Very interesting sword! Is the wrap on the handle original? It looked like a wrap over bare wood without the rayskin underneath which could easily unravel over the course of a century, but it is difficult to say for sure. This blade has many mysteries!
It is indeed. What do you think about my theory? I believe the grip wrap is original, but as always, no way to be 100% certain. There's wood under the wrap.
@@scottm.rodellgrtc2969 I am no expert on the modernization of the Korean military, but I think it is a very plausible explanation for the origin of the blade. Others have talked about this before, but I suspect that the pipe-back miao dao blade popularized by the Guo family miao dao system was influenced by European saber design as well. As much as our modern minds like to compartmentalize antiques they really like to break the mold and stand out as individuals. Soldiers of the past saw things they liked and took those ideas with them when designing their own blades.
@@thescholar-general5975 I feel quite certain that the Pipe Back Miaodao is a Modern creation. Having handled over 3,000 antique Chinese weapons, I haven't seen any evidence of the sort of lightening of blades that pipe back produced. Chinese Dao (Sabers) stayed on the heavy side (especially compared with 19th century European Military Sabers) right through the end of the Qing period.
Many swords from Korea that are similar are considered, by collectors, to be re-purposed European swords. Looks similar to a Prussian sabre. I may have some pics if you are interested.
Interesting. Note that this particular saber is forged in the traditional fashion of sanmai construction. Not in the fashion of 19th century European military sabers.
@@JonseyWales Excellent! You know, when I was in 8th grade, people would come up to me on the street and think I played the younger version of Caine in the TV series. Who didn't love that show back in the day?
@@scottm.rodellgrtc2969 Ha ha I believe that! It's literally like watching Kwai Chang!! I can truthfully say that the Kung Fu series set the path of my entire life. I was absolutely mesmerised as a kid in the 70's and went on to a lifelong study Kung Fu and to make my career out of Chinese (and Alternative) Medicine. So, I owe a massive debt of thanks to David Carradine and the makers of that wonderful, one-off, moral, spiritual and culture changing show.
As per usual, your knowledge and insight bring light to some of the mysteries and anomalies, that sometimes exist in the design of eastern edged weapons. For over twenty years, this sword has intrigued and confounded me. My thoughts are along the same lines, Laoshi, as I've a few quality European sabers. The forging technique and cloth wrapping do resemble Chinese examples and given the cross-cultural exchanges during the late 19th century, this really comes as no surprise. Chinese smith or perhaps, a Chinese-trained Korean smith? The Japanese influence is quite obvious, as is the similarity to the famous Kogasu Maru. And it's up for sale now! Thank you for the excellent review! 🐼
Interesting blade shape .. I'd say it's a one off ..I think Korean troops had to buy their own sword. If I had to guess probably the blacksmith is Chinese or at least his style of manufacturing is old Chinese . It's not clay tempered like japanese swords it's pattern welded damascus pretty much more like a watered steel sword and was trying to be innovative perhaps hoping to sell his new sword design the blade tip is copied from a European cavalry sword ..it's an amalgamation of several designs gotta admit it's a good design ..
I believe you are correct in that it is very likely a one off. I wish we had more examples to know for certain though. It is more definitely of Chinese style qiangong (literally, inserted edge) steel, and not clay tempered. Which is one way in which we can tell it is not of Japanese origin. And I'm with you, you do have to admit it is a very good design.
