Vietnamese, Burmese, Thai?

Ren Ren · 21st March 2022, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidFriedman

These are 40 inches. Do you think that they would be used in a pair, as are Thai Dha?

I like your question, but I don't have an answer yet. In the North of Vietnam, along the border with China, paired objects are widespread. But I am not sure that the same customs exist in the Northwest of Vietnam, on the border with Laos. This needs to be checked.
I just started to discover this region of Vietnam. This is an amazing place with a huge natural and ethnic diversity. I heard from biologists that in this region there are species of animals and plants typical of the West - for India and Indo-China, for the East - for China and East Asia, and for the North - for Tibet, Mongolia and even Siberia. Also, several dozen small peoples live there, speaking the languages of four or even five large language groups. On our planet, such diversity is probably found only in the Caucasus. But it is still a little explored and hard to reach place, and many discoveries will be made there.

DavidFriedman · 22nd March 2022, 01:37 AM

Sounds like an interesting area. I will try and look it up. Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ren Ren

I like your question, but I don't have an answer yet. In the North of Vietnam, along the border with China, paired objects are widespread. But I am not sure that the same customs exist in the Northwest of Vietnam, on the border with Laos. This needs to be checked.
I just started to discover this region of Vietnam. This is an amazing place with a huge natural and ethnic diversity. I heard from biologists that in this region there are species of animals and plants typical of the West - for India and Indo-China, for the East - for China and East Asia, and for the North - for Tibet, Mongolia and even Siberia. Also, several dozen small peoples live there, speaking the languages of four or even five large language groups. On our planet, such diversity is probably found only in the Caucasus. But it is still a little explored and hard to reach place, and many discoveries will be made there.

kronckew · 22nd March 2022, 01:01 PM

The Thai use of double swords in Krabbi Krabong is a display thing. Real soldiers being sensible, used a single sword and a shield, And wore helmets. They had to contend with archers, not just admiring crowds.

DavidFriedman · 22nd March 2022, 05:29 PM

Excellent point. Perhaps the double saber/sword use could also spill over into non military duels.

I’m more familiar with the Chinese’s paired knives/sabers, and haven’t really seen much of the Thai styles. But yes, showmanship and street performances are a much different animal than battle skills. Good point. Thank you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kronckew

The Thai use of double swords in Krabbi Krabong is a display thing. Real soldiers being sensible, used a single sword and a shield, And wore helmets. They had to contend with archers, not just admiring crowds.

David R · 22nd March 2022, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kronckew

The Thai use of double swords in Krabbi Krabong is a display thing. Real soldiers being sensible, used a single sword and a shield, And wore helmets. They had to contend with archers, not just admiring crowds.

Same for a lot of "Martial Arts" eye catching displays to attract the punters, and something very different when faced with a real threat!

kronckew · 23rd March 2022, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David R

Same for a lot of "Martial Arts" eye catching displays to attract the punters, and something very different when faced with a real threat!

Another common fallacy is that they are 'Two-handed swords'. They are not.
The extra-long grips are to counterbalance the blade. There are a few instances when the addition of the off-hand on the pommel end can be used to add power to a strike, usually when the opponent is already down and the need to counter is less important than forcefully finishing the argument. There are a few that are SO long that they must be used two handed, more like a short pole-arm, but that is a bit unusual.

Ren Ren · 23rd March 2022, 03:33 PM

First and fourth swords from Son La province in Northwestern Vietnam. My friend took this photo with his phone at the Quai Branly Museum in Paris.

kronckew · 23rd March 2022, 04:31 PM

Re: swords in post #1 - Another tit-bit:

Look at the amount of rings on the hilts, shape of the pommels, etc. 2 single 19thc Tonkin sabres, not made as a pair. (lower one looks to be missing its flat guard disc & is fullered & blade is decorated).

They are also too long at 1 metre (40in.) for two handed Thai style.

23rd March 2022, 03:33 PM	#7
Ren Ren Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Russia, Moscow Posts: 368	First and fourth swords from Son La province in Northwestern Vietnam. My friend took this photo with his phone at the Quai Branly Museum in Paris. Attached Images

22nd March 2022, 01:01 PM	#3
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,167	The Thai use of double swords in Krabbi Krabong is a display thing. Real soldiers being sensible, used a single sword and a shield, And wore helmets. They had to contend with archers, not just admiring crowds.

23rd March 2022, 04:31 PM	#8
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,167	Re: swords in post #1 - Another tit-bit: Look at the amount of rings on the hilts, shape of the pommels, etc. 2 single 19thc Tonkin sabres, not made as a pair. (lower one looks to be missing its flat guard disc & is fullered & blade is decorated). They are also too long at 1 metre (40in.) for two handed Thai style.