LK Chen – Niu Wei Dao
In stock
$369.99
- Shipping estimated at checkout
- Every blade inspected before shipping
- 30-day returns
- Class
- Battle Ready
- Blade
- GB 60Si2MnA High Carbon Manganese Spring Steel
- Overall Length
- 37 1/2"
- Weight
- 2 lbs 5 oz
- Brand
- LK Chen
- Culture
- Chinese
- Era
- Qing Dynasty
Overview
LK Chen - Niu Wei Dao
The Niu Wei Dao from LK Chen is a fine and highly functional recreation of the late Qing Dynasty "Oxtail" Dao; an iconic design that found favor in the 19th century among militias, bodyguards, martial artists and commoner's alike. The flared design with a reverse-curved grip is optimized for powerful, sweeping cuts on lightly armored or unarmored targets and its rise parallels the disappearance of armor and the ascendance of firearms in China.
Unlike many modern replicas, LK Chen's version of the Niu Wei Dao began with a close study of period originals to ensure that the sword had the significant distal tapering of the blade needed to give it a favorable weight and lively balance. Many poorer reproductions have blades too thick in the flared cutting section of the blade, but LK Chen's model thins considerably to create a flat and wide cutting plane which not only benefits the balance and handling of the sword, but also allow it to cut into and through a target with minimized drag and resistance.
The blade is forged from GB 60Si2MnA High Carbon Manganese Steel which is a spring steel that is not only resilient, but able to flex and return true with ease. The blade is also suitably stiff and not floppy or whippy, thus keeping loss of cutting potential to excess flex at a minimum. The tempered hardness is 54-55 HRc and the edge is honed and sharp. The large guard, ferrule and pommel are crafted from fire-blackened cast iron with a lacquered finish coat. The wooden grip is bound in intricately braided black cord and the sword tang is both pinned to the grip and peened over the pommel for dual-security and a tough construction.
The sword is matched with a scabbard of well-carved and smoothly polished wood which is completed with fittings of blackened bronze.
Specifications
Every measurement that matters
- Brand
- LK Chen
- Culture
- Chinese
- Era
- Qing Dynasty
- Pommel
- Integrated and Peened
- Overall Length
- 37 1/2"
- Blade Length
- 29 1/4"
- Blade
- GB 60Si2MnA High Carbon Manganese Spring Steel
- Weight
- 2 lbs 5 oz
- Edge
- Very Sharp
- P.O.B.
- 5"
- Thickness
- 5.7 mm - 1.1 mm
- Width
- 34.7 mm - 56.2 mm
- Grip Length
- 5 1/4" (Cord Wrapped Portion)
- Class
- Battle Ready
- Country of Origin
- China
- Color
- Black
- Type
- Dao
Reviews
What collectors are saying
Q&A
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Video
See it in motion
Kult of Athena LK Chen Niu Wei Dao
Review and testing of the Niu Wei Dao from LK Chen Swords
LK Chen Niu Wei Dao Review
LK Chen Niu Wei Dao/Oxtail saber overview 牛尾刀概览
The Maker
LK Chen
LK Chen produces faithful recreations of historical Chinese swords and weapons  with highly precise blade geometry and balance. They take great efforts to adhere to the authenticity of a weapon and its particular historical era in order to produce the most accurate recreations available.
Often paired together
This is an amazing Sword. For years I wanted a good quality Dao. It’s perfectly built.
Best sword for money nowadays. A bit heavy, but spring steel is worth weight for training and not worrying about bending blade. Perhaps in future they will stock the tempered steel versions….
Just received this one. As expected KOA packing and service, top notch! Was debating as to whether I wanted this one. Glad, very glad I pushed the button and got one. Way better than expected. Quality is great. The Dao itself shows a lot of thought as to being a useful sword. Very sharp and a delight to hold in the hand.
This was my first LK Chen blade and I was not disappointed. It is a very well made and usable sword. It use it for performances, but it’s great for training too with some caution of course.