Jin shi Trading Da Doa
Apr 4, 2009 2:16:30 GMT
Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2009 2:16:30 GMT
Jin Shi Trading Da Dao review by Thana Sathirachinda
Introduction
This is the Da Dao created by SBG forum member Garret .I got a wind of this sword back in October 2007 when Garret post about creating a line of Chinese sword that are true to the form with historically correctness and practical use (original thread /index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=412 ) ,I was very excite about this news because it look like an ultimate Da Dao that are true to form ,authentic and historically accurate. What attract me to this sword is that from its inception this sword is mean for peasant and common soldier with straight forward application and the fact that it is one of a few edge weapon uses by combatants during WW II making this sword quite interesting. I eagerly await the arrival of this sword with Garrett post new development here and there (like the prototype was lost during transit and that Da Dao leather scabbard cost almost as much as the sword itself etc. But its finally version arrive last month and I place an order. In its final form the sword cost $189.99 with SB 5% discount and $15 shipping total is $195.49 .It took 2 weeks from order to item arrive at my door step .
Historical overview
Da Doa evolved from long line of Chinese sword but it closely associated with civilian militias and revolutionaries .It was used by some of famous Chinese saber unit like the 29th battalion against Japanese force .Its long handle mean for hand and a half or two hand hold with forward balance for chopping and slashing action . This type of sword was mean for the mass who had little or training but still could use it effectively in combat sort of like AK 47 of its day .There were two different training manuals for Da Dao during Republic of China before WWII one known as Yin Yu Zhan slashing saber practice and other was Huang Bo Nien ‘s Xingyi Fist and Weapons instruction and one of our forum member Chessman pointed out that since Da Dao form was closely associated with the KMT and Northern China there was very limit number of schools and instructors for this type of sword .
Initial impression
The sword arrive in secure card board box and Garret throw in nice display case with yellow lining and the blade itself is wrap in plastic with preservative oil to prevent the rust .Shipping is fast and communication with Garrett is great, prompt and excellent .What grab me the most about this sword is how light it is compare to other of my Da Dao and this one still has substantial blade length .To me the balance sword is a good sign of quality.
Statistics
Blade length is 23.4 inches
Handle is 9.5 inches
Overall length 32.9 inches
POB is 7 inches from the guard right at the start of the fuller
COP is 17 inches form the guard
Weight 1.2 Kg (2.4 pounds)
Components
The blade
I am going to compare this side by side with Han Wei Da Doa because it has very same profile and similar length
Jin Shi Da Doa has slightly longer blade with single wide fuller starting 5 inches from the guard the blade has straighter profile than Han Wei version with no brass throat or habaki and it has one eye for hooking to the nail on the wall . Garrett bases his dao from antique he own so this one is true to the original .The blade is slightly thicker than Han wei and it give solid feeling when swing .The steel is much nice too with bell ringing sound when taping with finger .The higher quality blade of Garrett Da Doa means that it will be easy to polish to mirror shine .
Close up comparison of the tip and fuller and wide of the blade between Garrett on the left and Han wie on the right.
The handle
the handle is 9.5 inches including the ring pommel wrap in black flat cord ,the handle is very secure and comfortable and for once this is not Japanese Ito style wrap but simple wrap (I am not sure if it is Chinese style wrap or it is universal ) the end of the cord come loose but easy to tug back in under.
Jin Shi da dao 9.5 inches handle look much shorter than generously longer 13 inches Han wie. Jin Shi handle still accommodate two hand grip abide rather cramp hold .this will become more apparent during cutting session (more on that later )
The guard
The simple black steel guard of Jin shi is more similar to many of the KMT soldiers picture , it serve the purpose of protecting the hand while more flashy s ring brass guard of Han Wie make it look more sophisticate (and that point up guard look like it could be use to trap opponent blade ? )
Pommel
Just plain and simple ring pommel both are cover by fabric
Scabbard
This is the area where Han wie edge Jin shi because Han wie come with Nylon scabbard and it is near perfect fit Jin Shi da dao .Garret informed me long time ago that to create authentic scabbard would raise the price of this sword to $400 and I don’t see much point of having yet another cheap nylon or canvas scabbard so if leather cost that much it is alright by me not to have one. Historically, many Da Dao did not come with scabbard anyway and soldiers usually made one themselves. The crazy idea pop in mind so if the leather scabbard cost as much as sword and one must have scabbard why not get Han Wie da dao and give scabbard to Jin Shi da dao : ) it is just good excuse for me to get another Da Dao (there is no such thing as too many Da Dao in my book : ) .
I decide to go for the KMT route for now and sew my own scabbard using suede leather ,it is slowly come along and I have yet to poke my knee or finger with leather needle yet.
