'Dha' blade restoration, are they laminated?

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by Nathaniel

Why make a handle? I think it would look just as nice if you made a stand where you could appreciate the bare blade and tang

I also think it should be left as is. Display it well and have some notes on the item with it and it will stand alone and present well. They are seldom seen.
If you don't want it, I'll display it bare here :-)

Gav

[Atlantia]

Thanks chaps, and our very kind 'lurker' James.
Ah a mead!
I've never seen one like this before? Always the heavy ended hunting knife type. Even with this swollen bolo end it's still a mead is it?
I had no idea that there was a connection to the Khukri

Finally the mystery is solved!

Um.... you chaps wouldn't put a handle on it?
But it's sad without one It wants to be a knife again.

I'm seeing a HUGE VARIETY of handles on search images.

Some appear to be wood, some Ivory, some horn/antler.

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by freebooter

I also think it should be left as is. Display it well and have some notes on the item with it and it will stand alone and present well. They are seldom seen.
If you don't want it, I'll display it bare here :-)

Gav

Gav and Nate,

Um, when you say left 'as is'........
Don't know if you saw my first thread about this blade about 2 years ago? I found it in a box of rusty 'impliments' at some market years and years ago.
It was bent and knocked about to hell.
I managed to straighten it to an acceptable level, and have now almost finished repolishing the surfaces (properly, by hand without altering the profile).
I'm going to try a light etch once the repolish is done.
I know that 'restoring' old blades is contoversial, would you have not done any of the above?

Best
Gene

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by Atlantia

Gav and Nate,

Um, when you say left 'as is'........
Don't know if you saw my first thread about this blade about 2 years ago? I found it in a box of rusty 'impliments' at some market years and years ago.
It was bent and knocked about to hell.
I managed to straighten it to an acceptable level, and have now almost finished repolishing the surfaces (properly, by hand without altering the profile).
I'm going to try a light etch once the repolish is done.
I know that 'restoring' old blades is contoversial, would you have not done any of the above?

Best
Gene

Gene,

I think what you have done up to here is perfect.

Only my personal opinion...and opinions are like you know what, everyone has one, but I'd refrain from mounting it with a handle...though tentatively speaking, you may come across a period ivory and silver handle one day that may fit perfectly...then I would consider it...
Like I said before, I'd happily display it here at home as is in the cleaned state.

Gav

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by freebooter

Gene,

I think what you have done up to here is perfect.

Only my personal opinion...and opinions are like you know what, everyone has one, but I'd refrain from mounting it with a handle...though tentatively speaking, you may come across a period ivory and silver handle one day that may fit perfectly...then I would consider it...
Like I said before, I'd happily display it here at home as is in the cleaned state.

Gav

That picture is 'pre-cleaned' and just roughly straightened.
It's been repolished now mate.

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by Atlantia

That picture is 'pre-cleaned' and just roughly straightened.
It's been repolished now mate.

Yeah I know from your posts that it is polished, no need to frown, cleaned and polished is ok, it is just the handle I would not make and fit.
I look forward to some images.

Gav

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by freebooter

Yeah I know from your posts that it is polished, no need to frown, cleaned and polished is ok, it is just the handle I would not make and fit.
I look forward to some images.

Gav

Soon mate
I'm 90% through the polish, just need to tidy and etch.
Best
Gene

[Nathaniel]

Here is a good reference of SEA utility blades shapes

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ht=thai+blades

Meed is the general Thai word for knife. It doesn't mean any specific type of knife....for instance you can kitchen knife a meed.

I would say the type of handle that would fit this type of blade would be a wooden or bone/ horn...kind of a rounded point short handle..simple silver ferrule....have to see if I can find a picture....

[Nathaniel]

Originally Posted by freebooter

Gene,

I think what you have done up to here is perfect.

Only my personal opinion...and opinions are like you know what, everyone has one, but I'd refrain from mounting it with a handle...though tentatively speaking, you may come across a period ivory and silver handle one day that may fit perfectly...then I would consider it...
Like I said before, I'd happily display it here at home as is in the cleaned state.

Gav

Gene,

I think Gav & I are on the same page here...I think what you have done sounds good...just light polish & etch.

Here is something similar to what I think we are both suggesting...simple yet elegant...this way the focus is on the blade and nothing distracts from it.

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by Nathaniel

Gene,

I think Gav & I are on the same page here...I think what you have done sounds good...just light polish & etch.

Here is something similar to what I think we are both suggesting...simple yet elegant...this way the focus is on the blade and nothing distracts from it.

Very Tastful Nathaniel and well spoken, I like it!!

What do you think Gene?

Gav

[Atlantia]

Nathaniel,
Thats a lovely blade. I've used it as a guide and somewhat straightened the tang on mine (to approximately the same angle).

I do agree with you and Gav that it looks great displayed as you have it.....
But doesn't part of you want to feel the balance with the handle restored?
Swing it around... just a little bit?

Best
Gene

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by Atlantia

Nathaniel,
Thats a lovely blade. I've used it as a guide and somewhat straightened the tang on mine (to approximately the same angle).

I do agree with you and Gav that it looks great displayed as you have it.....
But doesn't part of you want to feel the balance with the handle restored?
Swing it around... just a little bit?

Best
Gene

Go for it Gene, afterall these are just personal opinions and the item is yours.
I'd suggest asking others about using a resin to secure the handle that will keep it tight abnd secure and something that could be heated and removed should you ever desire to display it in the raw again.

Gav