Sword n Armory Qin/Qing Dao Review
May 25, 2011 5:59:00 GMT
Post by Jayhawk on May 25, 2011 5:59:00 GMT
Introduction
While I've been collecting swords, primarily antiques, since the early 1980s, I've been primarily interested in European weapons (as well as whatever I can find at garage sales, antique stores, and thrift shops), but I recently became interested in Chinese swords...particularly the dao. I needed a piece to decorate an empty wall in a Chinese den in my house, I didn't want to spend a lot of money, but I wanted something well made and preferably functional (just because I think all weapons should be functional if at all possible). I came across the Sword n Armory Qin Dao (the product brochure that came with the sword called it a Qing Dao), and at only $54 on sale seemed too good to be true but had 6 good reviews on the Sword N Armory site. After a few emails with the Sword n Armory people (they'd used it for light to medium cutting, felt is was tempered medium carbon steel...most likely 1045, etc.) I went ahead and made the purchase. If well tempered, I have no issue with 1045 steel. The sword came today, so it was time for a review since no board member had one of these.
Historical overview
The Qing Dao is allegedly based on Daos used during the Qing Dynasty. It has a willow leaf blade. Not being a collector of historical Chinese daos, it looks like willow leaf Daos and particularly QIng era Daos made by many other makers. Here is the first of many pics:
Full Disclosure
Nothing to disclose except that I know nothing about historical Daos and have little experience with reproduction swords. I posted pics of my collection, which is mostly antiques, over in the collection section if you want to see my other swords.
Initial Impressions
The sword came vie Fed Ex Ground from California to my house in Missouri in 6 days. It was double boxed, and the internal box held the sword in place in Styrofoam. Overall, I'd say it was well packed, and the sword had no apparent damage. The one negative thing I'd read from a couple of review was that the end cap wasn't on very well, and mine came off with a gentle pull. It appears to have been shellacked on. More on the hilt/tang later (with pics). Except for this, the sword was hefty, tight (no rattles), and had beautiful wood on the hilt and the sheath made from African Rosewood (Millettia Laurenti). My initial impression was that it was a good value, and if fact worth more than I paid (even considering the endcap). For $54, you have to realize corners are cut somewhere, and the end cap, and bronzed fittings appear to be where money was saved.
Statistics
Blade/Nagasa Length: 27.25"
Handle/Tsuka Length: 7.5"
Overall Length: 33.5"
Guard/Tsuba Width: Oval 3.75" by 2.75"
POB (Point of Balance): 5,5"
Weight: 3"
Components
The Blade/Nagasa: Willow leaf saber blade with 2 fullers. Semi-sharpened, and not even sharpened at that. The blade is heavy and you feel like you need to slash/cut something with it.
This shows the blade better than my other pictures (forgive the oil and prints please):
The Handle/Tsuka: African rosewood handle. Large enough to use two hands on if your hands are small enough like mine. Length as above is 7.5". End cap came falling off from the start. I glued it back on with rubber cement, well, because I had it on hand and I knew I could easily remove it and use something better. Any suggestions? I need to glue wood to the bronzed steel fitting.
The Guard/Tsuba: Dragon and Phoenix motif. I think it looks nice, but I'm not sure what kind of steel in beneath the bronzing...and I'm guessing they're cast?
Tang: Well, since the end cap came off, and that nut was there...you know I'd just have to take her apart and look at the tang. Sword n Armory calls this full tang:
It's a pretty hefty tang, especially compared to my "battle ready" Deepeeka Archers sword's tang:
The Dao's tang is 6" long, 1/2" wide at the base tapering to 1/4" wide at the thinnest point, and 1/4" thick throughout. There is a heavy weld as can be seen in the third picture where the threaded bit is added. My first thought, not being an expert on reproductions, was to think..."that's a stinkin' rat tail tang". Seeing it made me take apart my Deepeeka sword, and then I read this article by Tinker Peace: www.sword-manufacturers-guide.com/good-sword.html . Apparently, it's not uncommon to have the threaded bit welded on and it's not a problem if done well (the weld looks good and heavy and appears well done on my sword). Also, the picture in this article of a good tang isn't too far removed proportionally to my tang (although his is prettier). In the end, I think it's a pretty functional tang, and I'll cut with it someday (big storms tonight, so no cutting for me)...but I'm in no hurry and don't want to hurt the sword.
I'd appreciate anyone's thoughts on the tang. The handle is clearly cut specifically for this sword and fits snuggly over the tang. All in all, the whole assembly, except the end cap, is sturdy.
