Takouba for coments ... and a question

katana · 6th October 2008, 08:28 PM

Hi Fernando

,
Takouba and Kaskara tend to be re-hilted / re-sheathed fairly regularly. My understanding is that, locally, there is no interest or prestige in 'old' hilts, if its worn out ...they are replaced. However sometimes older brass/copper crossguards and pommels are re-used, if undamaged.

On that basis it is the blade that is the determining factor. The fullers can be an indicator of age....more recent ones are almost all ground...not forged. Many more recent Takouba tend to be very thin and springy.....as vehicle 'leaf springs' are often used and re-cycled. Crossguards and the handles are often made from sheet metal, again often re-cycled from scrap. I have seen one where the leather covering had come away revealing an old 'Shell Oil' logo (possibly 1950's).
It seems that older blades tend to be 'thicker'.......why more recent ones are quite thin ..I do not know....unless it is that they are now only regarded as a 'dress item'.

As a footnote, I have also noticed many blades are heavily scratched....I wonder whether sand is used as an abrasive cleaner

Kind Regards David

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6th October 2008, 08:28 PM	#8
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Fernando , Takouba and Kaskara tend to be re-hilted / re-sheathed fairly regularly. My understanding is that, locally, there is no interest or prestige in 'old' hilts, if its worn out ...they are replaced. However sometimes older brass/copper crossguards and pommels are re-used, if undamaged. On that basis it is the blade that is the determining factor. The fullers can be an indicator of age....more recent ones are almost all ground...not forged. Many more recent Takouba tend to be very thin and springy.....as vehicle 'leaf springs' are often used and re-cycled. Crossguards and the handles are often made from sheet metal, again often re-cycled from scrap. I have seen one where the leather covering had come away revealing an old 'Shell Oil' logo (possibly 1950's). It seems that older blades tend to be 'thicker'.......why more recent ones are quite thin ..I do not know....unless it is that they are now only regarded as a 'dress item'. As a footnote, I have also noticed many blades are heavily scratched....I wonder whether sand is used as an abrasive cleaner Kind Regards David