Zaghnal axe head

archer · 23rd January 2012, 11:06 PM

Here's a Zaghnal i got recently, about nine inches overall, with a five inch blade. I'm curious as to how they were made forged or cast? There are some
obviously cast ones recently on E Bay. This one is smaller and not as well
finished as this one at Oriental-Arms http://www.oriental-arms.com/photos.php?id=3588.

A first, I thought the blade was attached like chillanums, there is a solder like material at that point, it may only be silver. The second point of a
possible attachment is above the Tigers at the point a handle would be attached. So, my guess is it may have been made as two pieces.

Can anyone enlighten Me?

Stan S. · 24th January 2012, 10:16 PM

My understanding is that these were almost always cast rather than forged. However, it is possible that there were a few different techniques involved. Keep in mind that these are still being made in India using original molds from the 19th century and earlier to supply a tourist trade

archer · 25th January 2012, 05:13 AM

Hi Stan, I wasn't sure if it was part cast and the blade steel The areas, I felt may have been joined are still suspect. (3rd and 5th Pictures. Is there a less destructive way to test for cast without looking at the sparks from a grinder?

I did this one recently too all steel age ???

Thanks for the input I noticed the link I added did say steel elephant.

Steve

23rd January 2012, 11:06 PM	#1
archer Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 373	Zaghnal axe head Here's a Zaghnal i got recently, about nine inches overall, with a five inch blade. I'm curious as to how they were made forged or cast? There are some obviously cast ones recently on E Bay. This one is smaller and not as well finished as this one at Oriental-Arms http://www.oriental-arms.com/photos.php?id=3588. A first, I thought the blade was attached like chillanums, there is a solder like material at that point, it may only be silver. The second point of a possible attachment is above the Tigers at the point a handle would be attached. So, my guess is it may have been made as two pieces. Can anyone enlighten Me? Attached Images Last edited by archer; 24th January 2012 at 01:55 AM.

25th January 2012, 05:13 AM	#3
archer Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 373	Identify Cast vs. Steel Hi Stan, I wasn't sure if it was part cast and the blade steel The areas, I felt may have been joined are still suspect. (3rd and 5th Pictures. Is there a less destructive way to test for cast without looking at the sparks from a grinder? I did this one recently too all steel age ??? Thanks for the input I noticed the link I added did say steel elephant. Steve Attached Images

24th January 2012, 10:16 PM	#2
Stan S. Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Brooklyn, NY USA Posts: 227	My understanding is that these were almost always cast rather than forged. However, it is possible that there were a few different techniques involved. Keep in mind that these are still being made in India using original molds from the 19th century and earlier to supply a tourist trade