Handling Characteristic
The sword is light enough for single hand use and I can apply overhead slash and diagonal slash rather well , it feel almost like heavier Darn Dao with single hand use. The short handle is a bit cramp for two hand and I have to get use to it but on chopping motion this sword should perform equal to other da dao . The weight is the one that make all the different because its light weight make this da dao much more maneuverable compare to other da dao
The bottom one weight 4 pounds with long handle but it is very slow I would pick Jin Shi da doa if I have to face opponent arms with sword and opt for speed and agility .
Test cutting
Garret lower the original price for this Da dao ($200 ) because its edge is not fully sharp .I am a bit disappoint because I have been wait for this ultimate Da dao for year but by now I know a thing or two about sharpening da dao .my first cut against 1 gallon plastic water jug with the edge come out of the box
The Da dao slice up the soft plastic water jug with out any trouble so we are off at good start
Then come the trouble –those pesky soft flexible plastic water and soda bottle that seem to have armor .I have to use coarse diamond stone to get the enough sharpness out of this dao to cut plastic bottle .I bated quite a lot of bottle across the garage but I discover that it is not just the edge (or the lack of it ) that give me the trouble but the cramp two hand grip making rather awkward cutting position . A few pass at the stone and several cutting lather I realize that the edge is not effecting the cut as much as the bad form.I discovered that to cut I must use COP and line it up against target properly and follow through with the swing. This blade is unforgiving for bad form and I must concentrate each and every cut. I have to admit that I am happy that this da dao actually cut the water and soda bottle on second try compare to my other Da Dao but I wish it could come factory sharp like KC da dao so that I will spend more time cutting than sharpening it .
Conclusion I have to say that it is worth the wait because this Da dao is nicest one I have so far .I am a bit disappoint at the not fully sharp edge and I wish its future version will come fully sharp other than that it is very beautiful blade with great balance and excellent craftsmanship .I like the classic and authentic profile of this da dao , it hold significant historical value and prestige as one of important weapons use to defend China against her enemy
Pro
Historically correct and true to original
light weight and well balance
excellent craftmanship and good steel
Con
The handle is too short for two handhold
The edge doesn't come fully sharp
The sword doesn't come with scabbard
Bottom line
I would recommend this sword for those who want to get sample of historically correct and authentic Da Dao ,it make a great display sword and excellent practice sword as well. The lack of sharp edge can be fix via common and simple sharpening stone and this is the beauty of the da dao-it just mean for common man with simple tool and skill .On top of it all this sword create by SBG member who set out to make great line of Chinese swords.
Introduction
This is the Da Dao created by SBG forum member Garret .I got a wind of this sword back in October 2007 when Garret post about creating a line of Chinese sword that are true to the form with historically correctness and practical use (original thread /index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=412 ) ,I was very excite about this news because it look like an ultimate Da Dao that are true to form ,authentic and historically accurate. What attract me to this sword is that from its inception this sword is mean for peasant and common soldier with straight forward application and the fact that it is one of a few edge weapon uses by combatants during WW II making this sword quite interesting. I eagerly await the arrival of this sword with Garrett post new development here and there (like the prototype was lost during transit and that Da Dao leather scabbard cost almost as much as the sword itself etc. But its finally version arrive last month and I place an order. In its final form the sword cost $189.99 with SB 5% discount and $15 shipping total is $195.49 .It took 2 weeks from order to item arrive at my door step .
Historical overview
Da Doa evolved from long line of Chinese sword but it closely associated with civilian militias and revolutionaries .It was used by some of famous Chinese saber unit like the 29th battalion against Japanese force .Its long handle mean for hand and a half or two hand hold with forward balance for chopping and slashing action . This type of sword was mean for the mass who had little or training but still could use it effectively in combat sort of like AK 47 of its day .There were two different training manuals for Da Dao during Republic of China before WWII one known as Yin Yu Zhan slashing saber practice and other was Huang Bo Nien ‘s Xingyi Fist and Weapons instruction and one of our forum member Chessman pointed out that since Da Dao form was closely associated with the KMT and Northern China there was very limit number of schools and instructors for this type of sword .
Initial impression
The sword arrive in secure card board box and Garret throw in nice display case with yellow lining and the blade itself is wrap in plastic with preservative oil to prevent the rust .Shipping is fast and communication with Garrett is great, prompt and excellent .What grab me the most about this sword is how light it is compare to other of my Da Dao and this one still has substantial blade length .To me the balance sword is a good sign of quality.
