LK Chen – Tang Heng Dao
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$379.99
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- Every blade inspected before shipping
- 30-day returns
- Class
- Battle Ready
- Blade
- 65 Mn High Carbon Steel
- Overall Length
- 37 1/4"
- Weight
- 2 lb 1.7 oz
- Brand
- LK Chen
- Culture
- Chinese
Overview
LK Chen - Tang Heng Dao
The LK Chen Tang Heng Dao is an excellent reproduction of the Tang Heng Military Dao. Suitable for footman and horseman alike, these Heng Dao were intended to be a compact and capable sidearm for Tang soldiery and guardsmen. The sword scabbard has the twin-ring suspension system that allows its hanging angle to be tailored to nearly horizontal for cavalrymen - a development that the Chinese likely adopted from the cavalrymen of the Sassanian Empire.
The sharpened blade is forged from 65 Mn High Carbon steel and it has a thick spine on the blade to impart impressive durability and rigidity, allowing the sword to cut and thrust with great ability. The wedge-shaped cross section gives the edge a long and sloping cutting plane with which to able sever a target. A thinned false edge on the tip allows for a greater variance of attack angles and minimized drag and resistance in a strike.
The guard and pommel are fashioned from blackened iron and the grip is polished Rosewood. Though intended for single-handed use many wielders will find enough room to add a second hand if desired. The paired scabbard is well-carved from matching Rosewood and iron fittings.
Specifications
Every measurement that matters
- Brand
- LK Chen
- Culture
- Chinese
- Pommel
- Pinned
- Overall Length
- 37 1/4"
- Blade Length
- 28 7/16"
- Blade
- 65 Mn High Carbon Steel
- Weight
- 2 lb 1.7 oz
- Edge
- Sharp
- P.O.B.
- 4 3/4"
- Thickness
- 7.6 mm - 3.8 mm
- Width
- 29.5"
- Grip Length
- 6 1/4"
- Class
- Battle Ready
- Country of Origin
- China
Reviews
What collectors are saying
Q&A
Questions from the community
Q What is the blade material? Common Question
65 Mn high carbon steel.
Q Is the edge sharpened from the factory? Common Question
Yes, it is shipped sharp.
Q How does it handle and balance? Common Question
A compact Tang-era dao with a point of balance about 4 3/4 inches from the guard; the thick spine and wedge section give solid cutting with confident point control.
Q What are the overall and blade lengths? Common Question
Overall length about 37 1/4 inches with a blade length about 28 7/16 inches.
Q What is the weight? Common Question
Approximately 2 lb 1.7 oz.
Q What are the hilt and scabbard materials? Common Question
Guard and pommel are blackened iron; the grip and scabbard are polished rosewood with iron fittings.
Q Is it suitable for martial arts practice or cutting? Common Question
Classed as battle ready; designed for functional use by practitioners who understand sharp swords and safe cutting practice.
Q Can it be used two-handed? Common Question
Primarily one-handed, though many users will find room to add a supporting second hand on the grip.
Q Where is it made? Common Question
China.
Q Any care tips? Common Question
Keep the high-carbon blade clean and lightly oiled; avoid moisture on the rosewood and periodically check the pinned pommel and fittings.
Video
See it in motion
Warrior Grade Tang Dao士卒级铁装唐刀
Tang Heng Dao Test Cutting & Review: Chinese Saber Reproduction by LK Chen
LK CHEN Tang Heng Dao Review and Destruction
Review and testing of the Tang Heng Dao by LK Chen Swords
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 sword does not even feel like a sword. It feels like a bar of steel with a wood handle. There’s nothing wrong with it from a QC standpoint, fit and finish are great. But no matter how you slice it this is a bad design. I hate it and I’m trying to return it.
This is a very nice replica of a Tang era Dao. The blade shape and spec are copied from one of the blades at the treasure house at Nara Japan. While not the most ornate of blades by LK Chen, it is none the less one of my favorite of their collection. The teardrop shaped handle make edge alignment and wielding extremely easy and comfortable. The sharpened false edge balances the blade well and the simple cross section cuts through targets well. Totally recommended for any Sword aficionado or martial artist.