Brief Description:  The pudao (or podao) is a traditional Chinese infantry polearm featuring a broadsword-style blade attached to a long wooden staff. Known historically as the "horse-cutter" due to its effectiveness at slicing the legs out from under cavalry mounts, it combines the reach of a spear with the devastating chopping power of a heavy saber.

Key Characteristics at a Glance:

Overall Length: Typically ranges from 1.5 to 2 meters (4 to 6 feet), with the blade often making up roughly a third of the total length.

Blade: Single-edged, heavily curved, and broad, much like a dadao or Chinese broadsword. It is built for hacking, slicing, and cleaving rather than precise thrusting.

Handle: A circular wooden staff (often oak) that allows for two-handed wielding. It frequently features a heavy steel ring at the pommel used for balance, leverage, or hooking techniques.

Guard: Usually a solid circular or curved metal handguard, sometimes styled with decorative elements like a dragon's head or tassels.

Tang: Built for heavy combat, historical models traditionally feature an extended, full-tang design where the steel of the blade runs deeply down through the shaft to provide maximum durability.