Saber or Wide Blade Sword (Dao, ) . The character for saber was also commonly translated as “Wide Blade Sword.” The blade was more than 1.5 inches wide, and the handle was often sandwiched between two pieces of wood, and then wrapped with cloth to absorb sweat. A circular or semicircular metal guard protected the hand from an enemy’s weapon sliding down the blade. Often, a handkerchief as long as the blade hung from the handle to distract the enemy and to wipe blood off the blade.
Many different types of sabers existed in China. Their structure was depen- dent on geographic area, martial technique and personal preference. Three structural characteristics were common to almost all sabers. First, the back edge of the blade was dull, except near the tip. Second, the upper one third of the blade was considerably sharper than the lower two-thirds. Finally, each side of the blade had a blood groove.
Sabers favored by Northern Chinese martial artists had curved handles and blades, both to varying extents. These weapons were not very heavy, but they were slightly longer than those used by the Southern Chinese . Since the blade of this saber was thin and shaped like a willow leaf, it was called “Willow Leaf Saber” (Liu Ye Dao, ).
The “Goose Feather Saber” (Yan Ling Dao, ) was so named due to its shape, which was like a goose feather . This saber was created during the Chinese Song Dynasty (960-1280 A.D. ) Later, in order to increase the weight to improve killing potential, either the width and the thickness of the blade was increased, rings were installed on the back of the saber, and/or the end of the handle was formed into a ring shape. This design of the saber incorporating all these changes was called “Large Ring Saber” (Da Huan Dao, ). Different numbers of rings have been used. The most common designs had six rings, called “Six Ring Saber” (Liu Huan Dao, ) and nine rings, called “Nine Ring Saber” (Jiu Huan Dao, ).2 Later, in the Chinese Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 A.D., ), the design of this saber was again changed into the “Waist Saber” (Yao Dao, ), in which the blade was thin and long, and the back of the saber was smoothly curved from the handle to the tip.
Many similar sabers were also created, such as the “Cave Saber” (Wo Dao, ) which looks like the Japanese Katana used by the Samurai . In fact, the precursor to the Katana was imported to Japan from China during the Chinese Song Dynasty (960-1280 A.D., ). This was called the “Chopping the Horse Saber” (Zhan Ma Dao, ) 6 It was designed for defense against the cavalry, through chopping the horse’s legs. The “Chopping the Horse Saber” is also known in modern times as the “Simple Saber” (Pu Dao, ). The Cave Saber was an officer’s weapon in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912 A.D., ).2
Another kind of saber was called “Miao’s Saber” (Miao Dao, became popular during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 A.D.,), which ), when Japanese pirates often harassed the Chinese coast. The design is very similar to the ones listed in the paragraph above.
Other sabers, such as the “Hand Saber” (Shou Dao, ), were created during the Chinese Song Dynasty (960-1280 A.D., ) . The hand saber was heavier than the other kinds of sabers, and the handle was designed as the handle of a sword.7 The “Large Chopping Saber” (Da Kan Dao, ), was heavy and commonly handled with both hands . The “Butterfly Saber” (Hu Die Dao, ) was short, the blade was wide, and there was an additional hand guard on the handle . This was a common southern style weapon, and was commonly used in a pair. When it was used singly, it was usually accompanied by a shield. In fact, most of the lighter sabers were commonly used together with a shield .The saber is the foundation for all short weapons. The techniques learned for the saber can be applied to all other short arms. As defensive weapons, sabers were most often used for blocking techniques. The dull, back edge of the blade blocks, followed by stabbing or cutting with the sharp edge. The curvature in the blade provides for a violent, powerful repulsion, with less curvature producing less power. Sabers were invented before the Shang Dynasty (1766-1122 B.C., ). During the Chinese Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-221 A.D., ), sabers were actually straight, and were very different after the Song Dynasty .