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Post by Eric Bergeron on Sept 19, 2024 2:37:04 GMT
I was hoping LK chen would of came out with one of these, but a las they have not yet. So, what is the next best thing out there? I'd like it if someone has links or pictures to anything available.
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Post by mrstabby on Sept 19, 2024 5:54:22 GMT
Dynasty Forge had one, but I haven't seen one being sold for a long time. Was a nice piece though. Maybe second hand or sonme shop still has one?
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Post by Eric Bergeron on Sept 19, 2024 13:21:21 GMT
Yeah, unfortunately Dynasty Forge was a great option, had I known they were going to go out of stock and never come back all these years later, I would have not sold mine years ago. Seems no one does a good option for a willow leaf saber, everyone does goose quill and earlier.
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AJGBlack
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"This world will stress you like Orson Wells on the radio." -RTJ
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Post by AJGBlack on Sept 19, 2024 13:26:07 GMT
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Post by Eric Bergeron on Sept 19, 2024 19:31:05 GMT
Yup I did see that and didn't like the look of it, so I picked LKchen's Yan Ling dao to tide me over while I continue my search.
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Post by larason2 on Sept 20, 2024 1:53:23 GMT
Wang katana have quite a few Qing era daos that are similar to the willow leaf. For instance this one: www.ebay.com/itm/404595026207?itmmeta=01J86HF6W2XSP03RDCB7WVYJMK&hash=item5e33be291f:g:ErIAAOSwc8BifLrlThe willow leaf was a popular decoration at the time, but there were always a variety of themes that were popular in similar swords. I like the wood and brass look some of them have myself. LK Chen has the new Huang Taiji Dao, that's a Qing era one, looks a lot like the willow leaf one. The Yan Ling dao they make is also very similar. Are you more after the willow leaf style blade and hilt, or more that specific decoration style? A lot of the daos of that period look similar, but not all have the exact motif. The dao with that motif gives the general style its name, however. |
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Post by Eric Bergeron on Sept 20, 2024 2:59:59 GMT
larason2 the Huang Taiji Dao is a variant of the Yan Ling Dao so since I already have bought that style, no need to duplicate it, plus it looks way to fancy for my tastes, like the look of the Yan Ling much better. As far as the Wang Katana Qing daos, I almost wanted to try one until I saw that, 1) blade length is only 25" I want at least 27", 2) they use alloy metal for the guard & pommel which having had a sword from them with alloy and one with steel/brass, you can tell the weight difference and I wanted something more historical then a modern alloy used. So that left me with searching and I kept coming back to I like the style of the Dynasty Forge liuyedao and so I just bought the last cold steel version from KoA for $400 which at that price I think was a good deal.
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Post by pellius on Sept 20, 2024 12:36:28 GMT
The only “full size” liuyedao I ever found were from forge intermediaries such as Hanbon and Hero Sword. Though stylistically fine and safely constructed, they seemed to only manage moderate distal taper and relied on welded-tang nut-under-pommel construction.
I have one from Hero Sword that is around 36” oal. The folded steel is straight, symmetrical, and pretty with no welding flaws. The welded tang is also very robust though not artful. As a display and occasional use sword, it’s nice.
Still, like most military repros, the forte is a bit too thin and the foible is far too thick. Despite some distal taper, the blade feels like a scaled up fascine knife.
My opinion of the old DF version isn’t all that favorable tbh, but if they did a re-release I’d still buy one.
The best sword I have found of similar ethos is a first gen French 1822 light cav trooper. Obviously the guard is different and does not lend itself to form sets or some moves. Still, the willow leaf shape is perfect and the blade feel is outstanding. It’s what turned me to antiques in the first place.
If you find a good source for liuyedao, please let us know!
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Post by Eric Bergeron on Sept 20, 2024 21:45:56 GMT
pellius Not sure if you saw, but cold steel brought back a version of the liuyedao with these stats, I haven't received it yet just shipped today, I definitely wouldn't buy it at its ridiculous price they wanted brand new at close to $700, but for the $400 I thought it was reasonably. Stats look good on paper, will shall see in person. Overall Length 35 1/2" Blade Length 28 3/16" Weight 2 lbs 1 oz Edge Very Sharp Width 33 mm Thickness 6.8 mm - 4.4 mm Pommel Nut P.O.B. 7 5/8" Grip Length 5 1/16"
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AndiTheBarvarian
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Sept 21, 2024 9:13:08 GMT
1000-1200 € here in Germany!
