YAN LING DAO 雁翎刀

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

Folded pattern steel:

• 1060 carbon steel + T9 tungsten-vanadium high-speed tool 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.