re replacement baldrics:
someone posted a source for 'proper' thai braided cotton baldrics in various colours
here - thru cozun's , i might eventually order some of those for my larger dha's; meanwhile the local field expedient of using the nicely decorative nylon vs. the plain waxed (thus difficult to colour) cotton sash cord expedient i could also buy suits me.
i'm not as conservative for unattached non-permanent addons as i would be for reconstuction of the sword itself, i'd like to think an indiginous dha user who would be in need of replacing his baldric would use what he had readily to hand, possibly selecting a more decorative of two alternatives, which is what i'm doing. feel free to flame me for being practical & not being traditional.
i tried some sash cord on my first dha (the one with the kukri above), can't say i like it much. from what i saw in the other thread proper dha baldrics would be more expensive also at 46$ (£23) ea. the large dia. colored climbing rope is £0.80/metre x 5.5m. = £4.40 ea. waxed white cotton sash cord is about £5 for 10m. (will do 2 dha's if careful), unwaxed jute sash cord a bit cheaper & scratchier & not nice...heck, might even try making one out of cotton string, with a circular braid & dye it myself. string is cheap. i also note that halter rope comes in a variety of matls. and colours. will have to pop in to the local saddlery shop next time i go to town....