Paging Andrew
 

Hi Andrew,

I knew I had this picture saved.
Hope you don't mind :)

Is this a Montagnard? I love the blade's shape and the handle.
Would greatly appreciate some more photos and specs :)
Thank you sooo much :)

Further
 

It is interesting that by my eye judgement, the handle is 1/3 of the overall length, which means it is 1/2 of the blade's lenght.

In a purely functional perspective, I have always thought that the golden proportions for a sword would always be 1/3 handle + 2/3 blade.
It just works in very harmonious balance and the Thais knew that.

Some of my own examples just to corroborate:

http://www.arscives.com/bladesign/my...lackblade2.jpg

http://www.arscives.com/bladesign/my.../10a.%20L6.jpg

http://www.arscives.com/bladesign/my...-dha_small.jpg

Apologies for the bandwith.

Thanks once more. :)

Hi Antonio.

Now I know which sword you've been referring to! That's not a Montagnard dha. That's a contemporary Thai sword that fits loosely into the "Shan" category (although we need to revisit that typology--someday.).

Here is an excellent thread on the old forum that Ian started regarding these particular swords: http://www.vikingsword.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001291.html

The fact that this particular sword is contemporary should not discourage you. It is an historical style, and is my personal favorite (I, too, favor the 1/3 handle, 2/3 blade distribution for my swords, particularly those I cut with).

I have several older examples of this style in my collection, and the custom sword I comissioned from John Lundemo was based on it:

http://www.vikingsword.com/i3/e1778a.jpg

The sword you posted is no longer in my possession (I gifted it to Ian some years ago to assist him in his research of these contemporary Thai swords). However, I'll be happy to provide you with the stats on my Lundemo dha, as well as some other older, but very similar, Shan/Thai swords. In fact, one appears in my avatar. :)

Best regards,
Andrew

Hi Andrew,

Thank you for your clarification. I am really still very ignorant on Dhas and Dharbs, and my available time is rather limited.
Nonetheless I've learnt something more :) Practical lessons are the best way to learn. I don't feel discouraged by it being contemporary. I am glad we share the same 1/3 handle 2/3 blades proportion :)

Actually I view all types of Thai swords to have a very innovative and diversified shapes.
I'll definitely bookmark Ian's thread, and I suspect that the sword below belongs to the same category/typology of Shan

http://www.vikingsword.com/i2/e1291t20.jpg

I see that it has a slightly curved handle.

That beautiful damascus dha you comissioned has some exquisite carving that somehow blends with the damascus. I believe I can see that the blade has some niku compared to Thai blades. Is this true or is it a reflection?

This is a question out of curiosity on how one's experience in one type of blade transmits into another type.

My custom dha type sword by Nathan Creel is a very robust blade compared to the thinner dha blade that I bought from Lung-Som and it also has niku, reason why I asked :)

Thank you very much.
Going to hit the sack :)

Hi Antonio,

Your eye is, as always, very keen. No niku in the sense you'd find it on a Japanese sword, but it is quite "meaty". Also, it has been given a thick, "apple-seed" edge, which may be what you're noticing. It's easily the best cutting sword I've ever handled.

Most dha have a wedge-shaped blade cross-section. Some are very thin and light, and some are more than 1/4" (>1cm) at the spine. Spines are often flat, but many will be peaked to greater or lesser degree (but not, in my experience, anything approaching the ridge-line on a Japanese sword).

So many different blade shapes and forms appear on dha that you really can't go "wrong". Please keep me posted on the progress of this project. I'm excited to see where you take it. :)

Best,
Andrew

Hi Andrew,

Most kind of you. Yes, the apple seed edge was very much what I wanted to mean. Not like a V type straight section hira-zukuri.

I have noticed some of the ridges in Dhas and they are very nice with their markings. I have opted for a less wide blade because of the scabbard mouth, but there will be blade where blade is needed and I will polish the blade which will receive two pins.

The project can be seen here http://www.arscives.com/bladesign/th...nk.project.htm and I very much like the contrast of the wood with the black wood.
Can't wait for it :)

Again thank you for your kind advice,
Best,

Antonio