LK Chen – Song Hand Dao
In stock
$399.99
- Shipping estimated at checkout
- Every blade inspected before shipping
- 30-day returns
- Class
- Battle Ready
- Blade
- T10 High Carbon Steel
- Weight
- 2 lbs 7.4 oz
- Brand
- LK Chen
- Culture
- Chinese
- Era
- Song Dynasty
Overview
LK Chen - Song Hand Dao
The Song Hand Dao from LK Chen is a meticulous 1:1 recreation of an well-preserved original Song Dynasty Dao and its design represents some of the earliest wide-bladed Chinese Dao - a sword type that would develop into a distinctive style in following centuries. Swords such as these would have been a common military sword of about 960 - 1270 AD and the wide-blade design gives the sword an emphasis on ferociously powerful chopping power. The blade spine is quite thick which not only stiffens the blade and ensures that it is durable, but it also gives the blade extra mass with which to power it through authoritative and decisive chopping strokes. While largely intended for single-handed use, the grip is long enough to allow for a second hand when needed. Altogether this is a fine replica of a practical Chinese military Dao of the Song.
The polished blade is forged from T10 high carbon steel and has been differentially-tempered in the traditional clay tempering method; this process left behind a vibrantly visible hamon line of hardened steel along the edge of the blade and the rest of the blade is a softer hardness designed for shock-absorption and optimizing resilience. This sword will cut and chop through bamboo with ease in skilled hands. The blade collar, guard and pommel ring are blackened iron and the wooden grip is bound in tightened cord. The scabbard is carved from white wood and polished to a smooth finish before being completed with matching cord binding.
Specifications
Every measurement that matters
- Brand
- LK Chen
- Culture
- Chinese
- Era
- Song Dynasty
- Pommel
- Integrated and Pinned
- Blade Length
- 25 1/2"
- Blade
- T10 High Carbon Steel
- Weight
- 2 lbs 7.4 oz
- Edge
- Sharp
- P.O.B.
- 6 3/4"
- Thickness
- 7 mm - 4.7 mm
- Width
- 37 mm - 39 mm
- Grip Length
- 7 7/8"
- Class
- Battle Ready
- Country of Origin
- China
Reviews
What collectors are saying
Q&A
Questions from the community
Q What is this sword designed to be used for? Common Question
This is a battle-ready recreation of a Song Dynasty military dao, built for the same job the original filled: powerful single-handed chopping. The wide blade, thick spine, and sharp edge make it suited to test cutting on targets like bamboo in skilled hands, as well as display as a historically accurate piece.
Q What steel is the blade made from, and how durable is it? Common Question
The blade is forged from T10 high carbon steel and clay-tempered in the traditional method, leaving a visible hamon along the edge. This differential hardening gives a harder cutting edge while keeping the spine and body of the blade softer for shock absorption, so the sword holds an edge while resisting chipping or snapping under a hard chopping stroke.
Q Does this sword have a full tang, and is it sturdy enough for real use? Common Question
The pommel is integrated and pinned, meaning the tang runs the full length of the grip and is secured directly at the pommel rather than relying on a separate fitting. Combined with the thick, differentially-tempered T10 spine, this gives the sword the structural integrity expected of a battle-ready piece rather than a display-only assembly.
Q Can this sword actually cut, and what condition does the edge ship in? Common Question
Yes, the edge ships sharp. In skilled hands it will cut and chop through targets like bamboo, in keeping with the wide, chopping-focused blade geometry of the original Song-era dao it recreates.
Q What is the point of balance, and what does it mean for handling? Common Question
The point of balance sits 6 3/4" out from the guard. That forward balance puts extra mass into the blade for driving through a chopping stroke, matching the design intent of a wide-bladed dao meant for authoritative, decisive cuts rather than quick point work.
Q Can this sword be used two-handed? Common Question
It's built primarily as a single-handed sword, but the 7 7/8" grip leaves enough room to bring a second hand onto the handle when extra power or control is needed, such as through a heavy chop.
Q What are the guard, collar, and pommel made of? Common Question
The blade collar, guard, and pommel ring are blackened iron. The grip itself is wood, wrapped tightly in cord for a secure hold.
Q What is the scabbard made of, and how is it finished? Common Question
The scabbard is carved from white wood and polished to a smooth finish, then wrapped in cord that matches the binding on the grip.
Q How should I care for this sword to keep it in good condition? Common Question
Since the blade ships sharp and is high carbon steel, wipe it down after handling and apply a light coat of oil to the blade to prevent rust, especially given China's humid regions during shipping and storage. Store the sword in a dry place; the wood scabbard protects the edge but doesn't replace keeping the blade clean and lightly oiled between uses.
Q How much does the sword weigh, and what does that support? Common Question
It weighs 2 lbs 7.4 oz, with a blade that runs 7 mm thick at the spine down to 4.7 mm. That mass and spine thickness are what give the wide dao blade its authoritative chopping power while keeping the sword stiff and durable through use.
Video
See it in motion
If You Like 'em "Thicc", This Sword is for You!
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
The packaging from KOA was excellent as usual. The sword is awesome. Very well constructed. The hamon line is definitely visible. Well worth the money! Haven’t used it yet. Probably like most of the video reviews already out there it would be good for soft targets. Still an excellent sword for collecting or some use.
This sword is fantastic! Nice fit and finish the blade is razor sharp. This sword is well balanced and moves with authority for being a heavier blade. Definitely a sword i recommend picking up.