Palatial Tang Dao by LK Chen. My Review.

Introduction

I first became aware of LK Chen's swords from Skallagrim 's "Ancient Chinese Sword Reproductions Done Right!" video followed by Matt Easton's various reviews on his scholagladiatoria YouTube channel. Based upon their reviews I decided that LK Chen swords were a good bang for the buck and an excellent place to get back into collecting edged weapons.

After examining the available products on the LK Chen website and seeking out further reviews, I settled upon two swords. The Magnificent Chu Jian because I have always wanted a pattern welded sword and the one I am reviewing here the Palatial Tang Dao. My first criteria was that I wanted a single edged blade "Dao" to go along with the double edged Jian. However, I excluded several Dao due to safety concerns with the lack of hand stops. Due to the last point and liking the look of the blade geometry left me with the Palatial Tang Dao and the Frontier Tang Dao. I chose the former over the latter because I liked the cross guard over the disk guard. Finally, it was also on sale.

I placed my order directly through the LK Chen website on April 9th, 2021 and received an auto confirmation E-mail that day. I also received a direct E-mail thanking me for my order and asking some questions about how I found their product and what I thought of the website. Response to any customer service questions I had were replied to promptly. My swords shipped on April 21st and arrived on April 28th. Shipment was by UPS and came into the USA through JFK airport according to labels on the package. The swords were well packaged in Styrofoam packaging encased in a cardboard box with plastic wrapping around the swords themselves.

Historical overview

The Palatial Tang Dao's is a sword type in use during the Tang Dynasty in China that existed from AD 618 to AD 907. Its fittings are based upon those of a rare Tang Dao from a private collection and being brass would indicate a higher class owner. The blade is inspired by Tang Dao preserved in China and Japan.

Based upon the photos of the original item guard on the Palatial Tang Dao is of similar in design but seems to be slightly wider and missing a small design element. The scabbard suspension rings appear to be near identical.

That is about all I can say. As I only just became interested in Chinese weapons.

Full Disclosure

I ordered the sword from LK Chen myself and paid $350.00 of my own money plus shipping.

Initial Impressions

When the packaging arrived, the outer cardboard box was in good condition. Inside of the box was a Styrofoam enclosure protecting the sword. It was inside a silk sword and then wrapped in plastic.

The brass fittings on the scabbard and hilt as well as the rosewood used in its construction impressed me. The scabbard had a tight fit that holds the sword even if turned upside down. Upon drawing the sword for the first time, I found the blade well coated in oil form shipment, after cleaning up the excess oil the pattern in the metal of the blade became apparent as well as a fine edge.

I notice one issue. The lanyard cord that goes through the pommel cap was missing. I ask if they had stopped providing the item with the sword in an e-mail to LK Chen. KK their customer service contact got back to me within 13 minutes and told me that the missing lanyard was a mistake, offered to add one in the shipment next time I made an order. Asked me to take a photo of the hilt with missing lanyard for him to forward to their workshop and even found links on Amazon for me of the correct type of cord if I wanted to make my own in the mean time.

Statistics

Blade Length: 27.75” (70.5 cm) sharp, 28.62” (72.7 cm) from guard.

Handle Length: 8.25” (20.5 cm)

Overall Length: 37.0” (93.98 cm)

Guard Width: 4.00” (10 cm)

POB (Point of Balance): 5.5” (13.97 cm)

COP (Center of Percussion): Approximately 21.75” (55.25 cm) from guard.

Weight: 1lb, 14.3oz (0.859 kg), Note: This is lighter than the specification on the LK Chen website.

Components

The Blade

The blade according to LK Chen is folded pattern 1065 and T9 steel with clay clade differential tempering and a straight Hamon. It is a straight blade single edge blade with a chisel tip. I am not exactly sure how to describe the blade profile as most of my knowledge is about medieval European blades.

The edge came sharp but not razor sharp. I cannot cut paper just by pressing it against the edge but it will draw cut through it easily so I would say that it is maybe chisel sharp. Just by touching it however I can feel that it does feel like it has a fine edge.

I do see a mark in the blade that might be a polishing imperfection. 


















The Handle

The handle is made of Rosewood and attached onto the tang with two brass pins, one at the forward end of the grip and one through the pommel cap. The grip is for one-handed use, however its total length is such that one can easily use the offhand on the pommel if necessary.






The Guard

The guard is made of brass and is of a functional cross style with some light artistic embellishment. The photos on the LK Chen website made the guard seem smaller than it is. While only about half as wide as on the Albion Liechtenauer I have, it still feels like it offers some decent had protection compared to other swords of its time and place.








The Pommel

The pommel cap is made of brass, and fits over the end of handle and secured via a hollow brass pin that also serves as a hole to pass through and secure a lanyard to the end of the handle. The cap itself has a small flower design around the pin as well as a slightly raised decorative embellishment on the end that does not detract from the functional nature of the part.

Note that my sword did not come with the lanyard due to a quality control mistake.




The Scabbard

The scabbard like the handle is made of Rosewood, its two sides are well fitted together with a fine seem that is barley visible on the bottom of the side. It provides a very tight fit requiring a sharp tug to start the sword free. The blade collar is showing some wear lines due to the tight fit. In addition, I sometimes have a few flakes of wood or sawdust stuck to the oil on the blade.

All of the fitting on the scabbard are brass. The Chape is twice the length of the pommel cap and carries the same design on its end providing a kind visual symmetry to the sword and scabbard combination. The two suspension rings are inspired by Sasanian swords of the era, fixed in the vertical, and press fit to the scabbard due to its slightly tapering shape.















Handling Characteristics

From what I have read this type of sword was from during an era of increasing armor protection and cavalry warfare. As such, it is supposed to hit hard and has its chisel point for going through gaps in armor.

From this sword, I understand what other practitioners mean by blade presence. When you swing it, the blade just wants to keep going. However, this does not mean that the sword is unwieldy. In fact, it is quite nimble in the hand and can quickly change angles of attack and guard lines of defense. In addition, while this is a one handed sword a two handed grip is a viable option and provides excellent point control if one is thrusting with the point.

I do not have any test cutting equipment yet.

Conclusions

The Palatial Tang Dao by LK Chen for the price I paid is a good value for the money. It appears well built and to my limited experience has good handling characteristics.
Is appears to mach well with what I know of the historical examples it is based upon.

I think that LK Chen is doing a good job but this specific case could make some improvements in quality control. Customer service wise the manufacture responded quickly and took acting to address the issue with the missing lanyard.

Yes I do plan to buy from LK Chen again.

Pros

- The sword appears well made.
- The handling of the sword is excellent.
- The customer service of the manufacture was very good.

Cons

- Missing lanyard cord.
- The interior of the scabbard in my opinion could use a slightly finer sanding job.
- Possible polishing defect.

The Bottom Line

Yes I would recommend this to a friend, the price is above SBG’s focus of sub $300.00 sword, however I think that this sword is still a good value at its present price point.




I intend to do a review of the Magnificent Chu Jian also by LK Chen as time permits.