The best thing is to join the Academy so you are on our mailing list and are doing the prep to get the most out of In-Person Seminars- www.chineseswordacademy.com/membershipsandcourses
Just add that there are lots of In-Person Seminars. If you are not in the Toronto area, it will be just as easy to come to the St. Paul, Minnesota Seminars. Or be adventurous and join the UK Seminar this November. Americans often fly over the pond for those- xingyiacademy.com/chinesesworduk/
Mr. *(Master) Scott M. Rodell That was a very nice presentation of the historical context by which this particular "Hwando" *(환도; 環刀) - Korean Sword was produced, I have a unique appreciation for historical armaments of Korea's past in that I am the leading authority under Grandmaster Hwang In-Mo, 10th-Dahn & Hyejangnim *(회장님; 會長님) - Chairman of the World Chung Do Mu Sool Won Association - 세계정도무술원협회 *(Korea Chung Do Mu Sool Won - 한국정도무술원) - Traditional Korean Royal Court Martial Fine Arts Association - 전통한국궁중무예술협회, and Co-Owner and President of the Hwang-Ha Do/Gum LLC Traditional Korea Royal Court Sword Forge 황하도검단조 黃河刀劍鍛造. This is a subject that is rarely ever touched upon outside of a small circle of academics and a few knowledgeable Korean Swordsmiths and Traditional Korean Sword Grandmasters, so I would like to thank you that was a very nice and concise historical presentation that even the average Korean Sword enthusiast would find informative and beneficial background material for the context of their training environment. Sincerely Grandmaster Michael Augsburger, 9th-Dahn & Wonjang *(원장; 院長) - President of the World Chung Do Mu Sool Won Association *(Korea Chung Do Mu Sool Won) - Traditional Korean Royal Court Martial Fine Arts Association. facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057095933572 facebook.com/groups/CDMSW facebook.com/Hwang-Ha-DoGum-LLC-Traditional-Korea-Royal-Court-Sword-Forge-%ED%99%A9%ED%95%98%EB%8F%84%EA%B2%80%EB%8B%A8%EC%A1%B0-%E9%BB%83%E6%B2%B3%E5%88%80%E5%8A%8D%E9%8D%9B%E9%80%A0-153921668647504
Korean swords look either like japanese or chinese swords with wierd unique spins on them like extra fat jian blades, asymmetrical katana/dao blades (found in no other culture on earth), bare ray/sharkskin hilts, so on and so forth.
It’s not that unique, the blade shape is much like those found on Mongolian sabers, and Tang dynasty sabers, and some European sabers. All humans have similar mindset and designs, hard to say that any design is found in no other culture on earth.
As a second generation Korean I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart, I'm still discovery my heritage and this brings me great joy!
My pleasure, I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it.
Fascinating as always. This is one of my favourite RUclips channels and deserves far more subscribers.
Thanks brother. You can help us with that by sharing our videos... we always appreciate that.
Thanks everyone for supporting our channel!
Very interesting sword! Is the wrap on the handle original? It looked like a wrap over bare wood without the rayskin underneath which could easily unravel over the course of a century, but it is difficult to say for sure. This blade has many mysteries!
It is indeed. What do you think about my theory?
I believe the grip wrap is original, but as always, no way to be 100% certain. There's wood under the wrap.
@@scottm.rodellgrtc2969 I am no expert on the modernization of the Korean military, but I think it is a very plausible explanation for the origin of the blade.
Others have talked about this before, but I suspect that the pipe-back miao dao blade popularized by the Guo family miao dao system was influenced by European saber design as well.
As much as our modern minds like to compartmentalize antiques they really like to break the mold and stand out as individuals. Soldiers of the past saw things they liked and took those ideas with them when designing their own blades.
@@thescholar-general5975 I feel quite certain that the Pipe Back Miaodao is a Modern creation. Having handled over 3,000 antique Chinese weapons, I haven't seen any evidence of the sort of lightening of blades that pipe back produced. Chinese Dao (Sabers) stayed on the heavy side (especially compared with 19th century European Military Sabers) right through the end of the Qing period.
Many swords from Korea that are similar are considered, by collectors, to be re-purposed European swords. Looks similar to a Prussian sabre. I may have some pics if you are interested.
Interesting. Note that this particular saber is forged in the traditional fashion of sanmai construction. Not in the fashion of 19th century European military sabers.
Funnily, I am much more familiar with European swords and immediately thought 19th century saber when I saw this blade.
That's good to hear, took me a bit to see it, even though I've seen the 19th century European sabers.
Every time I watch his videos, I can't help but think he looks like David Carradine's younger, nerdier brother.
Ha, so I'm not the only one. I always see Kwai Chang Caine when I watch Sifu Rodell!😄
@@JonseyWales Excellent! You know, when I was in 8th grade, people would come up to me on the street and think I played the younger version of Caine in the TV series. Who didn't love that show back in the day?
You mean, cooler, sword wielding brother...
@@scottm.rodellgrtc2969 Holy cow! Well, Grasshopper, you've come a long way.
@@scottm.rodellgrtc2969 Ha ha I believe that! It's literally like watching Kwai Chang!!
I can truthfully say that the Kung Fu series set the path of my entire life. I was absolutely mesmerised as a kid in the 70's and went on to a lifelong study Kung Fu and to make my career out of Chinese (and Alternative) Medicine. So, I owe a massive debt of thanks to David Carradine and the makers of that wonderful, one-off, moral, spiritual and culture changing show.
Love seeing and learning about rare swords. Another one is the Thai daa.
Looks kinda looks like a Dha, but it is actually a Tonkin Vietnamese saber.
You'll see those swords in a future video...
