Chinese Oxtail Dao - Folded Steel Clay Tempered Qing Dynasty Broadsword With Rosewood Scabbard 36 Inches

The Oxtail Dao is one of the most recognizable blade shapes in Chinese martial arts - a single-edged saber that flares wider toward the tip, creating a center of gravity that favors powerful chopping and slicing motions. Named for the way the broadening blade profile resembles an ox's tail, this format became the signature weapon of Qing Dynasty martial artists and was the standard training saber in kung fu and wushu schools for centuries. If you've seen Chinese martial arts demonstrations with a wide-tipped curved saber, you've seen an Oxtail Dao.

This version is built at the premium end of the spectrum. The blade is forged from folded steel - layers of metal repeatedly hammered and folded to create the visible wave patterns along the surface. The clay tempering process adds a real hamon line along the edge, the result of differential hardening that produces a harder cutting edge and a more flexible spine. At 8.2 lbs, this is a heavy, substantial saber - the kind of weight that makes itself known the moment you pick it up. That density is intentional. Traditional Oxtail Dao were designed for powerful cutting motions, and the weight amplifies the blade's natural chopping geometry.

The rosewood scabbard carries a deep reddish-brown tone that's been polished to a warm satin finish. Dragon-motif copper fittings at the guard, throat, and chape add metallic accent points without overwhelming the wood. The guard features raised dragon relief work, consistent with the Qing Dynasty aesthetic. A braided cord wraps the handle with red bead accents at the pommel, keeping the overall color palette in the warm brown-red-copper range.

Two buyers gave five stars. One praised the workmanship as "outstanding" and said he would "definitely recommend." That kind of endorsement carries particular weight at this price point, where buyers are making a significant investment and need reassurance that the premium translates to premium quality.

For buyers comparing Chinese broadswords: the standard Dao options in the catalog run between $179-$229 and use manganese steel with simpler scabbards. This Oxtail Dao at its higher price point delivers folded steel construction, clay tempering, premium rosewood, copper fittings, and the distinctive wide-tip blade geometry that separates it from conventional straight-profile Dao. The price difference reflects a genuine step up in materials, construction technique, and historical specificity.

Includes rosewood scabbard. Stand not included. Free US shipping with 30-day money-back guarantee.