Statistics
Blade length is 23.4 inches
Handle is 9.5 inches
Overall length 32.9 inches
POB is 7 inches from the guard right at the start of the fuller
COP is 17 inches form the guard
Weight 1.2 Kg (2.4 pounds)
Components
The blade
I am going to compare this side by side with Han Wei Da Doa because it has very same profile and similar length
Jin Shi Da Doa has slightly longer blade with single wide fuller starting 5 inches from the guard the blade has straighter profile than Han Wei version with no brass throat or habaki and it has one eye for hooking to the nail on the wall . Garrett bases his dao from antique he own so this one is true to the original .The blade is slightly thicker than Han wei and it give solid feeling when swing .The steel is much nice too with bell ringing sound when taping with finger .The higher quality blade of Garrett Da Doa means that it will be easy to polish to mirror shine .
Close up comparison of the tip and fuller and wide of the blade between Garrett on the left and Han wie on the right.
The handle
the handle is 9.5 inches including the ring pommel wrap in black flat cord ,the handle is very secure and comfortable and for once this is not Japanese Ito style wrap but simple wrap (I am not sure if it is Chinese style wrap or it is universal ) the end of the cord come loose but easy to tug back in under.
Jin Shi da dao 9.5 inches handle look much shorter than generously longer 13 inches Han wie. Jin Shi handle still accommodate two hand grip abide rather cramp hold .this will become more apparent during cutting session (more on that later )
The guard
The simple black steel guard of Jin shi is more similar to many of the KMT soldiers picture , it serve the purpose of protecting the hand while more flashy s ring brass guard of Han Wie make it look more sophisticate (and that point up guard look like it could be use to trap opponent blade ? )
Pommel
Just plain and simple ring pommel both are cover by fabric
Scabbard
This is the area where Han wie edge Jin shi because Han wie come with Nylon scabbard and it is near perfect fit Jin Shi da dao .Garret informed me long time ago that to create authentic scabbard would raise the price of this sword to $400 and I don’t see much point of having yet another cheap nylon or canvas scabbard so if leather cost that much it is alright by me not to have one. Historically, many Da Dao did not come with scabbard anyway and soldiers usually made one themselves. The crazy idea pop in mind so if the leather scabbard cost as much as sword and one must have scabbard why not get Han Wie da dao and give scabbard to Jin Shi da dao : ) it is just good excuse for me to get another Da Dao (there is no such thing as too many Da Dao in my book : ) .
I decide to go for the KMT route for now and sew my own scabbard using suede leather ,it is slowly come along and I have yet to poke my knee or finger with leather needle yet.
Handling Characteristic
The sword is light enough for single hand use and I can apply overhead slash and diagonal slash rather well , it feel almost like heavier Darn Dao with single hand use. The short handle is a bit cramp for two hand and I have to get use to it but on chopping motion this sword should perform equal to other da dao . The weight is the one that make all the different because its light weight make this da dao much more maneuverable compare to other da dao
The bottom one weight 4 pounds with long handle but it is very slow I would pick Jin Shi da doa if I have to face opponent arms with sword and opt for speed and agility .
Test cutting
Garret lower the original price for this Da dao ($200 ) because its edge is not fully sharp .I am a bit disappoint because I have been wait for this ultimate Da dao for year but by now I know a thing or two about sharpening da dao .my first cut against 1 gallon plastic water jug with the edge come out of the box
The Da dao slice up the soft plastic water jug with out any trouble so we are off at good start
Then come the trouble –those pesky soft flexible plastic water and soda bottle that seem to have armor .I have to use coarse diamond stone to get the enough sharpness out of this dao to cut plastic bottle .I bated quite a lot of bottle across the garage but I discover that it is not just the edge (or the lack of it ) that give me the trouble but the cramp two hand grip making rather awkward cutting position . A few pass at the stone and several cutting lather I realize that the edge is not effecting the cut as much as the bad form.I discovered that to cut I must use COP and line it up against target properly and follow through with the swing. This blade is unforgiving for bad form and I must concentrate each and every cut. I have to admit that I am happy that this da dao actually cut the water and soda bottle on second try compare to my other Da Dao but I wish it could come factory sharp like KC da dao so that I will spend more time cutting than sharpening it .
Conclusion I have to say that it is worth the wait because this Da dao is nicest one I have so far .I am a bit disappoint at the not fully sharp edge and I wish its future version will come fully sharp other than that it is very beautiful blade with great balance and excellent craftsmanship .I like the classic and authentic profile of this da dao , it hold significant historical value and prestige as one of important weapons use to defend China against her enemy
Pro
Historically correct and true to original
light weight and well balance
excellent craftmanship and good steel
Con
The handle is too short for two handhold
The edge doesn't come fully sharp
The sword doesn't come with scabbard
Bottom line
I would recommend this sword for those who want to get sample of historically correct and authentic Da Dao ,it make a great display sword and excellent practice sword as well. The lack of sharp edge can be fix via common and simple sharpening stone and this is the beauty of the da dao-it just mean for common man with simple tool and skill .On top of it all this sword create by SBG member who set out to make great line of Chinese swords.