Chinese Swords
Chinese swords come in a number of different forms, each with their own use and unique history. One Chinese sword, the Dao is a single-blade broadsword used in military campaigns for slashing and jabbing the opponent. The Dao dates back to the Shang dynasty in China, during the Bronze Age. When it was first introduced it would have been made of bronze, but were later made with steel or iron, which was much stronger. China became exporters of Dao swords during the Tang dynasty as they had perfected their technique of sword making and was the world leader in making swords at that time.
The Chinese also used a double-edged sword called the Jian, which dates back more than 2500 years. Jian have been found that date back to the 7th century BC which measure about 28 to 31 inches long and weigh almost 2lbs. This version of Chinese sword includes a guard, called a hilt that protects the hand from the enemy’s sword. The handle is large enough to accommodate both hands of the soldier, which could be uses for powerfully swinging the sword with both hands. These swords were originally built with bronze, but as steel became available, Jian swords were made of steel, which was stronger.
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