Thanks a lot! I just expected words; pictures; 4,000 words or something. The construction is much different than I'd thought. The soft stuff could it be cloth, even? I've seen this in leather covered African hilts. I hadn't realized those bands were iron; I'm with you on the leather being original now. That is a big word "iron"; makes a big difference. I thouht they were leather. What a cool sword. The leather over metal over soft stuff constuction is seen on takouba.....
You know, sometimes the similarities and universality of concept and design fascinate me, but also, just the amazing variety; it often seems inconceivable it can ever all be catalogued or understood; what an enormous challenge................
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