Dadao Sword

Dadao Sword

The Dadao sword is among the varieties of Chinese Sabers is also known as the Chinese Great Sword. Based on the knives used for agricultural activities, the Dadao is featured with broad blades that measure about two to three feet long. Its extended hilts are adequate for single-handed and double-handed wielding and it also always appears with a weight-forward balance.

A couple of the Chinese Dadao were specifically produced for the military but these were mostly identified with the civilian revolutionaries or militias since there were no learning curves necessary to be able to use this.

While not really considered as a sophisticated weapon, the balance and weight of the Dadao Sword gave it adequate chopping and slashing power for efficient close-combat engagements.

Origin of the Dadao Sword

The samples of the Dadao Sword from the twentieth century were somewhat common, and only a few samples can really be dated to the early Qing era; there are claims that the contemporary twentieth-century Dadao Sword is the reimagination or rebirth of the traditional Ming dynasty weapon.

Although there were similar weapons that have become less popular during the early Qing era, stories regarding the Ming dynasty as well as the accomplishments of its heroes became highly favored during the nineteenth century.

When re-published, these old stories were usually created with illustrations from the Ming dynasty or with new photos of heroes wearing traditional clothes while wielding antique weapons that resemble those from the Ming dynasty.

Their Dadao Swords usually featured ring-shaped pommels together with clip point blades and in fact, a lot of the same styles were thoroughly preserved in both the Cantonese and Mandarin companies which led the people to become quite familiar with these.

There is also a theory that states that the contemporary Dadao Sword may have little to do with the classic weapons that have been utilized by the Imperial Army; this is because there is at least a couple of evidence that support the statements that a Dadao is generally a modified and enlarged farm tool.

The Chinese Dadao Sword in the Military

The Dadao Sword was occasionally present in the military since its ring pommel and simple blade design were quite easy to produce unlike the more complex and challenging Dao swords from the middle portion of the Qing dynasty.

These types of swords were also usually favored by the militia groups that became extremely common from the last to the Taiping Rebellion and onwards. The arms of these troops had a tight association with history so these would commonly include ringed pommels in its features.

Dadao

Soldiers and the Chinese Dadao Sword

The Chinese soldiers who carried the Dadao trained every day and became accomplished martial artists; although the weapon was utilized for numerous purposes, it was not really that useful against the machine guns carried by the Japanese; however, when their ammunition diminished, hand to hand combat was necessary and this was the time when the Dadao performed adequately.

It was said that the sight of soldiers charging with these heavy weapons was greatly terrifying so it basically exhibited a deadly image especially in the year 1933; this was the time when Chinese soldiers (who utilized the Dadao) guarded the Great Wall against the Japanese troops.

In the year 1937, the Dadao gained notoriety outside the country when the Chinese troops attacked and defeated the superior forces of the Japanese in what has become the Incident at the Marco Polo Bridge.

In the early 1900s before and after World War II, China was greatly volatile and was considered as a dangerous area. During this period, the Dadao were regularly carried by the police who would utilize these for public execution after capturing and providing a concise trial to any suspected criminal.

Because of this, the sword became a great symbol of the Will to Power together with the terror and fear that accompanied this.

Appearance of the Dadao

The average Dadao sword was created from the years 1920 to 1940; it featured a heavy blade that was accompanied by a V-shaped profile that descends from a chunky spine. The blade’s body usually appeared as a mono-steel piece but delicately laminated samples still appear.

Almost all the period Chinese Dadao featured a high carbon steel edge and this is slipped into the blade during the forging technique; aside from this, the blade is also differentially heat-treated for better quality.

Though these were commonly made with quality, not every individual who created a Chinese Dadao Sword was trained in bladesmithing; a few may have been created in local machine shops or by blacksmiths and as a result, a few samples of the Dadao Sword lack enough details that are necessary on the blade.

The genuine Dadao Swords were not generally elegant pieces since the proportions were never really perfect; some would even assume that these were carved from a steel block using a dull chisel.

Dadao

The Chinese Dadao appeared in different sizes and shapes: some featured wooden handles while others were covered in cloth. Most of these pieces were issued without any scabbards and were simply slung right across the wielder’s back with a piece of the cord while the other pieces had finely constructed coverings made of leather.

A lot of Dadao swords were created with dull shades yet a few were created with eye-catching red grip wraps together with flowing scarves.

Chinese Dadao for Sale

Modern martial artists will most likely be interested in high-quality Dadao Swords for sale which are can be found on our website. The functional Dadao Swords is a very unique choice for those who wish to practice or train in cutting but it is vital to be cautious when handling the weapon for training common sense, caution, and formal lessons are the keys to learning how to use the sword safely.

Yet for the sword enthusiasts who wish to add more Chinese swords to their growing collection, you can simply purchase the Chinese Dadao swords that are featured on the website, or contact us to have a custom one made for with your distinct design.