Cold Steel's Chinese War Sword

Published on December 26, 2017
Duration: 18:13

This video provides an in-depth review of the Cold Steel Chinese War Sword, exploring its historical context, design, and practical considerations. The presenter, a sword collector, emphasizes the sobering reality of historical combat and the impressive capabilities of this blade. While acknowledging its historical use as an execution and intimidation weapon, the review focuses on its modern interpretation as a collectible and a formidable cutting tool.

Quick Summary

The Cold Steel Chinese War Sword is a modern interpretation of the historical Chinese Dao, crafted from 1060 carbon steel. With a 23.25-inch blade and weighing 3.6 pounds, it's designed for powerful cleaving and hacking, historically used as a battlefield weapon, intimidation tool, and execution implement.

Chapters

  1. 00:02Introduction: Handling the Cold Steel Chinese War Sword
  2. 00:20Historical Context: Ming Dynasty Troops
  3. 01:04Brutality of Combat with War Swords
  4. 01:34Fitzwilliam Museum Sword Collection
  5. 02:34Comparison: Cold Steel Gross Messer
  6. 02:52Specs: Gross Messer Weight and Price
  7. 03:03Presenter's Sword Collection
  8. 03:39Comparison: Katana vs. Chinese War Sword
  9. 03:42Review: Hanwei Practical Katana
  10. 04:22Review: Musashi Chiricahua Katana
  11. 05:16Focus: Cold Steel Chinese War Sword Interpretation
  12. 05:26Historical Broad Strokes: Chinese Dao
  13. 06:01Obsolete Weapon in 1920s-30s China
  14. 06:33Historical Use: Execution Tool
  15. 06:56Design: Anti-Armor Capabilities
  16. 07:23Cold Steel Demonstration Video
  17. 07:34Cleaving Capabilities
  18. 07:46Cold Steel Chinese War Sword Blade
  19. 07:56Blade Material: 1060 Spring Steel
  20. 08:04Steel Type: 1060 Carbon Steel
  21. 08:11Blade Finish and Sharpness
  22. 08:26Blade Length: 23.25 Inches
  23. 08:31Handle Length: 14.5 Inches
  24. 08:36Two-Handed Weapon
  25. 08:46Weight: 3.6 Pounds
  26. 08:55Intimidation and Execution Weapon
  27. 09:09Chinese Dao in Action
  28. 09:24Personal Preference: Katana vs. Dao
  29. 09:45Chinese War Sword: Cleaving and Hacking
  30. 09:56Skilled Operator Use
  31. 10:14Blade Thickness and Taper
  32. 10:20Triangular Cross-Section
  33. 10:25Blood Groove Function
  34. 10:30Polished Finish
  35. 10:36Display Piece
  36. 11:00Guard as a Weapon
  37. 11:09Handle Tightness
  38. 11:16Rayon Wrapped Handle
  39. 11:21Handle Length and Reach
  40. 11:34Welded Steel Pommel Ring
  41. 11:40Interpretation of Chinese Dao
  42. 11:46Dao Pronunciation
  43. 11:52Size and Weight Comparison
  44. 11:56Historical Production Variability
  45. 12:19Sheath Review: Cold Steel Leather Sheath
  46. 12:24Sheath Material: 100% Leather
  47. 12:33Sheath Features: Brass Snaps
  48. 12:45Lined Leather Sheath
  49. 13:00Sheath Safety Considerations
  50. 13:32Sheath Attachment Limitations
  51. 13:41Display Piece Storage
  52. 13:49Secure Storage: Gun Safe
  53. 14:06Blackened Version: Maa Chinese War Sword
  54. 14:21Review: Cold Steel Gross Messer
  55. 14:30Long Pommel
  56. 14:37Swinging Large Swords
  57. 14:47One-and-a-Half Hand Sword Comparison
  58. 15:00Cool Sword Features
  59. 15:03Cross Guard as Weapon
  60. 15:16Chinese Dao: Interesting History
  61. 15:18Intimidation Weapon (Early 1900s)
  62. 15:23Execution Weapon (Historical)
  63. 15:31Modern Application: Collectible
  64. 15:41Not a Primary Weapon
  65. 15:47Home Invasion Considerations
  66. 16:14Operating the Dao: Ben Judkins Manual
  67. 16:25Yen Useon's 1933 Manual
  68. 16:31Ideal Dao Length: 35 Inches
  69. 16:34Overall Length: 38 Inches
  70. 16:36Weight: 3.5 Pounds
  71. 16:44Practitioners and Mastery
  72. 16:49Employment: Thrust Cuts and Maneuvers
  73. 16:55Lightest on Table: Chiricahua
  74. 17:00Long Double-Handed Handle
  75. 17:03Amazon Catalog Number: 88CWS
  76. 17:12Cool Collectibles
  77. 17:14Cold Steel Aspa
  78. 17:26Persian Design Interpretation
  79. 17:29Smail Mud Master Watch
  80. 17:37Review Conclusion
  81. 17:41No Cutting Video Shown
  82. 17:48Cutting Potential
  83. 17:55Not a Farming Implement
  84. 17:58Purpose: To Sever
  85. 18:04Cold Steel Demo Video Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary material of the Cold Steel Chinese War Sword?

The Cold Steel Chinese War Sword is constructed from 1060 carbon steel, known for its durability and ability to hold a sharp edge, making it suitable for its intended cutting and cleaving functions.

What are the historical uses of the Chinese Dao, which the Cold Steel sword interprets?

Historically, the Chinese Dao, including variants like the war sword, served multiple roles. It was a battlefield weapon during dynasties like the Ming, an intimidation tool for occupational forces in the early 1900s, and unfortunately, also used as an execution weapon.

What are the key dimensions and weight of the Cold Steel Chinese War Sword?

This interpretation of the Chinese War Sword features a blade length of approximately 23.25 inches, a handle length of 14.5 inches, and weighs around 3.6 pounds, classifying it as a substantial two-handed weapon.

How does the Cold Steel Chinese War Sword compare to a katana in terms of combat effectiveness?

While the Chinese War Sword excels at cleaving and hacking, a katana is generally considered faster, more versatile for thrusting and shearing cuts, and less fatiguing to wield in prolonged combat scenarios.

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