Ming YanLing Dao, Han Cavalry Dao & US1860 Saber comparison

Thank you for the very nice video. 



If I may, I tried to go frame by frame on this video to see where on the blade of the m1860 you were doing the cutting.

I couldn’t be sure, but it looked like you were cutting with the middle of the blade rather than the foible. To stand as close to the target as you were, a foible cut would require a significant draw to the cut. I was not able to discern you doing so. Again, it was hard to tell. 

I believe that a Euro cavalry saber isn’t really meant to give a good cut from the middle. All the cutting (and thrusting, of course) is designed to be done from the foible.

This also mitigates the issue of the steel scabbard dulling the blade. The sword can be drawn and sheathed without the foible edges contacting the scabbard.

Regarding Chinese Dao, I am only familiar with the use of the oxtail, which is neither a cavalry nor a military saber. Having said that, an oxtail cut from the blade’s middle doesn’t really work with a Euro style cavalry blade.

jmtc