Hole in the blade of Chinese dao

Neil · 22nd March 2011, 07:02 PM

Nice picture. Here are a few more related to military dadao scabbard use. Relatively speaking many pictures can be seen with organized forces using similar leather scabbards. This is an area that has useful photographic evidence available. Although it does not really clear up the original question of the hole in the blade. It does speak to the fact that a highly mobile group needs a means to transport their weapons. Its not a great stretch to consider the less a person moves around, and or needs to carry other gear too, then there could be less of a need for a scabbard. Just a thought, and also relative to what Tom mentioned about the use of no scabbard at all.

What would be great though is an old article or excerpt of one describing an armed non governmental group, or a photograph of possibly a civilian defense group carrying weapons similar to what we call "village" type swords that often have the holes in question. A foreigners snapshot of say a "Red Spear" group coming through town would be very interesting. No doubt this information is few and far between, but it does surface in little bits at a time. With the help of like minded friends of course

fearn · 24th March 2011, 04:46 AM

Interesting how the sabers are hung to be drawn over their left shoulders. I assume they're right handers? I wonder if that gives them a greater draw length than they would get if the blade was slung with the hilt over the right shoulder. Hmmmm.

F

Neil · 24th March 2011, 03:36 PM

Here is another one with them all hanging on the left as though it was standard operating procedure for this group. Good question on why.

fearn · 24th March 2011, 11:55 PM

Hi Neil,

Back when I was a kid, I had a 24" machete that I'd rigged with a shoulder harness. One thing I learned was that drawing it over the right shoulder (if you're right handed), you can only draw the blade if it's as long as your arm or shorter.

Based on a clumsy experiment, I think you can draw something over your left shoulder that's a few inches longer than your arm. If I had to guess, that's why the soldiers are carrying on their off side. Someone with one of those daos may want to try the experiment and see.

Best,

F

Gavin Nugent · 25th March 2011, 02:09 AM

The draw on these Dadao is pretty easy and simple. There are a few little factors that help.

The leather scabbard is not rigid so the draw doesn't have to be a long straight draw of the full length...more of a roll out effect than a straight line effect.
The scabbards are fully open across the spine region with just 2 very small clips.
In military excursions, they are slung on the shoulder for marching and are a secondry weapon in these 20th century pictures. In combat they are known to have discarded the scabbard and sling and most other items before getting medieval on their enemy.

Gav

22nd March 2011, 07:02 PM	#1
Neil Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 114	Nice picture. Here are a few more related to military dadao scabbard use. Relatively speaking many pictures can be seen with organized forces using similar leather scabbards. This is an area that has useful photographic evidence available. Although it does not really clear up the original question of the hole in the blade. It does speak to the fact that a highly mobile group needs a means to transport their weapons. Its not a great stretch to consider the less a person moves around, and or needs to carry other gear too, then there could be less of a need for a scabbard. Just a thought, and also relative to what Tom mentioned about the use of no scabbard at all. What would be great though is an old article or excerpt of one describing an armed non governmental group, or a photograph of possibly a civilian defense group carrying weapons similar to what we call "village" type swords that often have the holes in question. A foreigners snapshot of say a "Red Spear" group coming through town would be very interesting. No doubt this information is few and far between, but it does surface in little bits at a time. With the help of like minded friends of course Attached Images Last edited by Neil; 22nd March 2011 at 10:26 PM.

24th March 2011, 03:36 PM	#3
Neil Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 114	Here is another one with them all hanging on the left as though it was standard operating procedure for this group. Good question on why. Attached Images

25th March 2011, 02:09 AM	#5
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	The Draw The draw on these Dadao is pretty easy and simple. There are a few little factors that help. The leather scabbard is not rigid so the draw doesn't have to be a long straight draw of the full length...more of a roll out effect than a straight line effect. The scabbards are fully open across the spine region with just 2 very small clips. In military excursions, they are slung on the shoulder for marching and are a secondry weapon in these 20th century pictures. In combat they are known to have discarded the scabbard and sling and most other items before getting medieval on their enemy. Gav

24th March 2011, 04:46 AM	#2
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	Interesting how the sabers are hung to be drawn over their left shoulders. I assume they're right handers? I wonder if that gives them a greater draw length than they would get if the blade was slung with the hilt over the right shoulder. Hmmmm. F

24th March 2011, 11:55 PM	#4
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	Hi Neil, Back when I was a kid, I had a 24" machete that I'd rigged with a shoulder harness. One thing I learned was that drawing it over the right shoulder (if you're right handed), you can only draw the blade if it's as long as your arm or shorter. Based on a clumsy experiment, I think you can draw something over your left shoulder that's a few inches longer than your arm. If I had to guess, that's why the soldiers are carrying on their off side. Someone with one of those daos may want to try the experiment and see. Best, F