As per usual, your knowledge and insight bring light to some of the mysteries and anomalies, that sometimes exist in the design of eastern edged weapons. For over twenty years, this sword has intrigued and confounded me. My thoughts are along the same lines, Laoshi, as I've a few quality European sabers. The forging technique and cloth wrapping do resemble Chinese examples and given the cross-cultural exchanges during the late 19th century, this really comes as no surprise. Chinese smith or perhaps, a Chinese-trained Korean smith? The Japanese influence is quite obvious, as is the similarity to the famous Kogasu Maru. And it's up for sale now! Thank you for the excellent review! 🐼
Great presentation Sifu, thank you for sharing, as I love learning as much as I can, blessings
Thanks for your continued support brother.
Interesting blade shape .. I'd say it's a one off ..I think Korean troops had to buy their own sword. If I had to guess probably the blacksmith is Chinese or at least his style of manufacturing is old Chinese . It's not clay tempered like japanese swords it's pattern welded damascus pretty much more like a watered steel sword and was trying to be innovative perhaps hoping to sell his new sword design the blade tip is copied from a European cavalry sword ..it's an amalgamation of several designs gotta admit it's a good design ..
I believe you are correct in that it is very likely a one off. I wish we had more examples to know for certain though.
It is more definitely of Chinese style qiangong (literally, inserted edge) steel, and not clay tempered. Which is one way in which we can tell it is not of Japanese origin.
And I'm with you, you do have to admit it is a very good design.
Another fascinating video👍👍👍
Thanks. More are in the works.
Thank you so much about explaining for Korean traditional sword
No worries, thanks for your support.
Great video sifu but i have a question how can i follow you to know when you are presenting a workshop in canada in swordsmanship??
The best thing is to join the Academy so you are on our mailing list and are doing the prep to get the most out of In-Person Seminars- www.chineseswordacademy.com/membershipsandcourses
Just add that there are lots of In-Person Seminars. If you are not in the Toronto area, it will be just as easy to come to the St. Paul, Minnesota Seminars. Or be adventurous and join the UK Seminar this November. Americans often fly over the pond for those- xingyiacademy.com/chinesesworduk/
Laoshe.. thank you for posting the video
Mr. *(Master) Scott M. Rodell
That was a very nice presentation of the historical context by which this particular "Hwando" *(환도; 環刀) - Korean Sword was produced, I have a unique appreciation for historical armaments of Korea's past in that I am the leading authority under Grandmaster Hwang In-Mo, 10th-Dahn & Hyejangnim *(회장님; 會長님) - Chairman of the World Chung Do Mu Sool Won Association - 세계정도무술원협회 *(Korea Chung Do Mu Sool Won - 한국정도무술원) - Traditional Korean Royal Court Martial Fine Arts Association - 전통한국궁중무예술협회, and Co-Owner and President of the Hwang-Ha Do/Gum LLC Traditional Korea Royal Court Sword Forge 황하도검단조 黃河刀劍鍛造. This is a subject that is rarely ever touched upon outside of a small circle of academics and a few knowledgeable Korean Swordsmiths and Traditional Korean Sword Grandmasters, so I would like to thank you that was a very nice and concise historical presentation that even the average Korean Sword enthusiast would find informative and beneficial background material for the context of their training environment.
Sincerely Grandmaster Michael Augsburger, 9th-Dahn & Wonjang *(원장; 院長) - President of the World Chung Do Mu Sool Won Association *(Korea Chung Do Mu Sool Won) - Traditional Korean Royal Court Martial Fine Arts Association.
facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057095933572
facebook.com/groups/CDMSW
facebook.com/Hwang-Ha-DoGum-LLC-Traditional-Korea-Royal-Court-Sword-Forge-%ED%99%A9%ED%95%98%EB%8F%84%EA%B2%80%EB%8B%A8%EC%A1%B0-%E9%BB%83%E6%B2%B3%E5%88%80%E5%8A%8D%E9%8D%9B%E9%80%A0-153921668647504
I knew u would answer my question about if Korea would have their own sword. Very cool!
Hi Scott, I emailed last week. Hope you got it
Korean swords look either like japanese or chinese swords with wierd unique spins on them like extra fat jian blades, asymmetrical katana/dao blades (found in no other culture on earth), bare ray/sharkskin hilts, so on and so forth.
It’s not that unique, the blade shape is much like those found on Mongolian sabers, and Tang dynasty sabers, and some European sabers. All humans have similar mindset and designs, hard to say that any design is found in no other culture on earth.
@@YAOZII TIL
🤠👍🏿
I see here you have a vietnamese saber can you do a video to review that sword, thank you!