The Scabbard/Saya: The scarab is more African Rosewood with bronzed steel fittings. I'm a bit nervous the bottom fitting could come lose if it's shellacked on...again, I'm open to hints on good glues just in case!
Handling Characteristics
This is a heavy sword...about the weight of historical oxblade daos from what I've read. I can swing it one handed, or use two hands with the lower hand over the brass end cap.
Test Cutting
Deferred...testing in the rain holding a 3 lb carbon steel blade with lightening all around me seemed like a really bad idea!
Update: I did a brief bit of sharpening (not nearly enough), but the sword made short work of the double cardboard box it came in. Because I was hurrying, I didn't have time to try any water bottles, but it cut through the approximately 1/3 to 1/2 inch green branch I had nearby without issue. Edge remained perfect, sword had no issues with this quick test.
I also decided to check the flex of the sword since I was messing around with it before taking my son to school. Despite the blade's thickness, I flexed it to about 25-30 degrees or so several times, both ways, and it returned to true with no issues. I'm not brave enough to try flexing if further.
Conclusions
This sword is a bargain. If you just want a wall hanger that's not an oxtail bladed Dao like Hanweis and has a nice scarab, this will do nicely. It feels functional, and the tang seemed fairly substantial. I do plan on doing some light test cutting with it (bottles, small branches). A couple of reviewers on Sword n Armory have reported cutting bottles, boxes and branches with no problems and no dulling/chipping of the blade, and that matches the shops recommendation that is was good for light to medium cutting. No, it's not a full tang like on a katana...but many of my historical swords have tangs of similar size (based upon the size of the hilt...I don't take my antiques apart...and the fact you don't see the hilt sandwiched on a full tang). It is not nearly as beautiful as some $300 swords I've looked at...but with shipping this was $69 and my review should be viewed in that light.
Pros
Cheap!
Attractive
Solid, no rattles
Decent tang (IMHO)
Cons
End cap not glued on properly and/or thread does not go through the end cap to alleviate the need for glue
Fittings are of unknown "steel" beneath a bronze finish
The Bottom Line
Here is my sword's new home:
It hangs above a tank of SE Asian fish with dragons and pagodas as decorations in the tank. I'd gladly buy this sword again, and I'd recommend it to people looking for a bargain priced willow leaf dao for either decorative purposes or to have what I believe to be a functional sword at a bargain basement price. Granted, if my cutting tests prove otherwise, I'll update the review.
While I've been collecting swords, primarily antiques, since the early 1980s, I've been primarily interested in European weapons (as well as whatever I can find at garage sales, antique stores, and thrift shops), but I recently became interested in Chinese swords...particularly the dao. I needed a piece to decorate an empty wall in a Chinese den in my house, I didn't want to spend a lot of money, but I wanted something well made and preferably functional (just because I think all weapons should be functional if at all possible). I came across the Sword n Armory Qin Dao (the product brochure that came with the sword called it a Qing Dao), and at only $54 on sale seemed too good to be true but had 6 good reviews on the Sword N Armory site. After a few emails with the Sword n Armory people (they'd used it for light to medium cutting, felt is was tempered medium carbon steel...most likely 1045, etc.) I went ahead and made the purchase. If well tempered, I have no issue with 1045 steel. The sword came today, so it was time for a review since no board member had one of these.
Historical overview
The Qing Dao is allegedly based on Daos used during the Qing Dynasty. It has a willow leaf blade. Not being a collector of historical Chinese daos, it looks like willow leaf Daos and particularly QIng era Daos made by many other makers. Here is the first of many pics:
Full Disclosure
Nothing to disclose except that I know nothing about historical Daos and have little experience with reproduction swords. I posted pics of my collection, which is mostly antiques, over in the collection section if you want to see my other swords.
Initial Impressions
The sword came vie Fed Ex Ground from California to my house in Missouri in 6 days. It was double boxed, and the internal box held the sword in place in Styrofoam. Overall, I'd say it was well packed, and the sword had no apparent damage. The one negative thing I'd read from a couple of review was that the end cap wasn't on very well, and mine came off with a gentle pull. It appears to have been shellacked on. More on the hilt/tang later (with pics). Except for this, the sword was hefty, tight (no rattles), and had beautiful wood on the hilt and the sheath made from African Rosewood (Millettia Laurenti). My initial impression was that it was a good value, and if fact worth more than I paid (even considering the endcap). For $54, you have to realize corners are cut somewhere, and the end cap, and bronzed fittings appear to be where money was saved.
