Khanda For Comment

Lew · 8th November 2010, 10:23 PM

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?

Atlantia · 8th November 2010, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lew

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

Lew · 8th November 2010, 11:03 PM

Here you go.

Atlantia · 8th November 2010, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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?

Lew · 8th November 2010, 11:53 PM

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.

Jens Nordlunde · 9th November 2010, 05:33 PM

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

Jens Nordlunde · 9th November 2010, 05:45 PM

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

Lew · 9th November 2010, 06:01 PM

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.

CharlesS · 9th November 2010, 06:25 PM

Very noice Lew!

Norman McCormick · 9th November 2010, 07:32 PM

Hi Lew,
Is this what is meant by 'Eye Khandi'

Really nice aquisition, been looking for a good one of these for a while now to complement my Tulwars, maybe someday!
My Regards,
Norman.

Jim McDougall · 9th November 2010, 10:02 PM

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

Lew · 9th November 2010, 10:50 PM

Jim

The blade is pattern welded

Jim McDougall · 10th November 2010, 03:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lew

Jim

The blade is pattern welded

Thanks Lew

Gavin Nugent · 10th November 2010, 05:14 AM

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

8th November 2010, 10:23 PM	#1
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	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?

8th November 2010, 11:03 PM	#3
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Here you go. Attached Images

10th November 2010, 05:14 AM	#14
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	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

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8th November 2010, 11:53 PM	#5
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	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.

9th November 2010, 05:33 PM	#6
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	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

9th November 2010, 05:45 PM	#7
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	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

9th November 2010, 06:01 PM	#8
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	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.

9th November 2010, 06:25 PM	#9
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Very noice Lew!

9th November 2010, 07:32 PM	#10
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,597	Hi Lew, Is this what is meant by 'Eye Khandi' Really nice aquisition, been looking for a good one of these for a while now to complement my Tulwars, maybe someday! My Regards, Norman.

9th November 2010, 10:02 PM	#11
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,945	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

9th November 2010, 10:50 PM	#12
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Jim The blade is pattern welded