Khanda,what is it?

Rick · 20th May 2006, 07:42 PM

Hi William ,
Is that a downward curve I see in the blade ?
Or is it an optical delusion ?

William.m · 20th May 2006, 07:45 PM

Haha, it has a very slight inwards curved blade. It is not as much as you think as maybe my photo is a bit off im not sure why it looks so curved!!

I can get some more pictures if you would like.

Regards,

Will

Rick · 20th May 2006, 07:47 PM

More pictures are always useful .

William.m · 20th May 2006, 08:16 PM

Alrighty, have a reduced size picture here so that you can see the inward curve.
Also there is a closeup of the hilt.

ariel · 20th May 2006, 11:23 PM

My understanding that Khanda usually has re-inforcing plates on both edges, so that the upper one remains sharp for ! 1/3 and the lower one for !2/3-3/4 of the length. I looked at gatka videos where they use Khanda and the fencer kept his left hand on the back side of the blade, directing the sword.
This one is , IMHO, in Sowth Indian style (pierced guard) and the entire style of the guard is of a transition between Old Indian and basket styles. I would guess 17-18th century.
The blade... Well, it depens if one wants to call it a Patissa or a Sossun Pata (because of the downward curvature). I would not be surprised if it was wootz.
My 5 cents worth....

Rick · 20th May 2006, 11:23 PM

Stone shows a similar piece with a slightly downcurved blade . It looks also like the blade has been fairly vigorously cleaned ; regardless of that I like it !
Antique shop find ; boot sale ?
The hilt is quite nice .

William.m · 21st May 2006, 12:45 AM

Ohhh, very interesting! I don't think it is 17th century as the scabbard looks fairly modern, but then again it may just be a recent addition. The hilt certainly looks and feels very old, but the blade itself does not.

Along the blade there is a fuller, which I am assuming has almost dissipeared due to a strong polish over the years.

In regards to the blade having re-inforcing plates, this may had been as if you can see on the pictures just above the guard there is a hole in the blade. Perhaps this was used for attaching these plates?

On monday if the weather is good, I plan to give the blade an acid wash to see if it is indeed wootz steel.

Anyways many thanks to Rick and Ariel, you have been of great help and I will post pictures of my acid wash results.

Regards,

Will

Rick · 21st May 2006, 12:50 AM

Gently with the acid Will ....

20th May 2006, 07:42 PM	#1
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,366	Hi William , Is that a downward curve I see in the blade ? Or is it an optical delusion ?

20th May 2006, 07:45 PM	#2
William.m Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: England Posts: 104	Haha, it has a very slight inwards curved blade. It is not as much as you think as maybe my photo is a bit off im not sure why it looks so curved!! I can get some more pictures if you would like. Regards, Will

20th May 2006, 07:47 PM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,366	More pictures are always useful .

20th May 2006, 08:16 PM	#4
William.m Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: England Posts: 104	Alrighty, have a reduced size picture here so that you can see the inward curve. Also there is a closeup of the hilt.

20th May 2006, 11:23 PM	#5
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	My understanding that Khanda usually has re-inforcing plates on both edges, so that the upper one remains sharp for ! 1/3 and the lower one for !2/3-3/4 of the length. I looked at gatka videos where they use Khanda and the fencer kept his left hand on the back side of the blade, directing the sword. This one is , IMHO, in Sowth Indian style (pierced guard) and the entire style of the guard is of a transition between Old Indian and basket styles. I would guess 17-18th century. The blade... Well, it depens if one wants to call it a Patissa or a Sossun Pata (because of the downward curvature). I would not be surprised if it was wootz. My 5 cents worth....

21st May 2006, 12:45 AM	#7
William.m Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: England Posts: 104	Ohhh, very interesting! I don't think it is 17th century as the scabbard looks fairly modern, but then again it may just be a recent addition. The hilt certainly looks and feels very old, but the blade itself does not. Along the blade there is a fuller, which I am assuming has almost dissipeared due to a strong polish over the years. In regards to the blade having re-inforcing plates, this may had been as if you can see on the pictures just above the guard there is a hole in the blade. Perhaps this was used for attaching these plates? On monday if the weather is good, I plan to give the blade an acid wash to see if it is indeed wootz steel. Anyways many thanks to Rick and Ariel, you have been of great help and I will post pictures of my acid wash results. Regards, Will

21st May 2006, 12:50 AM	#8
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,366	Gently with the acid Will ....