
Here are examples of these two-handed dao that I recently saw in the History Museum at Hanoi, Vietnam. They were part of a large showcase full of weapons which the brief display captions only attributed to Vietnamese rebels opposing French colonial rule in the late 19th to the turn of the 20th century.
1. The "dadao" (big knife) was a common peasant's weapon in China and Vietnam as well (this example could be from either country). Key characteristics:
a. Wide, curving blade with broadening at the tip which is
usually "clipped" or shaped with an acute angle or con-
cave profile
b. Long handle intended for two handed grasp
c. Ring shaped pommel a usual feature, a survival from
bronze age knives
d. Heavy, sturdy, somewhat crude weapon ideal for fighters
placing more reliance on strength than technique
2. The "shuangshoudao", a long-handled version of the "peidao" or saber, made in varying hilt/blade length ratios, for specialized troops. The "miaodao" used today by some martial artists belongs to this family of weapons. This example is of Qing origin, and although it is rusted and in worn condition, it is of high quality manufacture with artistic decoration. Key characteristics:
a. NARROW slightly curving blade, usually of "willow leaf"
shape
b. Long handle with small pommel
c. Disc shaped guard
d. Versatile blade shape, capable of short and long cuts along
with thrusts, the technique being effective yet easy to
learn
Sorry for poor quality of photo, I had to shoot at an angle to avoid glare on the (dusty) glass, and lighting was awful. I'm putting these up mainly as illustrative examples of major dao types.