Battle Ready
Iron Tiger ForgeSKU KOA_AC0929

Iron Tiger Forge Tang Dynasty Long Dao

4.00 · 1 review

In stock

Price range: $649.99 through $749.99

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Class
Battle Ready
Blade
1045 & 1065 Folded High Carbon Steel
Weight
3 lb 1.5 oz
Culture
Chinese

Overview

Iron Tiger Forge Tang Dynasty Long Dao

During the Tang Dynasty (618907) the single-edged Dao was a popular weapon, having muscled out the Jian for military preeminence centuries earlier. Notice how the blade bears a resemblance to the katana? During the Tang Dynasty, many Chinese and Korean smiths emigrated to Japan where their metallurgical skills were in demand. From these Tang smiths the Japanese would adopt the swordmaking techniques of folded steel and the use of clay for differential hardening. Even as late as the 12th century, many Japanese smiths were were claiming fabled Chinese smith Ganjiang as the original patron of their skills.

This Tang Dao was made in Longquan, a region that was central to sword production in the Song Dynasty. The blade is folded high carbon steel of 1045 and 1065, it contains 6,600 layers. It is the higher grade of steel from this manufacturer and has a more finished polish that brings out its additional steel layers. Folded steel was a common blademaking method in China as it minimized impurities and melded hard and flexible steels together for a compromise containing both qualities.

The fittings are of handmade brass and feature the peony flower, regarded as the flower of riches and honor in China. The scabbard and grip are of darkened wood. The sword comes in a wooden, ornamented gift box with a boxed cleaning kit and a silk embroidered sword bag.

Specifications

Every measurement that matters

Culture
Chinese
Pommel
Threaded
Blade Length
28 7/8''
Blade
1045 & 1065 Folded High Carbon Steel
Weight
3 lb 1.5 oz
Edge
Very Sharp
P.O.B.
3 3/8''
Thickness
6.3 mm - 4.6 mm
Width
29.4 mm
Grip Length
7 5/8''
Class
Battle Ready
Type
Dao

Reviews

What collectors are saying

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Showing 1 review
  1. Dake W.

    Great sword, nicely made. but problematic sheath The sword is of good quality as displayed in the picture. Not as sharp as I thought. It comes with a cleaning kit and a beautiful case. But the sheath has some issues. The sword doesn’t go all the way into it. It goes till you reach the bronze part right above the handle. At that point, I had to force it in. And it is really hard to pull it out once I forced it in (the sword come with the sword forced all the way in, took 2 of us to pull it out). I think the sword is grinding on the inside of the sheath (that could be why it is so hard to put it into the sheath), every time I pulled the sword out of the sheath, the blade brings out some small black shattered chunks.

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The Maker

Iron Tiger Forge

A Kult of Athena developed line, Iron Tiger Forge focuses on high quality Chinese swords and Martial Arts weapons. By working directly with the factory we are able to provide these products at unheard of prices for the level of quality and materials.

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