A Massive Dha/Daab With an Unique Blade

Ian · 19th February 2019, 01:28 AM

The coconut chopper function of this one was confirmed by my sources as well. It is interesting to note the detail in the construction of this one and its decorations. These choppers do come in various sizes, although this is the sturdiest one I've seen. It is interesting to note that other chopping tools from the general area of mainland SE Asia can be quite elaborately made and decorated. The example of a Thai pra (attached) has another well made and decorated blade with a plain, business-like shaft.

Charles, you do indeed come up with some interesting examples! Keep them coming ...

Ian.

Nathaniel · 26th February 2019, 04:15 AM

Hello Charles,

Lovely Tai knife. 🐓 Nice iron mounts and massive blade. Rare to find the 1/2 thick blade, but you do see it with some Tai knives and swords. Definitely a functional piece, but extra care put into its construction, which show it was not just a poor farmer's tool, even though primarily used for utility functions. And I'm sure if needed it would make a devastating blow to the flesh and bone!

Regarding your main inquiry, nice pattern weld...certainly looks to me like a large quench zone with an insert edge. That is just my vote. You can clearly see the evidence of the quality of the blade with the round chip, not a "V" cut in the edge towards the tip.

Interesting the decorative pattern at the spine at the forte...I haven't seen that particular pattern before....typically you find horizontal lines =, X's, sometimes dots :, or inset copper or brass square or rectangles. Fun piece, never can say you've seen it all!

Nathaniel · 28th February 2019, 01:55 AM

Just reread and noticed I got my terms switched, I vote wide inset with a thin quenched edge.

kronckew · 28th February 2019, 06:30 AM

Another Thai Pra with a decorated blade, steel fittings and a simply decorated hardwood grip emulating the joins on bamboo or a rattan haft.

(the string is looped around the forte to let it hang properly on the wall, not far from my head as I type, as the balance is pretty much at the blade/bolster join.)

Peter Dekker · 2nd March 2019, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nathaniel

Just reread and noticed I got my terms switched, I vote wide inset with a thin quenched edge.

I second that. It looks to me like a piece of higher carbon edge steel with a subtle straight grain inserted in a body of more burl patterned mild carbon steel, the whole then heat treated.

If the line would have been the demarcation of differential heat treatment ( "hamon") then the burl pattern would briefly be exaggerated on that line before fading in to a completely hardened area. The fact that it does not tells us that we're transitioning to a different piece of steel instead.

Peter

CharlesS · 3rd March 2019, 08:30 PM

Thanks for the additional input guys! Good stuff!

Nathaniel · 21st March 2019, 02:59 AM

Hello all, I just came across this unreferenced photo on Mark's Dha Research Index and noticed that these was a knife similar to the one you have Charles. Does anyone know the reference for this photo?

kai · 22nd March 2019, 08:10 PM

Oldman catalog?

19th February 2019, 01:28 AM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,396	The coconut chopper function of this one was confirmed by my sources as well. It is interesting to note the detail in the construction of this one and its decorations. These choppers do come in various sizes, although this is the sturdiest one I've seen. It is interesting to note that other chopping tools from the general area of mainland SE Asia can be quite elaborately made and decorated. The example of a Thai pra (attached) has another well made and decorated blade with a plain, business-like shaft. Charles, you do indeed come up with some interesting examples! Keep them coming ... Ian. Attached Images

26th February 2019, 04:15 AM	#2
Nathaniel Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 865	Hello Charles, Lovely Tai knife. 🐓 Nice iron mounts and massive blade. Rare to find the 1/2 thick blade, but you do see it with some Tai knives and swords. Definitely a functional piece, but extra care put into its construction, which show it was not just a poor farmer's tool, even though primarily used for utility functions. And I'm sure if needed it would make a devastating blow to the flesh and bone! Regarding your main inquiry, nice pattern weld...certainly looks to me like a large quench zone with an insert edge. That is just my vote. You can clearly see the evidence of the quality of the blade with the round chip, not a "V" cut in the edge towards the tip. Interesting the decorative pattern at the spine at the forte...I haven't seen that particular pattern before....typically you find horizontal lines =, X's, sometimes dots :, or inset copper or brass square or rectangles. Fun piece, never can say you've seen it all! Last edited by Nathaniel; 26th February 2019 at 04:46 AM.

28th February 2019, 06:30 AM	#4
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,224	Another Thai Pra with a decorated blade, steel fittings and a simply decorated hardwood grip emulating the joins on bamboo or a rattan haft. (the string is looped around the forte to let it hang properly on the wall, not far from my head as I type, as the balance is pretty much at the blade/bolster join.) Attached Images Last edited by kronckew; 28th February 2019 at 04:04 PM.

21st March 2019, 02:59 AM	#7
Nathaniel Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 865	Hello all, I just came across this unreferenced photo on Mark's Dha Research Index and noticed that these was a knife similar to the one you have Charles. Does anyone know the reference for this photo? Attached Images

28th February 2019, 01:55 AM	#3
Nathaniel Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 865	Just reread and noticed I got my terms switched, I vote wide inset with a thin quenched edge.

3rd March 2019, 08:30 PM	#6
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Thanks for the additional input guys! Good stuff!

22nd March 2019, 08:10 PM	#8
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	Oldman catalog?