Statistics
Blade/Nagasa Length: 27.25"
Handle/Tsuka Length: 7.5"
Overall Length: 33.5"
Guard/Tsuba Width: Oval 3.75" by 2.75"
POB (Point of Balance): 5,5"
Weight: 3"
Components
The Blade/Nagasa: Willow leaf saber blade with 2 fullers. Semi-sharpened, and not even sharpened at that. The blade is heavy and you feel like you need to slash/cut something with it.
This shows the blade better than my other pictures (forgive the oil and prints please):
The Handle/Tsuka: African rosewood handle. Large enough to use two hands on if your hands are small enough like mine. Length as above is 7.5". End cap came falling off from the start. I glued it back on with rubber cement, well, because I had it on hand and I knew I could easily remove it and use something better. Any suggestions? I need to glue wood to the bronzed steel fitting.
The Guard/Tsuba: Dragon and Phoenix motif. I think it looks nice, but I'm not sure what kind of steel in beneath the bronzing...and I'm guessing they're cast?
Tang: Well, since the end cap came off, and that nut was there...you know I'd just have to take her apart and look at the tang. Sword n Armory calls this full tang:
It's a pretty hefty tang, especially compared to my "battle ready" Deepeeka Archers sword's tang:
The Dao's tang is 6" long, 1/2" wide at the base tapering to 1/4" wide at the thinnest point, and 1/4" thick throughout. There is a heavy weld as can be seen in the third picture where the threaded bit is added. My first thought, not being an expert on reproductions, was to think..."that's a stinkin' rat tail tang". Seeing it made me take apart my Deepeeka sword, and then I read this article by Tinker Peace: www.sword-manufacturers-guide.com/good-sword.html . Apparently, it's not uncommon to have the threaded bit welded on and it's not a problem if done well (the weld looks good and heavy and appears well done on my sword). Also, the picture in this article of a good tang isn't too far removed proportionally to my tang (although his is prettier). In the end, I think it's a pretty functional tang, and I'll cut with it someday (big storms tonight, so no cutting for me)...but I'm in no hurry and don't want to hurt the sword.
I'd appreciate anyone's thoughts on the tang. The handle is clearly cut specifically for this sword and fits snuggly over the tang. All in all, the whole assembly, except the end cap, is sturdy.
The Scabbard/Saya: The scarab is more African Rosewood with bronzed steel fittings. I'm a bit nervous the bottom fitting could come lose if it's shellacked on...again, I'm open to hints on good glues just in case!
Handling Characteristics
This is a heavy sword...about the weight of historical oxblade daos from what I've read. I can swing it one handed, or use two hands with the lower hand over the brass end cap.
Test Cutting
Deferred...testing in the rain holding a 3 lb carbon steel blade with lightening all around me seemed like a really bad idea!
Update: I did a brief bit of sharpening (not nearly enough), but the sword made short work of the double cardboard box it came in. Because I was hurrying, I didn't have time to try any water bottles, but it cut through the approximately 1/3 to 1/2 inch green branch I had nearby without issue. Edge remained perfect, sword had no issues with this quick test.
I also decided to check the flex of the sword since I was messing around with it before taking my son to school. Despite the blade's thickness, I flexed it to about 25-30 degrees or so several times, both ways, and it returned to true with no issues. I'm not brave enough to try flexing if further.
Conclusions
This sword is a bargain. If you just want a wall hanger that's not an oxtail bladed Dao like Hanweis and has a nice scarab, this will do nicely. It feels functional, and the tang seemed fairly substantial. I do plan on doing some light test cutting with it (bottles, small branches). A couple of reviewers on Sword n Armory have reported cutting bottles, boxes and branches with no problems and no dulling/chipping of the blade, and that matches the shops recommendation that is was good for light to medium cutting. No, it's not a full tang like on a katana...but many of my historical swords have tangs of similar size (based upon the size of the hilt...I don't take my antiques apart...and the fact you don't see the hilt sandwiched on a full tang). It is not nearly as beautiful as some $300 swords I've looked at...but with shipping this was $69 and my review should be viewed in that light.
Pros
Cheap!
Attractive
Solid, no rattles
Decent tang (IMHO)
Cons
End cap not glued on properly and/or thread does not go through the end cap to alleviate the need for glue
Fittings are of unknown "steel" beneath a bronze finish
The Bottom Line
Here is my sword's new home:
It hangs above a tank of SE Asian fish with dragons and pagodas as decorations in the tank. I'd gladly buy this sword again, and I'd recommend it to people looking for a bargain priced willow leaf dao for either decorative purposes or to have what I believe to be a functional sword at a bargain basement price. Granted, if my cutting tests prove otherwise, I'll update the review.
Yeh, you flex tested it more then enough for such a beefy blade of unknown origin... the last thing you want is the thing to explode in your face.
