Hand-Forged Chinese Dao Saber – 5160 Full Tang

Hand-Forged Chinese Dao Saber – Full-Tang 5160 Curved Single-Edged Blade

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Hand-Forged Chinese Dao Saber – Full-Tang 5160 Curved Single-Edged Blade

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$249.99

Ex Tax: $249.99

Model: SINGLE EDGED SWORD
Product Code: DAO002
Location: Kathmandu,Nepal

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Tags: Chinese Dao , Dao Sword , Chinese Sword , Dao Saber , Chinese Saber , Curved Sword , Single-Edged Sword , 5160 Carbon Steel , Full Tang , Rosewood Handle , Leather Scabbard , Custom Dao , Made in Nepal , Everest Forge

Hand-Forged Chinese Dao Saber — Full-Tang 5160 Curved Single-Edged Blade with Rosewood Handle

This is a hand-forged, fully functional Chinese dao saber — the classic curved single-edged sword of China, forged in Nepal from 5160 high-carbon spring steel, full tang, oil-tempered, and sharpened to a true cutting edge. It carries a long, gently curved single-edged blade with a bright polished finish and a dark fuller, a shaped rosewood handle, polished metal fittings, and a black leather-covered scabbard. Every saber is made to order in your chosen length, finish, and engraving.

The standard blade is 27 inches on a 7-inch handle, for an overall length around 34 inches and a 2-inch blade. The sweeping curve and single edge give it the fast, cutting-focused character of the dao, while the forged 5160 steel and full tang make it a real saber you can handle and display — not a cast wall-hanger.

An honest note. This is a modern, hand-forged Chinese dao saber, built as a real, functional blade and a collector's centrepiece. We frame it as the craft object it is rather than as an instrument of harm. What we care about is the steel, the curve, the fuller, and the balance.

Bespoke Service

Forge a Dao to Your Own Design

Want a different length, blade profile, handle, or engraving — or your own original design? Our Custom Forge service builds blades to your spec, by hand in Kathmandu.

Request a Custom Forge →

What Is a Chinese Dao?

The dao is the single-edged curved sword of China — a cutting-focused saber counted among the four traditional weapons of Chinese martial arts, alongside the straight jian sword, the spear, and the staff. Where the jian is a refined double-edged thrusting sword, the dao is the bold, practical cutter, valued for fast, powerful slashes. This one is a modern hand-forged interpretation in 5160 spring steel — a functional, full-tang dao with a curved single-edged blade, a fuller, and a rosewood handle.

Real Forged BladeHand-forged 5160 spring steel, full tang, oil-tempered and sharpened.

Curved Single EdgeSweeping saber blade built for fast, powerful cuts.

Rosewood HandleShaped rosewood grip with polished metal fittings.

5160 Spring SteelTruck leaf-spring steel — tough, shock-resistant, holds an edge.

Full TangBlade runs the length of the handle — no rat-tail, no weak point.

Made To OrderYour length, finish, and engraving — built to spec.

Specifications

TypeHand-forged Chinese dao saber

Blade Length27 inches standard (custom lengths to order)

Handle Length7 inches

Overall LengthApprox 34 inches at standard blade size

Blade WidthApprox 2 inches

WeightApprox 1.69 kg with scabbard, 1.280 kg blade only

Blade Steel5160 high-carbon spring steel (truck leaf spring)

Heat TreatmentOil-tempered — hard edge, flexible spine

Blade StyleCurved single edge, polished with dark fuller detail, sharpened

TangFull tang

Handle & FittingsRosewood handle, polished metal fittings

ScabbardBlack leather-covered scabbard, included

OriginHand-forged in Tokha-3, Kathmandu, Nepal

Customize Your Dao

Every saber is forged to order. Set your options before you add to cart:

Blade LengthStandard 27 inches, or order a shorter or longer blade to your spec.

Blade FinishingPolished as standard, or satin or mirror-polished.

EdgeSharpened to a true cutting edge, or left display-blunt on request.

PersonalizationAdd a name, initials, or a short message to the blade.

Logo & Photo EngravingUpload your own design for custom engraving.

Fully BespokeA different profile, handle, or fittings through Custom Forge.

Configure This Saber →

Hand-Forged, Not a Wall-Hanger

This Dao

Hand-forged 5160 high-carbon spring steel
Oil-tempered, hard edge and flexible spine
Full tang through the handle
Curved single-edged blade with a fuller
Sharpened, balanced, made to your spec

A Wall-Hanger

Cast stainless, brittle under load
No real heat treatment
Rat-tail tang that snaps
Flat, lifeless blade
Blunt, display-only

How It Is Made

You set the spec — length, finish, edge, and any engraving you want on the blade.

A smith draws the curved single-edged blade from a 5160 leaf-spring billet and cuts the fuller.

The blade is heat-treated and oil-tempered, then polished and hand-sharpened to a true cutting edge.

We shape the rosewood handle, fit the polished mounts, pair the leather-covered scabbard, and ship worldwide tracked.

