Chinese cutlass

[josh stout]

Philip- As always, thanks for your informative reply.

I am posting another with a very similar profile, but without the European influenced handle. The blade of the second example is slightly shorter and more curved, and the raised back edge is less noticeable, but the overall look is quite similar. In particular, I aligned them so you can see that from the usable portion of the handle to the tip is almost exactly the same length.

These are weighted so that they are comfortable to use with one hand, but a second hand can fit. The knuckle bow looks stretched and odd because we are not used to thinking of one on a two handed saber. Despite the slightly shorter grip shielded by the knuckle bow, for added power, I can fit three fingers of my left hand comfortably behind my right hand. Dadao can have a balance that allows them to be used one handed, but the blade is much heavier, and it is clear they are primarily two handed weapons. These are more dedicated one handed sabers, with the option for a second hand.