Afghan Tabarzin

kronckew · 14th March 2024, 10:18 AM

Yes, very similar in shape, I suspect the more mundane undecorated ones are indeed for locals & every day use, while the pierced and decorated ones are for war, status, and parade use. The ones with the screw on heads are likely for display only, a 'feature' allowing they to be packed easier for shipping home.

RobT · 15th March 2024, 12:30 AM

kronckew,

The use of shields and or chain mail was common in the sub-continent. I’ve not seen any axe head of the pierced variety that I believed robust enough to stand up to being used against such defenses or to have sufficient heft to deal an effective blow against same. Traditional Persian and Indo-Persian tabor zin are much heavier than any of these style axe heads (even my made in India one). Not only are the traditional tabor zin stout enough to survive hitting armor, they have enough gravitas to defeat it.
I don’t think the screw-tops should be relegated to wall hanger status for two reasons. One, cutting screw threads seems like more work than would be expended on a tourist/bring back item. Two, the construction appears to be sufficient for civilian altercations because the combatants wouldn’t be using shields or armor. If greater strength were deemed necessary, the screw-top heads could be more firmly affixed by applying lathi or some other vegetable epoxy to the threads.

Sincerely,
RobT

15th March 2024, 12:30 AM	#2
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 456	Don't Count the Screw-tops Out kronckew, The use of shields and or chain mail was common in the sub-continent. I’ve not seen any axe head of the pierced variety that I believed robust enough to stand up to being used against such defenses or to have sufficient heft to deal an effective blow against same. Traditional Persian and Indo-Persian tabor zin are much heavier than any of these style axe heads (even my made in India one). Not only are the traditional tabor zin stout enough to survive hitting armor, they have enough gravitas to defeat it. I don’t think the screw-tops should be relegated to wall hanger status for two reasons. One, cutting screw threads seems like more work than would be expended on a tourist/bring back item. Two, the construction appears to be sufficient for civilian altercations because the combatants wouldn’t be using shields or armor. If greater strength were deemed necessary, the screw-top heads could be more firmly affixed by applying lathi or some other vegetable epoxy to the threads. Sincerely, RobT

14th March 2024, 10:18 AM	#1
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,152	Yes, very similar in shape, I suspect the more mundane undecorated ones are indeed for locals & every day use, while the pierced and decorated ones are for war, status, and parade use. The ones with the screw on heads are likely for display only, a 'feature' allowing they to be packed easier for shipping home.