Who It Is For

Collectors of Chinese and Asian arms who want a real hand-forged dao
Martial artists and practitioners of Chinese sword forms after a functional saber
Cutting and test-cutting practitioners who want a fast, well-balanced blade
Themed and cultural display and decor
Gift buyers personalizing a blade with a name or engraving
Collectors who value hand craftsmanship and made-to-order detail

What Is Included

One hand-forged Chinese dao saber, built to your chosen spec
Black leather-covered scabbard
Rosewood handle with polished metal fittings
Any personalization or engraving you ordered
A polished, sharpened cutting edge
Everest Forge manufacturer warranty

Explore More Hand-Forged Blades

Custom ForgeBuild a fully bespoke blade →

Scimitar MacheteAnother curved cutter →

Pirate CutlassThe curved cutlass →

Medieval FalchionView the falchion →

Kukri & KhukuriThe Nepali blade →

Swords by CultureBrowse by tradition →

Shipping, Returns & Care

Shipping

In-stock specs dispatch within 2 to 3 business days; fully custom builds take roughly 4 to 6 weeks to forge before dispatch. We ship worldwide by DHL or FedEx in 7 to 14 business days, tracked. Import and blade laws vary by country, so please check your local rules before ordering.

Returns & Warranty

Every blade is backed by the Everest Forge warranty against forging and material defects. If something is wrong with your order, we will repair, replace, or refund it. Personalized and custom-engraved blades are made to order, so please confirm your spec carefully before purchase.

Care

Wipe the blade clean and dry after handling, and apply a light coat of oil before storage to protect the high-carbon steel from moisture. Keep the rosewood handle and leather-covered scabbard away from prolonged damp. With basic care, a 5160 blade will outlast its owner.

From The Forge

Build a Dao That Is Yours Alone

Beyond the options here, our Custom Forge service shapes a blade to your own length, profile, handle, and engraving — direct from the maker in Kathmandu, roughly 4 to 6 weeks from order.

Start a Custom Forge →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Chinese dao?

The dao is the single-edged curved sword of China, a cutting-focused saber counted among the four traditional weapons of Chinese martial arts alongside the jian, the spear, and the staff. It is valued for fast, powerful slashing cuts. This one is a modern, hand-forged interpretation in 5160 spring steel.

What is the difference between a dao and a jian?

The dao is single-edged and curved, built for cutting and slashing, while the jian is a straight, double-edged sword built more for thrusting and precise work. Both are classic Chinese swords; this piece is a dao, the curved cutting saber.

Is this a real, functional saber?

Yes. This is a real, fully functional dao, not a cast display piece. It is hand-forged from 5160 high-carbon spring steel, full tang, oil-tempered, and sharpened to a true cutting edge before it ships. It is built to be handled and cut with, and finished cleanly enough to display as a centrepiece.

What steel is it, and is it oil-tempered?

The blade is forged from 5160 high-carbon spring steel, the same alloy used in heavy-duty truck leaf springs, prized for toughness and edge retention. It is oil-tempered for a hard cutting edge backed by a flexible, shock-absorbent spine.

Is it full tang?

Yes. The tang runs the full length of the handle, so there is no rat-tail or glued-in tang to fail. Full-tang construction is what makes the saber strong enough to handle and cut with rather than just display.

What is the fuller for?

The fuller is the groove running along the blade. It lightens the blade and stiffens it without losing strength, and here it also adds a dark detail line against the polished finish. It is forged and ground into the blade by hand.

Can I change the blade length?

Yes. The standard blade is 27 inches, and you can order it shorter or longer to your spec. You can also choose the blade finish, the edge, and add engraving. Every saber is forged to the spec you select, so the size is yours to set.

What is the handle made of?

The handle is shaped rosewood fitted over a full tang, with polished metal fittings. Each grip is shaped and fitted by hand for a secure hold.

Does it come with a scabbard?

Yes. Every saber ships with a black leather-covered scabbard to protect the blade for storage and carry. It is made by hand to fit the blade size you order.

Can I add a name or engraving?

Yes. You can add a name, initials, or a short message to the blade, and you can upload your own logo or photo for custom engraving. Personalized blades are forged to order, so please confirm the details before you buy.

Is it suitable for martial arts practice?

It is a functional forged saber that many collectors and practitioners display and handle. Whether a specific blade suits your training depends on your discipline and instructor's requirements, so please choose your length, weight, and edge with that in mind, or ask us through Custom Forge for a practice-oriented build.

Do you ship worldwide, and how long does it take?

Yes. We ship worldwide from Nepal by DHL or FedEx in 7 to 14 business days with tracking. In-stock specs dispatch within 2 to 3 business days; fully custom builds take roughly 4 to 6 weeks to forge first. Import and blade laws vary by country, so please check your local rules before ordering.

Specification
Blade:	24 inches long Blade Hand forged from 5160 carbon steel
Total Length:	31 inches long in total
Handle:	7 inches full tang handle made from Rosewood
Weight:	1500 grams Approximately
Note:	Each Dao sword is hand forged and handcrafted, which means no two blades are exactly the same. Minor variations in finish, size, or grain are a part of its authenticity. This is a functional weapon, not a decorative piece.