Hanwei Dadoa

I have the Hanwei Dadao and I like it. It's a mean little cutter. It is very light and fast. I've also had the pleasure of handling the coldsteel version many times at a local knife/sword shop. The coldsteel feels beefier and heavier, but not cumbersome in any ways.

I think the coldsteel is a tougher sword though, and the edge retention will certainly be a lot better as the edge on my hanwei dadao needs resharpening more often than some others swords need to, probably because of a softer steel. The guard has also loosened up a little on my hanwei, but it has no effect on the cutting performance. So far my little hanwei dadao can do anything a katana can do on a tatami mat.

But it all comes down to what you can afford in this case, the Hanwei is less than half the price of the coldsteel.

Thank for the information. I am going to start collecting Da Doa and get them all.

The hanwei dadao is the single worst version of a dadao that I have had the horror of handling, too light, too thin and I worry that the blade will shatter even in light use.

The sword cuts fine..... a tribute to the overall design of dadao. Mine however seems to have a softer temper..... not surprising since not all chen's pass through strict quality control. For less than $100, no need to complain though. Mine still cuts through most any target..... just have fine tune the edge again after every two or three cutting sessions.

Kriegschwert, I've read your rather informative review on it, but i still have one question.
I'm already aware of the dadao's thin blade, and it's light weight, but do you consider it sturdy enough to be used to cut down oh, say 1'' thick tree limbs? Or even these odd little tree-esque plants that i find around lake michigan? (in WI) As these are the kinds of targets my blades are tested against the majority of the time. (I don't like water bottles too much...) Do you think that the dadao would hold it's own against them?

~Jesse

I see, that's a little disheartening, but hey for Sub $110 sword (at KoA) it's still a pretty darn good deal. I'll probably pick one up sometime in the future. Plus i love the cord wrapping job.
Thanks, Krieg

~Jesse

I still recommend it as a dirt cheap (relatively speaking) backyard fun cutter. I don't know if I'd go after bamboo or branches with it, but other common targets don't seem to be a problem.

Btw, as far as black wrap, you could probably dye or stain the cord black with minimum effort. The wood underneath is very dark (almost black, looks like ebony) anyway, so you wouldn't have to worry about discoloring it in the process.

It would have been a pricey hobby if there are more than two companies making them so far I only find Cold steel and Hanwei . Atlanta cutlery use to have one for $88 and I kept putting away the purchase until they no longer listed in the catalog.
I am waiting for Garrett 's production Da Dao , The pictures look nice and little attention to detail (like shoulder strap ) goes a long way.Since I can strap it on my shoulder I might even take it on my camping trip this Spring