what is it

Ian · 14th February 2006, 09:05 PM

Another example. Similar style of wrap on the hilt.

fearn · 15th February 2006, 01:10 AM

Out of curiosity, how far up the hilt does the tang go on these dhas?

Andrew · 15th February 2006, 04:18 AM

Not very far, Fearn. Most dha have short, spiked tangs, and these are consistent. Mark did an informal study about this a while ago and there's an old thread in the archives about it.

Mark · 15th February 2006, 05:26 PM

Indeed. You find through tangs very rarely in dha, and I sometimes wonder at their authenticity.

I read in Ferrars & Ferrars' "Burma" that the short tang is used to minimize vibration in the handle when the blade strikes. Andrew has done test cuts on several dha, including a modern custom one which I think has a long tang, so maybe he can comment on whether or not this is true.

galvano · 15th February 2006, 06:23 PM

Ok Ian it is really similar.
From where think that comes it your?
galvano

Ian · 21st February 2006, 07:49 PM

Galvano:

I believe that my sword comes from Northern Thailand/Laos, where many of the "Montagnard" peoples live. Neighboring Vietnam is also a possibility.

Ian.

Mark · 21st February 2006, 07:58 PM

An interesting piece of information possibly pertinent to these swords comes from a comment that the head weapons curator at the Thai National Museum made to our intrepid field operative, Dan Wilke. She said these look a lot like old Thai cavalry polearms.

One wonders if it is a case of derivation, or of convergent evolution. I don't imagine that there is much in the way of cavalry used up in the mountains of Annam, and a longhandled blade has its advantages apart from being able to reach people on the ground from the back of a horse. Still, I have this fantasy of a lost Thai cavalry unit settling down in the highlands and passing down their familiar chopper design to their decendents.

Titus Pullo · 21st February 2006, 09:59 PM

Hi, Andrew! I hope it's alright to call you Andrew. I don't know how to address you...you are probably way older than I am!

Anyway, I've been meaning to ask you for quite sometime now about your wife. You mention quite a few time that your wife know a great deal about northern Thailand culture. Is it, by any chance, she is from northern Thailand?

Andrew · 22nd February 2006, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titus Pullo

Hi, Andrew! I hope it's alright to call you Andrew. I don't know how to address you...you are probably way older than I am!

Anyway, I've been meaning to ask you for quite sometime now about your wife. You mention quite a few time that your wife know a great deal about northern Thailand culture. Is it, by any chance, she is from northern Thailand?

Hi Titus. Please do call me Andrew. I doubt I'm that much older than you. I am much younger and far less experienced than many members here.

My wife does love Thai food, but she is 100% Irish.

14th February 2006, 09:05 PM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,363	Another example. Similar style of wrap on the hilt. Attached Images Last edited by Ian; 14th February 2006 at 11:36 PM.

21st February 2006, 07:49 PM	#6
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,363	Probably Laos Galvano: I believe that my sword comes from Northern Thailand/Laos, where many of the "Montagnard" peoples live. Neighboring Vietnam is also a possibility. Ian.

15th February 2006, 01:10 AM	#2
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	Out of curiosity, how far up the hilt does the tang go on these dhas?

15th February 2006, 04:18 AM	#3
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Not very far, Fearn. Most dha have short, spiked tangs, and these are consistent. Mark did an informal study about this a while ago and there's an old thread in the archives about it.

15th February 2006, 05:26 PM	#4
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	Indeed. You find through tangs very rarely in dha, and I sometimes wonder at their authenticity. I read in Ferrars & Ferrars' "Burma" that the short tang is used to minimize vibration in the handle when the blade strikes. Andrew has done test cuts on several dha, including a modern custom one which I think has a long tang, so maybe he can comment on whether or not this is true.

15th February 2006, 06:23 PM	#5
galvano Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 178	Ok Ian it is really similar. From where think that comes it your? galvano

21st February 2006, 07:58 PM	#7
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	An interesting piece of information possibly pertinent to these swords comes from a comment that the head weapons curator at the Thai National Museum made to our intrepid field operative, Dan Wilke. She said these look a lot like old Thai cavalry polearms. One wonders if it is a case of derivation, or of convergent evolution. I don't imagine that there is much in the way of cavalry used up in the mountains of Annam, and a longhandled blade has its advantages apart from being able to reach people on the ground from the back of a horse. Still, I have this fantasy of a lost Thai cavalry unit settling down in the highlands and passing down their familiar chopper design to their decendents.

21st February 2006, 09:59 PM	#8
Titus Pullo Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 123	Hi, Andrew! I hope it's alright to call you Andrew. I don't know how to address you...you are probably way older than I am! Anyway, I've been meaning to ask you for quite sometime now about your wife. You mention quite a few time that your wife know a great deal about northern Thailand culture. Is it, by any chance, she is from northern Thailand?