Question about Tulwar

Kubur · 23rd January 2021, 09:13 AM

Dear Jim & Ed,

Thank you for your comments.

I read on this forum that brass handles were used by Hindu and Sikh for religious reasons, they can't hold steel. But I don't believe in it, you have Sikh knives entirely made of steel.

I also read on the forum, that brass handles were for cheap touristic tulwars, I don't believe in it too. This statment is purely based on recent 20th c. cheap touristic tulwars. I saw in India large panoplies of Indian swords with brass hilts. They were used in forts by the garrison.

I insist on brass and not bronze, because bronze is much heavier and not very handy for battle. And as you said Ed, they were cast, but I guess that steel handles were made in two parts too...

It's still a mystery why we don't have bras tulwars on this forum.

Best,
Kubur

David R · 23rd January 2021, 02:01 PM

There is a certain amount of prejudice against brass handles probably because of the cheapo tourist pieces and imports. From what I have seen brass is used on genuine decent swords, but as issue or arsenal items.
Some of the ferrous hilts I have owned were made in pieces and then brazed together, a more skilled and labour intensive method.

Pukka Bundook · 23rd January 2021, 02:54 PM

David,

I would go so far as to say that nearly all ferrous grips were made in parts and brazed together.
I have not seen as many as some here, but all the ones I Have seen were made that way.
I will have to look through Jen's very fine book, to see if he has any brass hilts in his collection.
Kabur,

I do not know where the information came from regarding brass, and Sikh and Hindu not allowed to hold steel!
Wherever it came from it is utterly false.

Very best wishes,

Richard.

23rd January 2021, 09:13 AM	#1
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	Dear Jim & Ed, Thank you for your comments. I read on this forum that brass handles were used by Hindu and Sikh for religious reasons, they can't hold steel. But I don't believe in it, you have Sikh knives entirely made of steel. I also read on the forum, that brass handles were for cheap touristic tulwars, I don't believe in it too. This statment is purely based on recent 20th c. cheap touristic tulwars. I saw in India large panoplies of Indian swords with brass hilts. They were used in forts by the garrison. I insist on brass and not bronze, because bronze is much heavier and not very handy for battle. And as you said Ed, they were cast, but I guess that steel handles were made in two parts too... It's still a mystery why we don't have bras tulwars on this forum. Best, Kubur

23rd January 2021, 02:01 PM	#2
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,131	There is a certain amount of prejudice against brass handles probably because of the cheapo tourist pieces and imports. From what I have seen brass is used on genuine decent swords, but as issue or arsenal items. Some of the ferrous hilts I have owned were made in pieces and then brazed together, a more skilled and labour intensive method.

23rd January 2021, 02:54 PM	#3
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	David, I would go so far as to say that nearly all ferrous grips were made in parts and brazed together. I have not seen as many as some here, but all the ones I Have seen were made that way. I will have to look through Jen's very fine book, to see if he has any brass hilts in his collection. Kabur, I do not know where the information came from regarding brass, and Sikh and Hindu not allowed to hold steel! Wherever it came from it is utterly false. Very best wishes, Richard.