This is footage of Scott M. Rodell demonstrating testing cutting for both sword (jian) and saber (dao).
DISCLAIMER: This video presentation is for demonstration purposes only. THE PRACTICE OF SWORDSMANSHIP, LIKE ANY OTHER MARTIAL ART, IS ITSELF A DANGEROUS ACTIVITY. You can absolutely expect to be injured, perhaps seriously, in the course of studying and practice martial arts. That is the nature of serious training in any martial art, this one included. Neither the author nor the publisher has any responsibility for injuries that you or anyone else might incur.