsten-vanadium high-speed tool steel.

Element %                      

Carbon            0.85-0.94

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

Superior heat treatment:  Hardness 54-55 HRC. 

Through spring tempering with oil quenching.
Pommel secured by traditional peening. 

Scabbard

High quality white wood scabbard wrapping with "vegan" brown leather  

"Fang Shi (Square style)" Iron Fittings

** In Ming and Qing  Dynasty, military Dao use Iron as the hand guard material

instead of brass, a softer metal. **

Hand guard, handle ferrule and pommel - Slightly blackened iron

Scabbard fittings  - Slightly blackened iron

Flat brown cord wrapped handle. 

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.