Khanda For Comment
 

Hi All

Picked this up via a trade. Seems to be 18th century to me based on the quality of the blade and hilt that are all made from pattern welded steel. My question is when did they stop making these wonderful swords for war. All I can say is towards around 1835-50 you begin to notice more tulwar being worn but I rarely see khanda swords? So did the khanda fall out of style much like the the cut and thrust swords of Europe only to be replaced by a lighter faster sword?

Might wanna stop teasing and share a picture of that bad boy then Lew ;)

Here you go.

Wish I hadn't asked now ;)
Its beautiful mate! Is that the much emulated 'birds eye/raindrop' pattern?
Seriously, its jaw dropping! Whats the overall length?

Will need to measure it when I get home but my guess is the blade is 32-34 inches long. Yes it's a form of birds eye but more random then the modern stuff.

Lew,
It's a nice khanda you have bought - congratulation.
Nice pattern welded work all over, made by a craftsman. It's likely to be Deccan, and maybe it is 18th century, but it could also be older.
I would be interested to hear your comments when you have received it.
Jens

Sorry - I did not answer your question.
You are right, from mid 19th century the tulwar seems to have take over, as we see fewer of the other Indian sword types.
Jens

Jens

The sword is quite solid the blade is thinner than I imagined it would be at about an .125 inches thick. The edged is quite sharp even the tip has a cutting edge. The hilt is quite comfortable even my big hand fits with no pinching or binding. The sword is heavy but not unwielding. Grasping the back spike with my left hand helps stablize the sword when swinging it.

Very noice Lew! :p

Hi Lew,
Is this what is meant by 'Eye Khandi' :D Really nice aquisition, been looking for a good one of these for a while now to complement my Tulwars, maybe someday!
My Regards,
Norman.

Norman, that is an absolute classic!!! Eye Khandi!!!! brilliant :)

Lew, this is a stunning example, and I would go with the 18th century attribution in the classical blade form, and wootz above all!!
The spatulate blade is an especially nice feature as well, but then there are so many here. One of the nicest of this period Ive seen for a while. The sharp edge on this type point is because the Mahratta greatly favored wide shashing cuts in thier sword technique.

I very much agree with Jens (of course!) on the Deccan attribution.

All best regards,
Jim

Jim

The blade is pattern welded ;)

Thanks Lew

Good lookng
 

A good looking sword Lew.

Nice to see the patterning in the guard too and the blade does show a good tight pattern.
The thinness of these blades is impressive, very strong and very sharp.

The examples I placed here;

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ighlight=hindu

The smaller one shares the same blade 'type'. Where mine is sharpened both sides, yours has a long support to the spine area. the example in the link, despite only having a central support, it is still very strong with good flex.

The larger one, well that is a totally different animal and although Elgood doesn't show an example in his work there is good information about these Khanda in the Hindu arms and ritual.

Gav