Tebu or not Tebu

Tim Simmons · 11th December 2014, 08:48 AM

Great to see another of these swords. I was once the owner of one. What is most interesting is that they are both made in the same way. Two pieces of blade welded together. Having held one, the weld is no scruffy repair, you can imagine the collectors opinions on seeing just one sword. The blade remains fully functional. Viewing two examples, shows this is a traditional way of making a long blade in this particular region. What would be good, if it could possibly be shown without any doubt how the weld was made ie fire weld or gas? Of all the Tabouka like swords these seem to be fairly uncommon.

Iain · 11th December 2014, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

Great to see another of these swords. I was once the owner of one. What is most interesting is that they are both made in the same way. Two pieces of blade welded together. Having held one, the weld is no scruffy repair, you can imagine the collectors opinions on seeing just one sword. The blade remains fully functional. Viewing two examples, shows this is a traditional way of making a long blade in this particular region. What would be good, if it could possibly be shown without any doubt how the weld was made ie fire weld or gas? Of all the Tabouka like swords these seem to be fairly uncommon.

Hi Tim, I'm not seeing a weld on Marcus' sword? The one I showed is the same you used to own.

Colin, yes I think these are locally smelted iron.

Oriental-Arms · 11th December 2014, 10:52 AM

In the last couple of years several of these long Tebu swords popped up in the French markets. All of very similar dimensions and construction. See below another nice exemplar, unfortunately without a scabbard.

Tim Simmons · 11th December 2014, 03:21 PM

Here?

Iain · 11th December 2014, 03:27 PM

Hmm, could be, but it doesn't seem clear cut like the example you and I had to examine. The join doesn't seem to cross the spine. Perhaps Marcus can add his thoughts?

Tim Simmons · 11th December 2014, 03:55 PM

It looks like it may be staggered at the opposite sides and there appears to be a kind of lump between?

Marcus · 12th December 2014, 10:46 PM

Nothing on my sword looks like a weld to me. I asked my blacksmith friend Steve Bloom, who makes knives and short swords from his own pattern weld Damascus how he thought it might have been made:

"Start with a square piece -- on the diamond -- work it between two plate of steel - each with a grove aligned over the other - one "corner" into the bottom and one (the opposite) into the top. Mash. I've seen (Al) Pendray do this this. With a top & bottom tool, it isn't that hard."

11th December 2014, 10:52 AM	#3
Oriental-Arms Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Haifa, Israel Posts: 183	In the last couple of years several of these long Tebu swords popped up in the French markets. All of very similar dimensions and construction. See below another nice exemplar, unfortunately without a scabbard. Attached Images

11th December 2014, 03:21 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,917	Here? Attached Images

12th December 2014, 10:46 PM	#7
Marcus Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 420	I don't see a weld Nothing on my sword looks like a weld to me. I asked my blacksmith friend Steve Bloom, who makes knives and short swords from his own pattern weld Damascus how he thought it might have been made: "Start with a square piece -- on the diamond -- work it between two plate of steel - each with a grove aligned over the other - one "corner" into the bottom and one (the opposite) into the top. Mash. I've seen (Al) Pendray do this this. With a top & bottom tool, it isn't that hard."

11th December 2014, 08:48 AM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,917	Great to see another of these swords. I was once the owner of one. What is most interesting is that they are both made in the same way. Two pieces of blade welded together. Having held one, the weld is no scruffy repair, you can imagine the collectors opinions on seeing just one sword. The blade remains fully functional. Viewing two examples, shows this is a traditional way of making a long blade in this particular region. What would be good, if it could possibly be shown without any doubt how the weld was made ie fire weld or gas? Of all the Tabouka like swords these seem to be fairly uncommon.

11th December 2014, 03:27 PM	#5
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,719	Hmm, could be, but it doesn't seem clear cut like the example you and I had to examine. The join doesn't seem to cross the spine. Perhaps Marcus can add his thoughts?

11th December 2014, 03:55 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,917	It looks like it may be staggered at the opposite sides and there appears to be a kind of lump between?