Cham Ma Dao (Horse Knife)

Description

Known by many names (Horse Knife, Chai Dao, Thieves’ Encampment Sword, Pu Dao, etc.), the Horse Knife is a member of the Tai Dao (long-handled broadsword) family and is the brother of the infamous Kwan Dao. Its blade, unlike most long-handled broadswords, is a spring steel broadsword blade (stiff with some flex) and it can seem to be heavy and broad compared to the single-handed weapons for incredible chopping force. Where the broadsword slices by drawing its curved blade across the target, the Horse Knife brutally hacks in a fashion more similar to a machete or cudgel. By virtue of its long handle and ring-shaped counterbalance, the Horse Knife is far from unwieldy and has many techniques in common with both the staff and Kwan Dao.