My first dharb for comment

Mark · 12th March 2006, 01:34 AM

I would say Thai. The slight waist, and the swelling toward the tip, are what you see in blades from Aranyik. Probably not terribly old, but its hard to tell from the photos if it is 5-years-old "not old" or 50-years-old "not old." Is that engraving on the blade, or grinding marks, or just distortion in the photo?

Titus Pullo · 12th March 2006, 06:46 AM

Looks like a sweet daab for sweet cutting! I use to have one like that, but the hilt was much better made, with thick brass guard and pomal. I heard that thing can pretty dangerous. I've heard of stories like people getting cut from the shoulder down toward the middle of the breast...typical cutting movement...and in the end the person is left with his shoulder and arm hanging from the side. Ofcourse, he would dead from the shear trauma, and maybe shock!

Valjhun · 12th March 2006, 11:48 AM

Certainly not 5 years old.

There are no engravings on the blade. I think that it was extensively cleaned by the previous owner

. There is still some rust on the blade near the hilt.

I'm attaching better photos.

Andrew · 12th March 2006, 03:01 PM

Ouch. That sure has seen too much grinding/sanding.

Personally, since the blade has been abused so, I would try to polish it out.

What makes you think the blade has been folded?

The blade is typically Thai in profile and, perhaps, our new members Titus and PUFF can confirm this. The handle is a bit unusual in my experience, and I like it. Interesting sword, congratulations.

RSWORD · 12th March 2006, 04:51 PM

While the blade profile may suggest a Thai origin, might I offer the handle shape and materials used might suggest a Vietnamese origin. The way the handle tapers at the end of the grip makes me envision an ivory tusk that may have been there at one time that you sometimes see in Vietnamese Sabers. Also, the use of thick, heavy rattan is a feature found on some Vietnamese two-handers. Philip, I am sure, could add to the features of Vietnamese saber handles. This might be why the handle shape and materials are not seeming common to Thai swords.

Andrew · 12th March 2006, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSWORD

While the blade profile may suggest a Thai origin, might I offer the handle shape and materials used might suggest a Vietnamese origin. The way the handle tapers at the end of the grip makes me envision an ivory tusk that may have been there at one time that you sometimes see in Vietnamese Sabers. Also, the use of thick, heavy rattan is a feature found on some Vietnamese two-handers. Philip, I am sure, could add to the features of Vietnamese saber handles. This might be why the handle shape and materials are not seeming common to Thai swords.

I couldn't put my finger on it, but that's it, Rick! It reminds me of the "Kochin" saber handles Philip spoke about last year at Timonium.

Valjhun · 12th March 2006, 06:27 PM

Thank you all for the wonderfull debate

Andrew, I meant forged not folded, sorry. It is obviously hand made and there are some forging flaws to and it is not machine made blade nor it was cut out from a piece of steel.

How do I polish the blade?

12th March 2006, 11:48 AM	#3
Valjhun Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 692	Certainly not 5 years old. There are no engravings on the blade. I think that it was extensively cleaned by the previous owner . There is still some rust on the blade near the hilt. I'm attaching better photos. Attached Images

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12th March 2006, 01:34 AM	#1
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	I would say Thai. The slight waist, and the swelling toward the tip, are what you see in blades from Aranyik. Probably not terribly old, but its hard to tell from the photos if it is 5-years-old "not old" or 50-years-old "not old." Is that engraving on the blade, or grinding marks, or just distortion in the photo?

12th March 2006, 06:46 AM	#2
Titus Pullo Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 123	Looks like a sweet daab for sweet cutting! I use to have one like that, but the hilt was much better made, with thick brass guard and pomal. I heard that thing can pretty dangerous. I've heard of stories like people getting cut from the shoulder down toward the middle of the breast...typical cutting movement...and in the end the person is left with his shoulder and arm hanging from the side. Ofcourse, he would dead from the shear trauma, and maybe shock!

12th March 2006, 03:01 PM	#4
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Ouch. That sure has seen too much grinding/sanding. Personally, since the blade has been abused so, I would try to polish it out. What makes you think the blade has been folded? The blade is typically Thai in profile and, perhaps, our new members Titus and PUFF can confirm this. The handle is a bit unusual in my experience, and I like it. Interesting sword, congratulations.

12th March 2006, 04:51 PM	#5
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,087	While the blade profile may suggest a Thai origin, might I offer the handle shape and materials used might suggest a Vietnamese origin. The way the handle tapers at the end of the grip makes me envision an ivory tusk that may have been there at one time that you sometimes see in Vietnamese Sabers. Also, the use of thick, heavy rattan is a feature found on some Vietnamese two-handers. Philip, I am sure, could add to the features of Vietnamese saber handles. This might be why the handle shape and materials are not seeming common to Thai swords.

12th March 2006, 06:27 PM	#7
Valjhun Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 692	Thank you all for the wonderfull debate Andrew, I meant forged not folded, sorry. It is obviously hand made and there are some forging flaws to and it is not machine made blade nor it was cut out from a piece of steel. How do I polish the blade?