My first dharb for comment

Titus Pullo · 12th March 2006, 06:46 AM

Looks like a sweet daab for sweet cutting! I use to have one like that, but the hilt was much better made, with thick brass guard and pomal. I heard that thing can pretty dangerous. I've heard of stories like people getting cut from the shoulder down toward the middle of the breast...typical cutting movement...and in the end the person is left with his shoulder and arm hanging from the side. Ofcourse, he would dead from the shear trauma, and maybe shock!

Valjhun · 12th March 2006, 11:48 AM

Certainly not 5 years old.

There are no engravings on the blade. I think that it was extensively cleaned by the previous owner

. There is still some rust on the blade near the hilt.

I'm attaching better photos.

Andrew · 12th March 2006, 03:01 PM

Ouch. That sure has seen too much grinding/sanding.

Personally, since the blade has been abused so, I would try to polish it out.

What makes you think the blade has been folded?

The blade is typically Thai in profile and, perhaps, our new members Titus and PUFF can confirm this. The handle is a bit unusual in my experience, and I like it. Interesting sword, congratulations.

RSWORD · 12th March 2006, 04:51 PM

While the blade profile may suggest a Thai origin, might I offer the handle shape and materials used might suggest a Vietnamese origin. The way the handle tapers at the end of the grip makes me envision an ivory tusk that may have been there at one time that you sometimes see in Vietnamese Sabers. Also, the use of thick, heavy rattan is a feature found on some Vietnamese two-handers. Philip, I am sure, could add to the features of Vietnamese saber handles. This might be why the handle shape and materials are not seeming common to Thai swords.

Andrew · 12th March 2006, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSWORD

While the blade profile may suggest a Thai origin, might I offer the handle shape and materials used might suggest a Vietnamese origin. The way the handle tapers at the end of the grip makes me envision an ivory tusk that may have been there at one time that you sometimes see in Vietnamese Sabers. Also, the use of thick, heavy rattan is a feature found on some Vietnamese two-handers. Philip, I am sure, could add to the features of Vietnamese saber handles. This might be why the handle shape and materials are not seeming common to Thai swords.

I couldn't put my finger on it, but that's it, Rick! It reminds me of the "Kochin" saber handles Philip spoke about last year at Timonium.

Valjhun · 12th March 2006, 06:27 PM

Thank you all for the wonderfull debate

Andrew, I meant forged not folded, sorry. It is obviously hand made and there are some forging flaws to and it is not machine made blade nor it was cut out from a piece of steel.

How do I polish the blade?

PUFF · 13th March 2006, 07:51 AM

The blade and handle seems a bit strange too me. The round plate with pins in front of ferrule 's uncommon for Dahb. The rattan 's a little thicker than ordinary Darb. And I guessed that the handle might be reconstructed/restored by local maker. Pictures are not very clear but the little black wrapping just before and after rattan grip looks like rattan rings. Rings are Separated hand-made and put on the handle. Then black resinous glue was applied. This means the handle might be made 40+ years ago.

Like horn and tusk, hardwood 's not material for battle sword. The handle could be made for household usage.

May I have another picture for back part of the blade. One picture shows flat back profile with smoothen edges. Is s it tapered or just same thickness up to 3/4 of the blade? Although, the blade seems to be harden and need some polishing. The scratchs suggested that the steel 's fairly hard. I guessed that the material is either old leaf spring or medium carbon steel. IMHO, the blade was made in the post WWII era in Lampang (northern Thailand). It 's also possible that the blade was forged by a smith from another region (look carefully for a possible stamp on the blade) in the mid 20th cent. And the handle might be reconstructed by another maker.

Could you please post colse-up of black wrapping and more picture of back profile of the blade.

12th March 2006, 11:48 AM	#2
Valjhun Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 692	Certainly not 5 years old. There are no engravings on the blade. I think that it was extensively cleaned by the previous owner . There is still some rust on the blade near the hilt. I'm attaching better photos. Attached Images

12th March 2006, 06:46 AM	#1
Titus Pullo Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 123	Looks like a sweet daab for sweet cutting! I use to have one like that, but the hilt was much better made, with thick brass guard and pomal. I heard that thing can pretty dangerous. I've heard of stories like people getting cut from the shoulder down toward the middle of the breast...typical cutting movement...and in the end the person is left with his shoulder and arm hanging from the side. Ofcourse, he would dead from the shear trauma, and maybe shock!

12th March 2006, 03:01 PM	#3
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Ouch. That sure has seen too much grinding/sanding. Personally, since the blade has been abused so, I would try to polish it out. What makes you think the blade has been folded? The blade is typically Thai in profile and, perhaps, our new members Titus and PUFF can confirm this. The handle is a bit unusual in my experience, and I like it. Interesting sword, congratulations.

12th March 2006, 04:51 PM	#4
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,089	While the blade profile may suggest a Thai origin, might I offer the handle shape and materials used might suggest a Vietnamese origin. The way the handle tapers at the end of the grip makes me envision an ivory tusk that may have been there at one time that you sometimes see in Vietnamese Sabers. Also, the use of thick, heavy rattan is a feature found on some Vietnamese two-handers. Philip, I am sure, could add to the features of Vietnamese saber handles. This might be why the handle shape and materials are not seeming common to Thai swords.

12th March 2006, 06:27 PM	#6
Valjhun Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 692	Thank you all for the wonderfull debate Andrew, I meant forged not folded, sorry. It is obviously hand made and there are some forging flaws to and it is not machine made blade nor it was cut out from a piece of steel. How do I polish the blade?

13th March 2006, 07:51 AM	#7
PUFF Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 30 miles north of Bangkok, 20 miles south of Ayuthaya, Thailand Posts: 224	The blade and handle seems a bit strange too me. The round plate with pins in front of ferrule 's uncommon for Dahb. The rattan 's a little thicker than ordinary Darb. And I guessed that the handle might be reconstructed/restored by local maker. Pictures are not very clear but the little black wrapping just before and after rattan grip looks like rattan rings. Rings are Separated hand-made and put on the handle. Then black resinous glue was applied. This means the handle might be made 40+ years ago. Like horn and tusk, hardwood 's not material for battle sword. The handle could be made for household usage. May I have another picture for back part of the blade. One picture shows flat back profile with smoothen edges. Is s it tapered or just same thickness up to 3/4 of the blade? Although, the blade seems to be harden and need some polishing. The scratchs suggested that the steel 's fairly hard. I guessed that the material is either old leaf spring or medium carbon steel. IMHO, the blade was made in the post WWII era in Lampang (northern Thailand). It 's also possible that the blade was forged by a smith from another region (look carefully for a possible stamp on the blade) in the mid 20th cent. And the handle might be reconstructed by another maker. Could you please post colse-up of black wrapping and more picture of back profile of the blade.