| Item |
Technical / Specification |
Narrative / Craft |
| Positioning |
Performance-oriented training and practical use |
Emphasis on craftsmanship, balance, and traditional spirit |
| Blade Length |
70 cm |
70 cm primary blade length for controlled cuts |
| Handle Length |
16 cm |
16 cm grip designed for precise one-hand control |
| Overall Length (Unsheathed) |
87 cm |
87 cm overall length with balanced proportions |
| Overall Length (Sheathed) |
90 cm |
90 cm when sheathed, suitable for storage and carry |
| Blade Width |
3.5 cm (tip) / 3.2 cm (base) |
Tapered profile balancing penetration and stability |
| Blade Thickness |
3 mm (tip) / 6 mm (base) |
Reinforced spine at the base with a responsive tip |
| Weight (Unsheathed) |
Approx. 790 g |
Approx. 790 g, manageable for extended handling |
| Balance Point |
16 cm from guard |
Forward-set balance for natural blade guidance |
| Tang Width |
2.4 cm |
Wide tang for structural reliability |
| Steel |
65Mn silicon-manganese spring steel |
High-toughness 65Mn spring steel |
| Heat Treatment |
Oil-quenched and tempered |
Carefully oil-quenched and tempered for resilience |
| Hardness |
Approx. HRC 55 |
Tuned to ~HRC 55 for strength with flexibility |
| Flexibility |
Bends up to 70–90° |
Capable of extreme flex while returning true |
| Blade Finish |
Hand-polished mirror finish |
Mirror-polished to reveal the steel’s integrity |
| Fittings |
Cast copper, antique bronze surface |
Antique-tone copper mounts with restrained styling |
| Handle & Scabbard |
PVC core, natural unpainted finish |
Practical, no-nonsense construction |
| Construction |
POM mekugi pin |
Modern materials supporting traditional structure |
| Grip Wrapping |
Flat waxed cord, traditional Chinese style |
Traditional flat wrap emphasizing control and feel |
| Intended User |
Spec-focused users and practitioners |
Users who value feel, balance, and craftsmanship |
In use, this blade offers excellent handling, a solid and reliable structure, and dependable performance. It is one of the few high-performance Yanling Dao currently available on the market.
The overall design philosophy focuses on practicality, durability, and simplicity, avoiding unnecessary ornamentation.
The fittings feature the honeysuckle (endurance flower) motif, symbolizing resilience and perseverance. In Buddhist tradition, it represents the immortality of the soul and the cycle of rebirth—an ideal thematic match for the spirit of the Ye Bu Shou.
Building on lessons learned from the previous generation of this design, numerous improvements have been made:
The blade profile is now more authentically Chinese, with all Japanese stylistic elements removed
All fittings and handle shapes are chamfered and rounded for improved comfort
Decorative patterns have been added to the fittings to avoid a plain appearance
The PVC handle and scabbard fully replace wood, eliminating issues such as warping, shrinkage, and cracking
Thanks to industrialized mass production, durability has increased while the overall cost has been significantly reduced—making this an accessible yet serious performance-oriented Chinese blade.
