Hudiedao

[Gavin Nugent]

I haven't had much to offer up of late as I have been away for too long from home. The upside of my return is this lovely pair of Chinese swords waiting for me at the Post Office.

Although I haven't found the right light just yet to photograph the steel, it does have lovely laminations in the blades. The rosewood handles are lovely too and are in very good condition, exact age...I do not know, but would be happy to hear from those who might.

They are very well balanced in the hand and tip to tip they measure 23 1/2 inches, of which 18 3/4 is solid blade with a 3/8inch spine tapering to a nasty point. What I like about the tang of these and others I have seen is the pyramid style peened tang, does anyone know why it is done so? For restoration of the shorter pair I have I would like to know more about the peening of tang in this fashion.

For comparision I have provided side by side images of another smaller pair I have here(the ones I wish to restore), they measure 17 inches overall which is the more typical size encountered.

Chris I will get the other shuangdao down to weigh them soon and post it in the relevant thread and Kurt, sorry for the delay, you package will be away as soon as I get a moment away from work, not forgotten and thanks for your patience.

I look forward to hearing comments on these be they good or bad.

thanks

Gav