Boxer/Republican era dadao

[Yu-Ming Chang]

More pictures:

[Atlantia]

Hi YMC

I think it looks great!

And most importantly it is once again as it should be. A sword should be usable.

I'd be interested in seeing pictures in daylight or with no flash also.

Congratulations
Gene

[ariel]

I disagree.
Cleaning and etching the blade is fine, but it was a pretty easy task to find a matching thread and finish the wrapping unobtrusively. The new orange nylon looks absolutely foreign and screamingly new. The sense of history is lost.

[stekemest]

I totally agree with ariel. In my opinion, an old weapon deserves to look like an old weapon - polishing the blade is fine, but the original handle was not so damaged that it had to be removed completely. Now you have a historical weapon that looks like a modern souvenir...
Sorry for being impolite, it's just my opinion.

Peter

[Atlantia]

I do agree the colour does look very new, but its easy enough to change if needed, replace completely or tone down. I would personally have gone for a dark colour, but it's personal preference.

P.S.
My poor Dao is still awaiting restoration and the handle is bound with thick string painted black!

[Lew]

Lovely blade but the wrap must go. It just doesn't blend you should see if someone hear can do a traditional Chinese style wrap. You should contact Scott he may be able to help.

http://www.sevenstarstrading.com/

Lew

[Yu-Ming Chang]

Thanks for the honest and constructive comments from everyone. First, I have to take responsibility for the choice of the red cord; William had wrapped it with a beige cord. While the original old cord is certainly beige now, I thought I saw areas of "pink" which suggested that the original color was more reddish. As I stated, I had at least one other example of a similar dadao (which I gave to my sifu so I can take some pictures of it soon) which has it's original red cord wrap (faded with time of course). The wrap had interwoven red cloth bands on each side of the handle. Based on that and others, it would suggest that the color red is not at all unhistoric.

However, I can certainly see everyone's point, the color and newness of the wrap is jarring now that people are noting it. Even if I replace the wrap, I would probably want to attempt to "age" it a bit. Any suggestions or techniques that have worked well for you?

Lew, thanks for the suggestion to talk to Scott. I actually have used someone, via Philip Tom, for previous traditional Chinese wraps so it may well be worth it to talk to them about this piece.

Gene, I'll try to take some pictures with proper lighting and no flash soon, just haven't had the time to set it all up.

Yu-Ming