Part of the MoonSwords Steel Guide series. See the full matrix to compare every steel we forge.
Quick answer: Every jian and dao in our Master Collection is forged by Master Zhao Peiyan in Longquan, China's historic sword-making city. Seven are pattern-welded Damascus (typically 56–60 HRC), from $700 to $29,995. One, the Qianqing Sword, uses laminated construction: a hard steel core clad in softer steel, typically 58–60 HRC at the core.
Longquan and the Master Collection
Longquan, in Zhejiang province, has been associated with Chinese swordsmithing for centuries. Master Zhao Peiyan is a Chinese government-certified master craftsman, and his pieces are the only ones in our catalog he forges personally. For the history behind the forms, see the origins of the jian and Tang dynasty sword culture.
Master Collection Damascus
Like our Japanese-line Damascus, these blades are pattern-welded, with layers forge-welded, folded and etched to reveal the grain. The blend is proprietary. On these pieces, the pattern, the form and Master Zhao's hand are what you are paying for.
- Dao: Jiu Long ($700), a Qing dynasty dao, and Dragon Soul, a Tang dynasty sword.
- Jian: Dragon and Phoenix, Qian Kun, Chi Xiao and Bing Heng.
- The Yongle Emperor Sword: a Ming dynasty jian with hand-carved solid silver fittings, the most premium piece in our catalog. See it here.
Laminated Construction: The Qianqing Sword
Laminated blades place a harder steel at the core, where the edge is formed, and wrap it in softer, tougher steel. The result pairs a keen edge with a resilient body, and the boundary between the layers often shows as a visible line along the blade. The Qianqing Sword ($3,499), a Qing dynasty jian, is our laminated Master Collection piece.
Certificates of Authenticity
Serialized documentation and a Certificate of Authenticity are available on select Master Collection pieces. It varies by sword, so check the individual product page. Our limited edition swords guide explains what to look for.
Care
These are carbon-steel blades, not stainless. Wipe after handling, keep a thin coat of oil on the blade and store it away from humidity. Our display sword care checklist covers collector-level care.
Browse the full Master Collection.
FAQ
Who forges the Master Collection?
Master Zhao Peiyan, personally, in Longquan.
What is the difference between Damascus and laminated?
Damascus folds many layers into a visible pattern throughout the blade. Laminated construction uses a few distinct layers, a hard core and softer cladding, to balance edge and body.
Are your HRC figures measured?
They are typical ranges for each construction. Where a product page lists a figure, that figure applies to that sword.