My New Zombie Slayer!!!
Nov 30, 2010 14:07:33 GMT
Post by BlackhawkFan on Nov 30, 2010 14:07:33 GMT
www.kultofathena.com/product.asp ... tary+Dadao
What follows is a mini-review of sorts, placed in this forum because I didn't take pictures, measurements, etc.
Been eyeing this for a while, and when I saw that Kult had stock, I jumped on it. Less than a week later (and a day early, I might add), I received the Hanwei El Cheapo Military Dadao from KofA. Less than $100 to my door.
It came in the standard cardboard box, and as I cut the tape to get it open, I saw that the sword itself was boxed in a nifty white styrofoam box of its own. Next to the sword was a cylindrical box like the kind used to store posters of supermodels, etc. I set it aside and focused on the sword....
The blade was wrapped in clear plastic and housed inside a well made sheath. This sheath is better than any Windlass, DSA, and others' sheaths I've enountered to date. It's made of heavy leather, without any hanger attachment points, and durable enough to take camping without worrying about scuffing or marring. I say this because I also have the Hanwei Bastard, and the only down side with it is the scabbard is too pretty. Likewise with my Practical Pro.
While the blade was still sheathed, I held the sword up and smacked the hilt, looking for the COP. To my surprise, and not having had a good look at the blade itself at this point, I saw that the blade didn't wobble at all.
Pulling the two tabs that allow the blade to be drawn from the sheath, I gingerly began to remove the clear plastic. The blade was covered in a thin coating of grease, so I grabbed a rag and some Windex and began to clean it, careful not to kiss the edge with any part of my body.
The blade's finish is fairly non-reflective. Looking along the sides, the blade looks machined. Slight ripples tell me it probably isn't. The blade is sharp from point to about 3" from the guard. Blade has a visible distal taper, from ~1/2"+ at the guard to ~1/4" at the spike on the back of the blade. POB is ~3" from the guard. Remember, these numbers are swags as I didn't whip out my calipers to check the taper, etc.
The handle is flat, covered in soft leather, easy for me to hold. Edge orientation is a no-brainer. The hilt is a casting finished in black and well fit. No rattle there. The pommel is probably welded onto the tang, but this is pure speculation as I'm not about to unwrap the leather to check on it.
I took the sword outside to see how it handles, and this is when I was totally blown away.
I have a few thrusting swords in my modest collection, but I find that I prefer a good cutter. This sword doesn't disappoint, and I expected that. What surprised me is its lightness and agility. Held with one hand, it swings easily and quickly. Direction changes are quick and easily executed. Held with two hands, it acts like a short-bladed katana. I was able to trim branches from my mesquite trees without issue.
This, coming from a sword that looks like it could only be handled by someone with a build like Conan The Barbarian.
This sword is the antithesis of gaudy, with its matte black fittings and brown leather. The colors of the sheath and handle match fairly well and the well-dressed barbarian or soldier should have no problems picking out appropriate accoutrements to match.
Overall and with regard to detail, I'm very, very pleased with this sword. Anyone even remotely interested in falchions, machetes, and hack-the-legs-off-a-horse swords should invest in this now, before Hanwei gets a clue and raises the price of this piece.
-----
Remember the poster tube I mentioned at the beginning of this thread?
After playing with the dadao for a while, I went back inside and opened the tube and pulled out a painting of a peasant warrior (Maoist?) wielding the dadao. I intend to frame it and hang it in the living room.
What follows is a mini-review of sorts, placed in this forum because I didn't take pictures, measurements, etc.
Been eyeing this for a while, and when I saw that Kult had stock, I jumped on it. Less than a week later (and a day early, I might add), I received the Hanwei El Cheapo Military Dadao from KofA. Less than $100 to my door.
It came in the standard cardboard box, and as I cut the tape to get it open, I saw that the sword itself was boxed in a nifty white styrofoam box of its own. Next to the sword was a cylindrical box like the kind used to store posters of supermodels, etc. I set it aside and focused on the sword....
The blade was wrapped in clear plastic and housed inside a well made sheath. This sheath is better than any Windlass, DSA, and others' sheaths I've enountered to date. It's made of heavy leather, without any hanger attachment points, and durable enough to take camping without worrying about scuffing or marring. I say this because I also have the Hanwei Bastard, and the only down side with it is the scabbard is too pretty. Likewise with my Practical Pro.
While the blade was still sheathed, I held the sword up and smacked the hilt, looking for the COP. To my surprise, and not having had a good look at the blade itself at this point, I saw that the blade didn't wobble at all.
Pulling the two tabs that allow the blade to be drawn from the sheath, I gingerly began to remove the clear plastic. The blade was covered in a thin coating of grease, so I grabbed a rag and some Windex and began to clean it, careful not to kiss the edge with any part of my body.
The blade's finish is fairly non-reflective. Looking along the sides, the blade looks machined. Slight ripples tell me it probably isn't. The blade is sharp from point to about 3" from the guard. Blade has a visible distal taper, from ~1/2"+ at the guard to ~1/4" at the spike on the back of the blade. POB is ~3" from the guard. Remember, these numbers are swags as I didn't whip out my calipers to check the taper, etc.
The handle is flat, covered in soft leather, easy for me to hold. Edge orientation is a no-brainer. The hilt is a casting finished in black and well fit. No rattle there. The pommel is probably welded onto the tang, but this is pure speculation as I'm not about to unwrap the leather to check on it.
I took the sword outside to see how it handles, and this is when I was totally blown away.
I have a few thrusting swords in my modest collection, but I find that I prefer a good cutter. This sword doesn't disappoint, and I expected that. What surprised me is its lightness and agility. Held with one hand, it swings easily and quickly. Direction changes are quick and easily executed. Held with two hands, it acts like a short-bladed katana. I was able to trim branches from my mesquite trees without issue.
This, coming from a sword that looks like it could only be handled by someone with a build like Conan The Barbarian.
This sword is the antithesis of gaudy, with its matte black fittings and brown leather. The colors of the sheath and handle match fairly well and the well-dressed barbarian or soldier should have no problems picking out appropriate accoutrements to match.
Overall and with regard to detail, I'm very, very pleased with this sword. Anyone even remotely interested in falchions, machetes, and hack-the-legs-off-a-horse swords should invest in this now, before Hanwei gets a clue and raises the price of this piece.
-----
Remember the poster tube I mentioned at the beginning of this thread?
After playing with the dadao for a while, I went back inside and opened the tube and pulled out a painting of a peasant warrior (Maoist?) wielding the dadao. I intend to frame it and hang it in the living room.
)
