Tang Heng Dao

Tang Heng Dao is a single handed straight dao featuring a scabbard with two-point suspension system influenced by the Sasanian swords. The two-point suspension system enables the dao to be worn in a more or less horizontal (Heng) position. Tang Heng Dao was used for combat on foot as well as on horseback. Heng Dao was compact, light weight, and was the standard regulation side arm for conscripts, elite troops, commanding officers and imperial guards.  

Heng dao was expensive to make and each piece worth about one month's salary of a junior level government official. As an expensive military resource, Heng Dao was forbidden to be used as funeral goods. As a result, there were very few unearthed specimens found today. Fortunately, Heng Dao was pursued by the Japanese delegates and sent back to Japan as treasures for the royal court and those few rare Heng Dao samples are preserved in Nara today. 

Sword only weight: 860g 
Blade Length: 70.5cm 
Handle Length: 21.5cm 
Total Length: 93cm
Length of upper edge at tip: 10.2cm
POB from hand guard: 11cm 
Width at hand guard: 3cm 
Width at 10.2 cm from tip: 2.33cm 
Width at 4 cm from tip: 2.14cm 
Thickness at hand guard: 7.41mm 
Thickness at 10.2 cm from tip: 4.68mm
Thickness at 4 cm the tip: 4mm 
Blade cross section profile: Triangular wedge shape
Blade length wide profile: Straight blade, pointed tip with upper edge
Material: GB 60Si2MnA High Carbon Manganese Spring Steel 
Scabbard: Wood, metal fittings 

All dimensions are approximate and may vary from piece to piece.

Through tempered blade,  
Hardness 54-55 HRC. 
Cut bamboo with ease.  Pierce wooden boards.
Polish to a sharp cutting edge. 
Wenge scabbard (Millettia laurentii). 

Fittings
Blackened Iron fittings, 1:1 replica of a Tang Dynasty fittings set.

Fit and finish
We perfected the fit and finish of our swords and the assembly is meticulously performed by our senior craft masters. It takes one whole working day for a craftsman to assemble our swords.