My first dharb for comment

Mark · 13th March 2006, 06:44 PM

Puff asked one key question I had on my mind, namely the spine width. From the photo it appears fairly thick near the handle. How much does it taper in thickness toward the tip, and how quickly? It is typical to see a 1/3-1/2 cm thinkness to the blade near the handle, which narrows over about the first half of the length down to just a few millimeters. At the tip the thickness is usually little more than that of the edge itself. This is a very characteristic feature of dha/daab. It looks like yours has a pretty good taper.

I hesitated to make a comparison, but the only daab I have handled with this kind of a handle wrap is one of my own which was one made with a uniformly (more-or-less) thick blade, such as you would see in a nihon-to. My blade was clearly home-made and by someone who was not very well-informed about how one should be made -- a bad e-bay purchase

. The uniformly-thick blade makes it very tip-heavy, which is not correct for a daab (the POB on a dha/daab should be just a few inches in front of the grip). It also has the plate attached with four nails.

So, I am glad that Ian has seen others with this kind of wrapping which are "legitimate."

PS: I think the black wrapping on the grip is cord, not rattan, since it is twisted rather than braided.

Valjhun · 13th March 2006, 07:43 PM

The thickness is kind a uniform:
- 6mm at the hilt
- 5mm at the first 1/3
- 4mm at the second third
- 3mm is max
- again 4mm near the tip

Yes the wrapping is cord.

Tim, yours is verry similar, at least the wrapping, to one in my possesion wich is touristic piece I think. It has nothing to do compared with the other one in quality. pls refer to the fotos 2 and 3.

Ian, beautifull pieces!

I like thoose.

Another thing that I've forgot to mention. all the materials of the hilt seems old to me and the clear ratan binding was painted reddish brown sometime, there is still some little pieces of the laquer falling from it.

Titus Pullo · 13th March 2006, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valjhun

The thickness is kind a uniform:
- 6mm at the hilt
- 5mm at the first 1/3
- 4mm at the second third
- 3mm is max
- again 4mm near the tip

Yes the wrapping is cord.

Tim, yours is verry similar, at least the wrapping, to one in my possesion wich is touristic piece I think. It has nothing to do compared with the other one in quality. pls refer to the fotos 2 and 3.

Ian, beautifull pieces!

I like thoose.

Another thing that I've forgot to mention. all the materials of the hilt seems old to me and the clear ratan binding was painted reddish brown sometime, there is still some little pieces of the laquer falling from it.

The one I had swell in the middle, where the widest part of the sword is, that you cut someone (or something) with, instead of being flat like what I've seen on other daabs. Is that typical of Thai daab, I'm wondering?

Mark · 14th March 2006, 01:46 AM

Are you saying that the thickness of the blade was greater in the middle (when you look straight down at the edge, I mean)? I have never seen that in a daab. I have always seen them with a thick spine at the handle, some thicker than others, tapering quickly in the first 1/3 or so of the blade, then more gently to the tip.

I'd like to see photos of yours, if you still have it.

Titus Pullo · 14th March 2006, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Bowditch

Are you saying that the thickness of the blade was greater in the middle (when you look straight down at the edge, I mean)? I have never seen that in a daab. I have always seen them with a thick spine at the handle, some thicker than others, tapering quickly in the first 1/3 or so of the blade, then more gently to the tip.

I'd like to see photos of yours, if you still have it.

Yes, that's what I mean!

13th March 2006, 07:43 PM	#2
Valjhun Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 692	The thickness is kind a uniform: - 6mm at the hilt - 5mm at the first 1/3 - 4mm at the second third - 3mm is max - again 4mm near the tip Yes the wrapping is cord. Tim, yours is verry similar, at least the wrapping, to one in my possesion wich is touristic piece I think. It has nothing to do compared with the other one in quality. pls refer to the fotos 2 and 3. Ian, beautifull pieces! I like thoose. Another thing that I've forgot to mention. all the materials of the hilt seems old to me and the clear ratan binding was painted reddish brown sometime, there is still some little pieces of the laquer falling from it. Attached Images

13th March 2006, 06:44 PM	#1
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	Puff asked one key question I had on my mind, namely the spine width. From the photo it appears fairly thick near the handle. How much does it taper in thickness toward the tip, and how quickly? It is typical to see a 1/3-1/2 cm thinkness to the blade near the handle, which narrows over about the first half of the length down to just a few millimeters. At the tip the thickness is usually little more than that of the edge itself. This is a very characteristic feature of dha/daab. It looks like yours has a pretty good taper. I hesitated to make a comparison, but the only daab I have handled with this kind of a handle wrap is one of my own which was one made with a uniformly (more-or-less) thick blade, such as you would see in a nihon-to. My blade was clearly home-made and by someone who was not very well-informed about how one should be made -- a bad e-bay purchase . The uniformly-thick blade makes it very tip-heavy, which is not correct for a daab (the POB on a dha/daab should be just a few inches in front of the grip). It also has the plate attached with four nails. So, I am glad that Ian has seen others with this kind of wrapping which are "legitimate." PS: I think the black wrapping on the grip is cord, not rattan, since it is twisted rather than braided.

14th March 2006, 01:46 AM	#4
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	Are you saying that the thickness of the blade was greater in the middle (when you look straight down at the edge, I mean)? I have never seen that in a daab. I have always seen them with a thick spine at the handle, some thicker than others, tapering quickly in the first 1/3 or so of the blade, then more gently to the tip. I'd like to see photos of yours, if you still have it.