Could this be Indonesian ? or Dutch?

kronckew · 6th September 2007, 03:55 PM

i've found that, barring any distracting ferrous impediments, running a small strong magnet down the grip from the bolster towards the pommel can give you an indication of where a partial tang ends. i sometimes suspend the magnet from a string just above it and move the grip under it, you can detect when the magnetic field 'grabs' and lets go near the tang end. i use a fridge magneted teaspoon

it's got one heck of a strong magnet in a teeny round disk and a hole in the handle.... if the wood or stag is thin enough the magnet may even stick thru it and suspend itself until you slide it past the hidden tang... not very good for finding anything but how long the tang is, but that in itself is a usefull tidbit.

it may be a press fit, or their may be some cement further up the grip cavity holding it in. unless it loosens on its own, it would probably be destructive to mess with it physically, thermally or mechanically. an xray might be informative. might not too. probably not worth the expense....

katana · 6th September 2007, 06:17 PM

Hi Kronckew,
I did try previously to use a magnet....but it is very weak. Antler, I believe is an insulator and would therefor 'weaken' the attraction. Your idea of suspending the magnet is an excellent one

....I will give it a go.

Unfortunately all this detective work has only shown that this is a functional dagger. I think the origins will remain unsolved...never mind...I've grown quite attached to it

katana · 7th September 2007, 12:21 PM

Using a stronger magnet it seems that the 'tang' is 6.5 cm -7 cms ....not far off my 'guess-timate'

So it appears that the tang is solid steel, around 13mm in diameter and approx. 6.5-7 cms long.

Not a usual 'tang' at all.....it MUST be a spearhead, remounted as a dagger.

6th September 2007, 03:55 PM	#1
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	i've found that, barring any distracting ferrous impediments, running a small strong magnet down the grip from the bolster towards the pommel can give you an indication of where a partial tang ends. i sometimes suspend the magnet from a string just above it and move the grip under it, you can detect when the magnetic field 'grabs' and lets go near the tang end. i use a fridge magneted teaspoon it's got one heck of a strong magnet in a teeny round disk and a hole in the handle.... if the wood or stag is thin enough the magnet may even stick thru it and suspend itself until you slide it past the hidden tang... not very good for finding anything but how long the tang is, but that in itself is a usefull tidbit. it may be a press fit, or their may be some cement further up the grip cavity holding it in. unless it loosens on its own, it would probably be destructive to mess with it physically, thermally or mechanically. an xray might be informative. might not too. probably not worth the expense....

6th September 2007, 06:17 PM	#2
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Kronckew, I did try previously to use a magnet....but it is very weak. Antler, I believe is an insulator and would therefor 'weaken' the attraction. Your idea of suspending the magnet is an excellent one ....I will give it a go. Unfortunately all this detective work has only shown that this is a functional dagger. I think the origins will remain unsolved...never mind...I've grown quite attached to it

7th September 2007, 12:21 PM	#3
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Using a stronger magnet it seems that the 'tang' is 6.5 cm -7 cms ....not far off my 'guess-timate' So it appears that the tang is solid steel, around 13mm in diameter and approx. 6.5-7 cms long. Not a usual 'tang' at all.....it MUST be a spearhead, remounted as a dagger.