Hi CYMac,
thats a good guess !, they are supposed to be two and a quarter each, but I will check them when I get a chance.
Last year in Yongchun my shifu took me to a sword maker in the mountains and I watched him make some dao's for me. My hands, wrists, forearms were measured and they were made to fit... they're not the most beautiful dao's, but they really are a joy to use, and when I think of the sweat and hard work that guy went through for 200rmb...?!?!?
After this I think I'll have to call them little sister and big sister now !.
Thank you brother;
I sacrificed so much learning and teaching martial arts in my life but for some kool karmic reason I find the coolest shizzle for cheep I recently sold some pieces that I didn't want to part with and still have a pretty sweet collection to practice and purr precious over.
To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.
-Patanjali Samadhi
"Not engaging in ignorance is wisdom."
~ Bodhi
Never miss a good chance to shut up
Hi GETHIN... wow, that's very nice! 200rmb.. labor really worth nothing in china..! Yes I do agree the good swords sometimes comes very cheap because people don't know how to treasure it and they see it as rubbish and toss them on the street for sale.. but it's also why we are all having good stuff in our collections too! haha! If things are all "auction" with high price, I bet no kungfu people will get one in their room.. only the rich business man will want to bid and play those auction games to raise the price higher and higher...
(Mak Jo Si, Tin Yat Lineage Taoism) A Taoism Master with 16yrs+ of experience in Taoism and as a career. Exorcism is my profession.
Chi in Nature - My Taoism Temple Website
Taoist Master BLOG - my blog
My Kungfu Channel on Youtube
I'm sorry to say that this is not a Qing antique, but rather a common replica sold in flea markets and on E-bay. The insert edge is etched/grounded on. There is no evidence of pattern welding (what people erroneously call Damascus pattern). Not to say that it isn't an attractive sword, but it really isn't a real antique.
In fact, the 3 jian that CYMac posted are also consistent with replicas common in flea markets and E-bay. As there are no photos of the blades I obviously can't say if something like a real blade with modern fittings didn't occur with his collection, but the scabbard and fittings have all the hallmarks of modern replicas.
For the sword above, I do believe it is a ching dynasty one but just that the sword doesn't have a folded steel blade doesn't make it not an antique as well. There are lower quality blades in the ching dynasty. So not all blades are like those damascus blades style.
I do bought some similar ones in the past and yes they are claimed 1800 products as well. It might be not something really fancy, but it is 1800 no doubt though. There are replicas of these indeed. I do see some on e-bay before, but those are way cheaper quality if you see them in person. I can tell by looking at the blade color and the fittings, those are no match.
(Mak Jo Si, Tin Yat Lineage Taoism) A Taoism Master with 16yrs+ of experience in Taoism and as a career. Exorcism is my profession.
Chi in Nature - My Taoism Temple Website
Taoist Master BLOG - my blog
My Kungfu Channel on Youtube
Now this is a replica of the ching dynasty swords design. I know this is a common deisgn that you can buy online too but the sword blade is sturdy and not flexible and so it gives the sword more weight and solid feeling too. The sword is very "thin and narrow" styled and also very long as well. This sword is actually quite long! haha! I don't like the way the fittings are made and assembled because they get loosen over use and when you tighten it too much you just damage the fittings by over-tightening and squeezing it together like a playdoo.
(Mak Jo Si, Tin Yat Lineage Taoism) A Taoism Master with 16yrs+ of experience in Taoism and as a career. Exorcism is my profession.
Chi in Nature - My Taoism Temple Website
Taoist Master BLOG - my blog
My Kungfu Channel on Youtube
To CYMac
There are indeed very late Qing and Republican/WW2 era mono-steel swords. I've owned a few in my time.
However, the pieces that you and Lophuken both posted are very consistent with replicas that are aged artificially and sold on the market as antiques. I wouldn't know how to convince you otherwise as I have no credentials that anyone would care about; but I have been an collector of antique Chinese weaponry for over 7 years. For instance, on Lophuken's sword, the etching of a false central plate is a classic tactic of modern makers to make people think that the piece is of traditional sanmei (trilaminar) construction.
May I suggest that anyone who cares to post these pieces on places like vikingsword.com/vb or swordforum.com or grtc.org and ask around for the opinions of recognized experts in this niche field?
In the mean time, I will try to take a few pictures to try to illustrate the differences between these modern replicas and the real thing.
Last edited by YMC; 08-26-2011 at 06:27 PM. Reason: correction of vikingswords.com/vb to vikingsword.com/vb
you guys only collect the pusy small sword, real men collect huge han dynasty two handed sword
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