Hanwei beile Dao 贝勒刀
May 11, 2012 7:31:48 GMT
Post by junon on May 11, 2012 7:31:48 GMT
Introduction
Initially I was planning to get a jian first and then a dao. However for whatever reason I start to like Beile Dao alot and decided to get it first. That was a correct call, because the week after I decided to get one, Hanwei raised the price of all lines by 20% or so.
For the dao, I want to have a dragon theme tunkou (blade collar – habaki). It just looks so cool because the blade seems to come out of dragon mouth!
However, dragon theme tunkou is only available in high end Dao's. Based on my initial research, Hanwei got two available (the Beile Dao and Dynasty Song sword) while Huanuo got several (through SevenStarsTrading.com).
From all of those options, I decided to take Beile Dao because it's geometry – Goose Quil Sabre (Yanmaodao) which is quite rare compared to Willow Leaf Sabre (liuyedao) on Song Swords & Huanuos.
Historical overview
Hanwei marketed Beile Dao as the sword of choices for Manchu aristocrats (the Beile – Iron Capped Prince). I can't really find reference about sword of Beile Prince but based on early Qing dynasty image & potrait, almost all of them would carry a sword closely resembled the beile dao (green scabbard, yanmaodao form, and Fangshi 圆鞘 “square style” - angular fittings and scabbard on dao).
The picture above shown a common Dao used by Qing official during early Qing dynasty. It does looks like the Beile Dao, doesn't it? *except for golden fitting & different hushuo/guard model*
Full Disclosure
I paid in cash for this sword. My cousin (as my partner-in-arm) bought it for me, so I have no idea which vendor he bought it from. However I paid in pre-Hanwei rise price so it's a good deal.
Initial Impressions
The package arrived in wooden box. There is a small crack in the box due to shipping (forgot which courier my cousin uses; UPS probably). However the sword itself is intact.
The first impression: Kind of weird to hold due to fangshi/square fitting. Also since it's a single handed sword, it felt heavy in my arm (just not used to it ; right now I have no problem handling this beast).
Also I was little bit dissapointed to find out some discoloration in the handle wrapping. I thought I got a lemon! However based on hanwei stock photo, seems like it's standard from the factory... So I am ok with that (beside, I kind of like it now).
Compared to Hanwei photo, mine looks much better!
Statistics
I haven't had time to take the measurement of this sword.
But the blade is almost as long as my Bugei, so I would guess around 28”.
The grip is shorter, of course... around 5”.
Components
The Blade
'Damascus' blade. Hanwei doesn't really mention about the steel, so I can't really tell. But it's sharp and well done.
The Handle
Fangshi style... Square grip
The Guard
The guard is blackened iron with ancient dragon theme
Handling Characteristics
Feel heavy in hand (even though the dao itself is not too heavy, actually). Probably because I wasn't accustomed to single handed sword (this dao is my 2nd sword – and my first single handed).
The square grip kind of uncomfortable at hand due to 'sharp' edge on it.
Test Cutting (if applicable)
No test cutting performed.
Conclusions
Pros
- Historically accurate
- Fitting made from blackened iron with dragon theme!
- weight is correct for this type
- beautiful blade with nice dual straight fuller
- Sharp!
Cons
- Fitting would take a while to get used to
- Small scratch on lanyard ball (not a big deal - not sure if it's hanwei fault or shipping company)
The Bottom Line
I would recommend this sword for people who like a more historically accurate sword and looking for
yanmaodao/goose quil sabre and willing to paid for it... Otherwise, get a liuyedao from huanuo/Dynasty Forge model for half the price!
BONUS
Initially I was planning to get a jian first and then a dao. However for whatever reason I start to like Beile Dao alot and decided to get it first. That was a correct call, because the week after I decided to get one, Hanwei raised the price of all lines by 20% or so.
For the dao, I want to have a dragon theme tunkou (blade collar – habaki). It just looks so cool because the blade seems to come out of dragon mouth!
However, dragon theme tunkou is only available in high end Dao's. Based on my initial research, Hanwei got two available (the Beile Dao and Dynasty Song sword) while Huanuo got several (through SevenStarsTrading.com).
From all of those options, I decided to take Beile Dao because it's geometry – Goose Quil Sabre (Yanmaodao) which is quite rare compared to Willow Leaf Sabre (liuyedao) on Song Swords & Huanuos.
Historical overview
Hanwei marketed Beile Dao as the sword of choices for Manchu aristocrats (the Beile – Iron Capped Prince). I can't really find reference about sword of Beile Prince but based on early Qing dynasty image & potrait, almost all of them would carry a sword closely resembled the beile dao (green scabbard, yanmaodao form, and Fangshi 圆鞘 “square style” - angular fittings and scabbard on dao).
credit:
Zhanyinbao (占 音 保 zhan yin bao), was an officer of the Qing Army. Ink and colours on silk, 188,6 x 95,1cm. Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY.
Zhanyinbao (占 音 保 zhan yin bao), was an officer of the Qing Army. Ink and colours on silk, 188,6 x 95,1cm. Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY.
The picture above shown a common Dao used by Qing official during early Qing dynasty. It does looks like the Beile Dao, doesn't it?
*except for golden fitting & different hushuo/guard model*Full Disclosure
I paid in cash for this sword. My cousin (as my partner-in-arm) bought it for me, so I have no idea which vendor he bought it from. However I paid in pre-Hanwei rise price so it's a good deal.
Initial Impressions
The package arrived in wooden box. There is a small crack in the box due to shipping (forgot which courier my cousin uses; UPS probably). However the sword itself is intact.
The first impression: Kind of weird to hold due to fangshi/square fitting. Also since it's a single handed sword, it felt heavy in my arm (just not used to it ; right now I have no problem handling this beast).
Also I was little bit dissapointed to find out some discoloration in the handle wrapping. I thought I got a lemon! However based on hanwei stock photo, seems like it's standard from the factory... So I am ok with that (beside, I kind of like it now).
Compared to Hanwei photo, mine looks much better!
Statistics
I haven't had time to take the measurement of this sword.
But the blade is almost as long as my Bugei, so I would guess around 28”.
The grip is shorter, of course... around 5”.
Components
The Blade
'Damascus' blade. Hanwei doesn't really mention about the steel, so I can't really tell. But it's sharp and well done.
The Handle
Fangshi style... Square grip
The Guard
The guard is blackened iron with ancient dragon theme
Handling Characteristics
Feel heavy in hand (even though the dao itself is not too heavy, actually). Probably because I wasn't accustomed to single handed sword (this dao is my 2nd sword – and my first single handed).
The square grip kind of uncomfortable at hand due to 'sharp' edge on it.
Test Cutting (if applicable)
No test cutting performed.
Conclusions
Pros
- Historically accurate
- Fitting made from blackened iron with dragon theme!
- weight is correct for this type
- beautiful blade with nice dual straight fuller
- Sharp!
Cons
- Fitting would take a while to get used to
- Small scratch on lanyard ball (not a big deal - not sure if it's hanwei fault or shipping company)
The Bottom Line
I would recommend this sword for people who like a more historically accurate sword and looking for
yanmaodao/goose quil sabre and willing to paid for it... Otherwise, get a liuyedao from huanuo/Dynasty Forge model for half the price!
BONUS
