Historic Chinese Swords: How common were grip wraps?

Some swords saw more use than others, and more decay than others. For instance, many 18th and 19th century sword hilts had gilting or silver. However, many have had this property worn off.

I'm not any kind of expert on Chinese swords, but I don't think it's too unreasonable to say that the grip wrap wore off. Than again, it could be that the examples you saw were on the very low end with no wrap ever applied due to time or cost constraints. But even on the very late examples of Chinese swords which seemed very poor quality I've only seen wrapped grips.

My impression is that quite possibly most Chinese swords that formerly had wrapped grips have lost their wrapping (where "most" is over half, but not even close to "almost all"). End-of-19th-century cavalry dao were originally wrapped, but most I see today have lost their original wrap. Fancier swords are more likely to have retained grip wrapping.

From a mix of looking at antiques and Ming and Qing art, wrappings were common, with probably more swords with wrapped grips than without. Horn and bone grips were, AFAICT, usually unwrapped, but wooden grips were usually wrapped. Ornamentally carved grips (included wooden ones) were usually unwrapped. Unwrapped wooden grips sometimes had very long ferrules at both ends of the grip and/or very large ornamental washers for the through-grip rivet. Metal-covered grips were usually unwrapped. Military dao were more likely to be wrapped than civilian dao.

Wraps appear to be common during the Song, but I haven't seen enough art to say whether "most". We have some surviving Han swords with traces of wrap, so it's an old practice.

Thanks.
I think the entire grip would need to be sized down to accommodate the wrap.
I agree that the wrap should be flush in height with the ferrule and pommel cap. However, I suspect slimming only the ends of the grip would leave it too fat in the middle after it’s wrapped.

If I recall correctly, Peter would use paper or some other material between the wood and wrap to ensure a secure non-slip grip (similar to ray skin same on a katana). I may be mistaken, though. Obviously, the grip would need to be sized accordingly.

Even with the leather wrap, my project was just too fat to grip comfortably when I was finished. Also, I really needed to rough up the wood for the wrap to get a better purchase.

It sounds like you are considering having a custom dao made. If so, you can obviously have the grip made whatever size you want. You mentioned your dao would be expensive. For a top shelf kind of project, getting Peter to do the grip wrap would likely be worth the effort. I wouldn’t worry too much about transatlantic shipping. Just buy the insurance.

If you are having irreplaceable fittings custom made, maybe have the maker produce a blank set to the same dimensions for shipping abroad.

It isn't helped by replica grips often being thicker (unwrapped) than antique grips (wrapped).

I used that guide several years ago. A good closeup is in this link: sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/44771/updated-condor-dadao-wrapped-hilt

The dadao is a condor and had a too thin grip, IMHO, so the wrap helps immensely. If I had it to do over again I would have put something between the wrap and the hilt to simulate rayskin. As it is, it looks great and doesn't slip (and I cut with this sword...you have to cut with it because it's so much fun!).

Anyway, I say give it a go. It took a few tries to get the pattern going and tight, but if I can do it anyone can.


Eric