Gongqing Jian – Lingzhi Guard, Ebony Hilt & Scabbard

Hand-Forged 60Si2Mn Steel | Traditional Chinese Jian | Bronze-Colored Copper Alloy Fittings

Product Description

The Gongqing Jian (公卿剑), or Court Official's Sword, is an elegant interpretation of the traditional Chinese straight sword, combining refined proportions, classical decorative elements, and practical construction.

Its distinctive Lingzhi-style guard (云芝格) draws inspiration from the graceful, organic forms of the lingzhi mushroom, a traditional Chinese symbol associated with longevity and auspicious fortune.

The sword features a beautifully finished ebony hilt and matching ebony scabbard, complemented by cast copper-alloy fittings. The natural richness of the dark wood contrasts with the warm metallic tones of the fittings, giving the sword a restrained and sophisticated appearance.

At the heart of the Gongqing Jian is a hand-forged 60Si2Mn spring steel blade, oil-quenched and tempered to approximately 55 HRC. The blade is carefully hand-ground and polished, with a gradual distal taper from 7 mm at the base to 3 mm toward the tip.

With a blade length of 75 cm, an unsheathed weight of approximately 920 g, and a point of balance just 5 cm forward of the guard, this jian combines substantial construction with a relatively close balance point.

The hilt is built around a wide, one-piece tang, secured with a copper mekugi-style retaining pin for structural integrity.

Bringing together traditional Chinese aesthetics and modern spring steel construction, the Gongqing Jian is a distinctive addition to the Seven Stars Swords collection.

Specifications

Specification	Details
Sword Type	Chinese Jian (Double-Edged Straight Sword)
Model	Gongqing Jian – Lingzhi Guard
Blade Steel	60Si2Mn Spring Steel
Blade Construction	Hand-Forged
Heat Treatment	Oil-Quenched and Tempered
Hardness	Approximately 55 HRC
Blade Length	75 cm / 29.5 in
Hilt Length	13 cm / 5.1 in
Overall Length (Unsheathed)	95 cm / 37.4 in
Overall Length (Sheathed)	99 cm / 39.0 in
Blade Width at Base	33 mm / 1.30 in
Blade Width Near Tip	23 mm / 0.91 in
Blade Thickness at Base	7 mm / 0.28 in
Blade Thickness Near Tip	3 mm / 0.12 in
Weight (Unsheathed)	Approximately 920 g / 2.03 lb
Point of Balance	5 cm / 2.0 in forward of the front edge of the guard
Tang Width	20 mm / 0.79 in
Tang Construction	One-Piece Wide Tang
Hilt Retention	Copper Mekugi-Style Pin
Guard & Fittings	Cast Copper Alloy
Hilt Material	Ebony
Scabbard Material	Ebony
Blade Finish	Hand-Ground and Hand-Polished
Reported Flexibility	Approximately 80–90°

Measurements and weight are approximate and may vary slightly between individual swords due to hand finishing.

Materials & Craftsmanship

Hand-Forged 60Si2Mn Spring Steel

The blade is forged from 60Si2Mn, a silicon-manganese spring steel selected for its combination of strength, toughness, and elasticity. Oil quenching and tempering produce a reported hardness of approximately 55 HRC.

Hand-Ground and Polished Blade

Each blade is manually ground and polished, emphasizing the clean geometry and elegant lines characteristic of the Chinese jian.

Lingzhi-Inspired Guard

The distinctive guard incorporates a traditional lingzhi-inspired form, adding a refined decorative element rooted in Chinese cultural symbolism.

Ebony Hilt and Scabbard

Both the hilt and scabbard are made from ebony, offering a rich, dark natural wood appearance that complements the classical sword fittings.

Wide Tang Construction

A wide, integral tang extends into the hilt and is secured with a copper mekugi-style retaining pin, providing a traditional mechanical fastening arrangement.

A Refined Chinese Jian

The Gongqing Jian offers an appealing combination of traditional Chinese design, carefully selected materials, and thoughtful craftsmanship.

With its distinctive lingzhi guard, dark ebony fittings, and balanced proportions, it is equally compelling as a collector's piece and as an example of contemporary Chinese swordmaking inspired by historical forms.