Quick dha question..

Steven C. · 13th May 2007, 08:42 AM

Having been looking through the Oriental Arms site for the better half of my night, I noticed that quite a bit of dha have heavily inlaid and decorated blades, as well as full silver handles and even scabbards.

Now I'm wondering, how does one tell if a dha was meant for fighting or not? Are these heavily decorated ones with inlay spanning the entire length of the blade used in the same way modern U.S. Marine shamshirs are, i.e., not intended for use. And if so how does on tell if a dha was intended as an actual weapon or not?

Just need to know while I'm still learning the blades I plan on collecting.. because I really do not want to be collecting anything that wasnt intended as a weapon. I really don't like ceremonial only weapons.

Steven C. · 14th May 2007, 03:44 AM

Bumping this. Sorry, it got pushed down pretty quick without any replies ..

~Alaung_Hpaya~ · 14th May 2007, 10:16 AM

Hi Steven ,

I'm not the best person to answer this as I'm new to collecting these swords ( I own less than 1/2 dozen ) but from my reading it seems that inlaying ( or actually overlaying / koftgari ) is a technique used exclusively by the Bama ( ethnic Burman ) and not by anyone else even in Myanmar itself . Other cultures also heavily decorate their swords the use of silver and ivory in better quality swords is fairly common place for high end dha . Pre British colonisation in Burma sumptuary laws prevented anyone other than nobles to decorate their swords with silver or horn and only the king was allowed gold or gems.

Many of these swords were intended as ceremonial gifts ( and are not as old as made out ) but are nevertheless well made and can be used for training purposes as they are well built and well balanced . I can see the desire to own something that is beautiful as well as it being a "proper" sword that can be used however I couldn't see a situation where I personally would want to use an antique for martial arts training / sparring or even in self "defense".

In the 18th century at least , the Bama felt that swordsmanship was an essential and noble art and Alaunghpaya ( founder of Third Burmese Empire ) despised anyone as cowardly if they would rather shoot someone than spar with the sword . ( folklore rather than any quotable evidence

). Nevertheless dha were a regular feature in the first Anglo-BUrmese War 1824 - 1826 as witnessed by British and Indian troops .

There are however "tourist" swords on the market so beware ( but usually the price reflects this ) . I own a dha from the 19th century that clearly has been used ( alot ) judging from the battle wounds . It is however inordinately beautiful ( the overlay is subtle ) .

I'll bump up that thread if you like ( or look at thread My First Dha )

Regards

Mark · 14th May 2007, 02:56 PM

I think Alaung Hpaya has covered the question well. I would only add that you can expect simple, unadorned dha to be mean for actual use. In most cases they were dual-purpose tools and weapons.

If you plan on using a dha for martial arts practice, be away that the tangs on these are very short (between 2 and 3 inches for even a full-length blade). This is the traditional and proper form of the tang, by the way, and not any indication that the dha is not "real." The blade is often just pressure fit in the grip, though pitch or other adhesive is also used. As they age or are taken to a drier climate, the wood of the handle contracts, and the adhesive deteriorates and cracks. Thus, the blade can become loose or unstable in the grip and could easily fly off when the dha is swung. So if you want to use it for martial arts training, be sure that the blade is well affixed in the handle.

PUFF · 21st May 2007, 02:02 AM

~Alaung_Hpaya~ your reply 's clean and clear !!!

Like marine sabre, many inlaid Dha 're for use and much more many 're for show.

13th May 2007, 08:42 AM	#1
Steven C. Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Port Richey, Florida Posts: 20	Quick dha question.. Having been looking through the Oriental Arms site for the better half of my night, I noticed that quite a bit of dha have heavily inlaid and decorated blades, as well as full silver handles and even scabbards. Now I'm wondering, how does one tell if a dha was meant for fighting or not? Are these heavily decorated ones with inlay spanning the entire length of the blade used in the same way modern U.S. Marine shamshirs are, i.e., not intended for use. And if so how does on tell if a dha was intended as an actual weapon or not? Just need to know while I'm still learning the blades I plan on collecting.. because I really do not want to be collecting anything that wasnt intended as a weapon. I really don't like ceremonial only weapons.

14th May 2007, 03:44 AM	#2
Steven C. Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Port Richey, Florida Posts: 20	Bumping this. Sorry, it got pushed down pretty quick without any replies ..

14th May 2007, 10:16 AM	#3
~Alaung_Hpaya~ Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 65	Hi Steven , I'm not the best person to answer this as I'm new to collecting these swords ( I own less than 1/2 dozen ) but from my reading it seems that inlaying ( or actually overlaying / koftgari ) is a technique used exclusively by the Bama ( ethnic Burman ) and not by anyone else even in Myanmar itself . Other cultures also heavily decorate their swords the use of silver and ivory in better quality swords is fairly common place for high end dha . Pre British colonisation in Burma sumptuary laws prevented anyone other than nobles to decorate their swords with silver or horn and only the king was allowed gold or gems. Many of these swords were intended as ceremonial gifts ( and are not as old as made out ) but are nevertheless well made and can be used for training purposes as they are well built and well balanced . I can see the desire to own something that is beautiful as well as it being a "proper" sword that can be used however I couldn't see a situation where I personally would want to use an antique for martial arts training / sparring or even in self "defense". In the 18th century at least , the Bama felt that swordsmanship was an essential and noble art and Alaunghpaya ( founder of Third Burmese Empire ) despised anyone as cowardly if they would rather shoot someone than spar with the sword . ( folklore rather than any quotable evidence ). Nevertheless dha were a regular feature in the first Anglo-BUrmese War 1824 - 1826 as witnessed by British and Indian troops . There are however "tourist" swords on the market so beware ( but usually the price reflects this ) . I own a dha from the 19th century that clearly has been used ( alot ) judging from the battle wounds . It is however inordinately beautiful ( the overlay is subtle ) . I'll bump up that thread if you like ( or look at thread My First Dha ) Regards

14th May 2007, 02:56 PM	#4
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	I think Alaung Hpaya has covered the question well. I would only add that you can expect simple, unadorned dha to be mean for actual use. In most cases they were dual-purpose tools and weapons. If you plan on using a dha for martial arts practice, be away that the tangs on these are very short (between 2 and 3 inches for even a full-length blade). This is the traditional and proper form of the tang, by the way, and not any indication that the dha is not "real." The blade is often just pressure fit in the grip, though pitch or other adhesive is also used. As they age or are taken to a drier climate, the wood of the handle contracts, and the adhesive deteriorates and cracks. Thus, the blade can become loose or unstable in the grip and could easily fly off when the dha is swung. So if you want to use it for martial arts training, be sure that the blade is well affixed in the handle.

21st May 2007, 02:02 AM	#5
PUFF Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 30 miles north of Bangkok, 20 miles south of Ayuthaya, Thailand Posts: 224	~Alaung_Hpaya~ your reply 's clean and clear !!! Like marine sabre, many inlaid Dha 're for use and much more many 're for show.