Asian execution sword

Jim McDougall · 29th July 2009, 05:42 PM

Gene, thank you! I agree, definitely gearing up nicely, and I hope we get some input on these inlays. Its been a while since we discussed these ring pommel Chinese dadao, and I'd really like to get some more detailed review on them.

Jos, thank you for the closeups, and the positioning of these at either end of channels recalls similar use of gold metal filled discs seen on certain sword blades in Transcaucasian regions (Black Sea knives/ Laz bichagi) and I believe on Central Asian as well. I believe it may possibly be a Persian affectation but cannot recall offhand. Also, it seems that copper or gold colored inlay is something often found on blades, actually from very early times. On Chinese swords, the first thing that comes to mind is the celestially arranged copper dots in 'seven stars' arrangement for the constellation.
Obviously these inlays do not correspond to that symbolism, but just mentioned to note the general practice.
Hopefully others might recognize the 'star shape' inlay and have seen other blades with these filled inlays between fullers or channels.

Interesting knife of Ngbandi, do you have more details" Are those dots at blade center as well? Could you note the details on the book you have mentioned also. I always appreciate knowing details of references cited so that we might seek that reference for our own libraries and its always good to have that information for rechecking.

All best regards,
Jim

Atlantia · 29th July 2009, 06:15 PM

Could we get some dimensions and weight for the Dadao please Jos?

Spearcollector · 29th July 2009, 06:22 PM

Hi,

The dimensions and weight for the Dadao are:
total lengt 110 cm the blade self is 84 cm
and the weight is 1,300 kg.

Kind regards.
Jos

KuKulzA28 · 29th July 2009, 09:05 PM

I find the ox-tail type blade interesting as the stereotypical Da-dao has the more rectangular looking tip.

Atlantia · 30th July 2009, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spearcollector

Hi,

The dimensions and weight for the Dadao are:
total lengt 110 cm the blade self is 84 cm
and the weight is 1,300 kg.

Kind regards.
Jos

Hi Jos,

reason I asked about the weight/size is that I wanted to compare the scale with a Dao I have:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hlight=chinese

Mines a rough old thing in need of a rebuild.
It weighs just under 1.5kg, total length: 92cm, blade length 75cm.

Regards
gene

Atlantia · 30th July 2009, 09:07 PM

Hi again Jos,
Not just 'bumping' your thread

I think I should ahev been clearer in my last post.
These heavy swords are often seen marked 'executioners sword' by dealers. I've often wondered (and Jim has kindly shone some light on this) If they were indeed for beheading or actually a two handed (hand and a half) fighting sword.
My big old Dao is really heavy and the centre of gravity is about 25cm down from the guard so really far forwards. A definate 'swinging' sword.

Its difficult to find film of large heavy dao's or Dadao's being used. Have a look at this youtube clip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8ETMj8n6CM

Regards
Gene

Klas Larsson · 31st July 2009, 12:39 AM

Hi Jos,
I wonder is this a false back edge or is it sharp? It looks like it sharp, and in that case its probably a type of dao has been mentioned in other forums as typical for Muslim minorities in northern China. The way it turns a little more up towards the tip instead of being more aligned with the handle for stabbing, is also pointing in this direction. So maybe not such a typical Niuwei dao / Oxtail dao type of blade?
Regards,
Klas

Spearcollector · 1st August 2009, 12:57 PM

Thanks everyone for the help to search information about the asian sword.
But I search for myself a little and I think the blade is the same type as a
"Ba Gua Dao" you can find it on the web. the blade has the same form but not the handle, this one is mutch older than all what you find on the web.
And thanks again for visiting our website, www.spearcollector.com
We collect African old weapons, shields and other tribal objects.

29th July 2009, 06:22 PM	#3
Spearcollector Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 11	asian execution sword Hi, The dimensions and weight for the Dadao are: total lengt 110 cm the blade self is 84 cm and the weight is 1,300 kg. Kind regards. Jos

1st August 2009, 12:57 PM	#8
Spearcollector Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 11	Hello Thanks everyone for the help to search information about the asian sword. But I search for myself a little and I think the blade is the same type as a "Ba Gua Dao" you can find it on the web. the blade has the same form but not the handle, this one is mutch older than all what you find on the web. And thanks again for visiting our website, www.spearcollector.com We collect African old weapons, shields and other tribal objects.

29th July 2009, 05:42 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	Gene, thank you! I agree, definitely gearing up nicely, and I hope we get some input on these inlays. Its been a while since we discussed these ring pommel Chinese dadao, and I'd really like to get some more detailed review on them. Jos, thank you for the closeups, and the positioning of these at either end of channels recalls similar use of gold metal filled discs seen on certain sword blades in Transcaucasian regions (Black Sea knives/ Laz bichagi) and I believe on Central Asian as well. I believe it may possibly be a Persian affectation but cannot recall offhand. Also, it seems that copper or gold colored inlay is something often found on blades, actually from very early times. On Chinese swords, the first thing that comes to mind is the celestially arranged copper dots in 'seven stars' arrangement for the constellation. Obviously these inlays do not correspond to that symbolism, but just mentioned to note the general practice. Hopefully others might recognize the 'star shape' inlay and have seen other blades with these filled inlays between fullers or channels. Interesting knife of Ngbandi, do you have more details" Are those dots at blade center as well? Could you note the details on the book you have mentioned also. I always appreciate knowing details of references cited so that we might seek that reference for our own libraries and its always good to have that information for rechecking. All best regards, Jim

29th July 2009, 06:15 PM	#2
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Could we get some dimensions and weight for the Dadao please Jos?

29th July 2009, 09:05 PM	#4
KuKulzA28 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: between work and sleep Posts: 731	I find the ox-tail type blade interesting as the stereotypical Da-dao has the more rectangular looking tip.

30th July 2009, 09:07 PM	#6
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Hi again Jos, Not just 'bumping' your thread I think I should ahev been clearer in my last post. These heavy swords are often seen marked 'executioners sword' by dealers. I've often wondered (and Jim has kindly shone some light on this) If they were indeed for beheading or actually a two handed (hand and a half) fighting sword. My big old Dao is really heavy and the centre of gravity is about 25cm down from the guard so really far forwards. A definate 'swinging' sword. Its difficult to find film of large heavy dao's or Dadao's being used. Have a look at this youtube clip. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8ETMj8n6CM Regards Gene

31st July 2009, 12:39 AM	#7
Klas Larsson Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 23	Hi Jos, I wonder is this a false back edge or is it sharp? It looks like it sharp, and in that case its probably a type of dao has been mentioned in other forums as typical for Muslim minorities in northern China. The way it turns a little more up towards the tip instead of being more aligned with the handle for stabbing, is also pointing in this direction. So maybe not such a typical Niuwei dao / Oxtail dao type of blade? Regards, Klas