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Japanese Shortsword with Long Handle?
- Thread starter Infi-del
- Start date
... THere are plenty of options out there to have one made or modified.
What is your budget? Did you want it to have a traditional Japanese looking handle (tsuka). Is this sword for your collection or do you see some utility use?
Some Thai or Bumese Daab/dha would roughly fit the size you mentioned.
What is your budget? Did you want it to have a traditional Japanese looking handle (tsuka). Is this sword for your collection or do you see some utility use?
Some Thai or Bumese Daab/dha would roughly fit the size you mentioned.
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- Feb 26, 2002
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The nearest production swords would be the Swamprat Waki and the Ko series Japanese swords from Cheness. Both are slightly longer than you have indicated.
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how about a Kris Cutlery DADAO (I know its chinese, but wth) I was just looking at their site yesterday...so I remembered this when I read your post.
DADAO
Sometimes referred to as the Chinese beheading sword. The long 14 inch wood handle has an oval cross section and wrapped with a flat black cotton material that extends to the ring at the end. The 1060 carbon steel blade has a single edge and is 17 inches long, 9mm(5/16 of an inch +) thick near the guard and tapers to 5mm (3/16 on an inch) near the point. A straight hamon/tempered edge is visible. There is a single hole on top of the blade near the tip. The thick blackened iron guard measures 10mm (3/8 of an inch). This is an older style Dadao prior to the Chinese Army type used in the 19th-20th century. Total length 32 1/2 inches. Wt. 2.2 lbs. (shp. wt. 4 lbs.)
DADAO
Sometimes referred to as the Chinese beheading sword. The long 14 inch wood handle has an oval cross section and wrapped with a flat black cotton material that extends to the ring at the end. The 1060 carbon steel blade has a single edge and is 17 inches long, 9mm(5/16 of an inch +) thick near the guard and tapers to 5mm (3/16 on an inch) near the point. A straight hamon/tempered edge is visible. There is a single hole on top of the blade near the tip. The thick blackened iron guard measures 10mm (3/8 of an inch). This is an older style Dadao prior to the Chinese Army type used in the 19th-20th century. Total length 32 1/2 inches. Wt. 2.2 lbs. (shp. wt. 4 lbs.)
Infi-del
Gold Member
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- 3,561
My budget would be under $1K ultimately. Not that it need be expensive. I kinda want a traditional style but with a modern touch. Perfect would .25" thick tool steel blade like A2 with square tsuba and micarta handle slabs on a full tang. But I know this is gonna be a custom job if anything.
The guy at SBG told me they could have a Cheness fitted to my liking. But I worry that it will be a waki tang in a katana tsuka and would have a weaker tsuka. I do intend to use it. Not for chopping down oak trees but perhaps the occasional sapling. I already own two Busse AK47s so the Rat Waki wouldn't do it for me. I was looking for something a little more traditional.
how about a Kris Cutlery DADAO (I know its chinese, but wth) I was just looking at their site yesterday...so I remembered this when I read your post.
DADAO
Sometimes referred to as the Chinese beheading sword. The long 14 inch wood handle has an oval cross section and wrapped with a flat black cotton material that extends to the ring at the end. The 1060 carbon steel blade has a single edge and is 17 inches long, 9mm(5/16 of an inch +) thick near the guard and tapers to 5mm (3/16 on an inch) near the point. A straight hamon/tempered edge is visible. There is a single hole on top of the blade near the tip. The thick blackened iron guard measures 10mm (3/8 of an inch). This is an older style Dadao prior to the Chinese Army type used in the 19th-20th century. Total length 32 1/2 inches. Wt. 2.2 lbs. (shp. wt. 4 lbs.)
That looks really cool to me. I may have to check that out. It's gotta be more durable than a machete and being as thick as it is it ought to chop well. I bet I could put a razors edge on it and make it something special. Now whether or not it would hold the edge is a different story.
I worry about tsuka strength in such a case though. Wouldn't the handle be mostly wood at that point with a short tang just around the first hand area?
Yes it would be, but so long as the tsuka is well made it will still be sound. As for hitting a sappling that would be considered sword abuse and would not recomend it.
While I have never handled the kris cutlery dadao, I have had a number of their swords and all are capable of taking and holding an edge very well and are great swords for the price. That being said a razor edge on a sword isn't needed and will cause more harm then good.
Bimmer1
Gold Member
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- Sep 30, 2000
- Messages
- 2,481
how about a Kris Cutlery DADAO (I know its chinese, but wth) I was just looking at their site yesterday...so I remembered this when I read your post.
DADAO
Sometimes referred to as the Chinese beheading sword. The long 14 inch wood handle has an oval cross section and wrapped with a flat black cotton material that extends to the ring at the end. The 1060 carbon steel blade has a single edge and is 17 inches long, 9mm(5/16 of an inch +) thick near the guard and tapers to 5mm (3/16 on an inch) near the point. A straight hamon/tempered edge is visible. There is a single hole on top of the blade near the tip. The thick blackened iron guard measures 10mm (3/8 of an inch). This is an older style Dadao prior to the Chinese Army type used in the 19th-20th century. Total length 32 1/2 inches. Wt. 2.2 lbs. (shp. wt. 4 lbs.)
I have one of these. It's OK and probably would handle a lot of chopping but the tsuba is loose on them. It will not come off but it rattles around somewhat. I know a few others that purchased theirs the same time I did and their tsuba rattles around as well.
I have so many swords that I will probably sell my dao soon. Everything I have from Kris Cutlery is very nice.
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith
ilmarinen - MODERATOR
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Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Send me an email and we can discuss this. Lots of options.
Stacy
Stacy
If you want a more traditional look, I recommend the ko katana as well. It's essentially the same length as a wakizashi(give or take an inch), but has a full length handle.
Cheness and Dynasty Forge both make excellent ko-katanas for cutting. I've only used the Dynasty forge ko-katana. It's a little thicker than a wakizashi, and cuts tatami very well. I think it's durable enough to handle a sapling or two.
The only downside is that it is monotempered steel, and doesn't have a nice hamon or jihada (for aesthetics).
I haven't used a Cheness, but they have a great reputation.
I'm not a Kendo ka or an expert, but I am a bit of a katana nut. That's my two cents.
Cheness and Dynasty Forge both make excellent ko-katanas for cutting. I've only used the Dynasty forge ko-katana. It's a little thicker than a wakizashi, and cuts tatami very well. I think it's durable enough to handle a sapling or two.
The only downside is that it is monotempered steel, and doesn't have a nice hamon or jihada (for aesthetics). I haven't used a Cheness, but they have a great reputation.
I'm not a Kendo ka or an expert, but I am a bit of a katana nut. That's my two cents.