Bah!
The Hanwei Scott Rodell Cutting Dao?
Dunno if it's willow leaf or a very similar type, but comes close.
Same with the Manchurian Dao/Manchu Prince Dao from Dynasty Forge or Huanuo (the forge of DF)
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Post by pellius on Sept 21, 2024 12:40:17 GMT
I waited years for the Rodell Dao to be released.
When I finally got one, it turned out to be a fine sword, but the blade was basically the same as any other modern made katana. While probably an accurate representation of some historical Chinese saber, it definitely wasn’t a goose quill or willow leaf. It did not “out-katana” a katana.
Lemme check out these fresh Cold Steel shenanigans…
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Post by pellius on Sept 21, 2024 12:58:45 GMT
Congrats on your soon to arrive sword! Is it this one? www.coldsteel.com/willow-leaf-sword-2020/It is what Google returned for a search of “cold steel liuyedao.” Cold Steel also calls it a Willow Leaf Sword. That particular sword is an oxtail (niuweidao), not a willow leaf (liuyedao). I bring that up not to be pedantic, but because your op specifically seeks a willow leaf. I could not immediately get the spec sheet to load. Based on your numbers, the specs actually look pretty good. An almost three foot sword weighing only a hair over 2 pounds is very impressive. 35.5” is unusually large as oxtails go, but imho about the right length for the stature of a modern westerner. The CS also tries for an appropriately short grip - something very rare for “functional” modern niuweidao. With no spec sheet, I can’t quite be sure of the grip length, though. Do you have a link to the sword model you bought? |
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AndiTheBarvarian
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Sept 21, 2024 13:39:34 GMT
This: www.cold-steel.de/en/chinese-sabreLooks good, just the price too high. The CS "Willow Leaf" is indeed a "new way dao". I own a liuyedao from an unknown forge, probably Longquan, sold by a German store. Not bad, but size and weight of a two hander. 66% of this would be nice, so I'm still watching too. |
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Post by pellius on Sept 21, 2024 14:35:33 GMT
Ooooo. Nice Thanks Andi Yeah, if that one is 35.5” at just over two pounds, I’m impressed. Is that a pinned and peened hilt? Uh oh. Even at an Albion price, I’m super tempted. Update www.coldsteel.com/chinese-saber/$800 in the US. So available at Squire Line/DSA prices. Oh no!! I THOUGHT I didn’t need any more swords.. |
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AndiTheBarvarian
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Sept 21, 2024 14:38:25 GMT
Maybe Black Friday...
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AJGBlack
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Post by AJGBlack on Sept 21, 2024 15:22:01 GMT
Ooooo. Nice Thanks Andi Yeah, if that one is 35.5” at just over two pounds, I’m impressed. Is that a pinned and peened hilt? Uh oh. Even at an Albion price, I’m super tempted. Update www.coldsteel.com/chinese-saber/$800 in the US. So available at Squire Line/DSA prices. Oh no!! I THOUGHT I didn’t need any more swords.. Chicago Knife Works has it at >$600 www.chicagoknifeworks.com/cold-steel-chinese-sabre/I've ordered from them before and had a good experience. They even processed a recent return in a timely fashion. |
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Post by pellius on Sept 21, 2024 16:17:09 GMT
No one ‘round here is gonna talk me out of this, are they
If I haven’t changed my mind in a couple of weeks or so, I’ll pick one up.
Let’s hope that 4.04 pounds figure is total shipping weight
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Post by pellius on Sept 21, 2024 16:21:59 GMT
Dang it
KoA has em under $500
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AndiTheBarvarian
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Sept 21, 2024 16:34:42 GMT
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AJGBlack
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Post by AJGBlack on Sept 21, 2024 16:56:12 GMT
Dang it KoA has em under $500 Close out, and out of stock on KoA. Boooooooo |
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