'Dha' blade restoration, are they laminated?

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by Atlantia

Gav and Nate,

Um, when you say left 'as is'........
Don't know if you saw my first thread about this blade about 2 years ago? I found it in a box of rusty 'impliments' at some market years and years ago.
It was bent and knocked about to hell.
I managed to straighten it to an acceptable level, and have now almost finished repolishing the surfaces (properly, by hand without altering the profile).
I'm going to try a light etch once the repolish is done.
I know that 'restoring' old blades is contoversial, would you have not done any of the above?

Best
Gene

Gene,

I think what you have done up to here is perfect.

Only my personal opinion...and opinions are like you know what, everyone has one, but I'd refrain from mounting it with a handle...though tentatively speaking, you may come across a period ivory and silver handle one day that may fit perfectly...then I would consider it...
Like I said before, I'd happily display it here at home as is in the cleaned state.

Gav

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by freebooter

Gene,

I think what you have done up to here is perfect.

Only my personal opinion...and opinions are like you know what, everyone has one, but I'd refrain from mounting it with a handle...though tentatively speaking, you may come across a period ivory and silver handle one day that may fit perfectly...then I would consider it...
Like I said before, I'd happily display it here at home as is in the cleaned state.

Gav

That picture is 'pre-cleaned' and just roughly straightened.
It's been repolished now mate.

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by Atlantia

That picture is 'pre-cleaned' and just roughly straightened.
It's been repolished now mate.

Yeah I know from your posts that it is polished, no need to frown, cleaned and polished is ok, it is just the handle I would not make and fit.
I look forward to some images.

Gav

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by freebooter

Yeah I know from your posts that it is polished, no need to frown, cleaned and polished is ok, it is just the handle I would not make and fit.
I look forward to some images.

Gav

Soon mate
I'm 90% through the polish, just need to tidy and etch.
Best
Gene

[Nathaniel]

Here is a good reference of SEA utility blades shapes

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ht=thai+blades

Meed is the general Thai word for knife. It doesn't mean any specific type of knife....for instance you can kitchen knife a meed.

I would say the type of handle that would fit this type of blade would be a wooden or bone/ horn...kind of a rounded point short handle..simple silver ferrule....have to see if I can find a picture....

[Nathaniel]

Here is an example of what I think the handle should look like....sorry it's not a more clear picture...I can't remember where I pulled the image from.

[Nathaniel]

Originally Posted by freebooter

Gene,

I think what you have done up to here is perfect.

Only my personal opinion...and opinions are like you know what, everyone has one, but I'd refrain from mounting it with a handle...though tentatively speaking, you may come across a period ivory and silver handle one day that may fit perfectly...then I would consider it...
Like I said before, I'd happily display it here at home as is in the cleaned state.

Gav

Gene,

I think Gav & I are on the same page here...I think what you have done sounds good...just light polish & etch.

Here is something similar to what I think we are both suggesting...simple yet elegant...this way the focus is on the blade and nothing distracts from it.

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by Nathaniel

Gene,

I think Gav & I are on the same page here...I think what you have done sounds good...just light polish & etch.

Here is something similar to what I think we are both suggesting...simple yet elegant...this way the focus is on the blade and nothing distracts from it.

Very Tastful Nathaniel and well spoken, I like it!!

What do you think Gene?

Gav

[Atlantia]

Nathaniel,
Thats a lovely blade. I've used it as a guide and somewhat straightened the tang on mine (to approximately the same angle).

I do agree with you and Gav that it looks great displayed as you have it.....
But doesn't part of you want to feel the balance with the handle restored?
Swing it around... just a little bit?

Best
Gene

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by Atlantia

Nathaniel,
Thats a lovely blade. I've used it as a guide and somewhat straightened the tang on mine (to approximately the same angle).

I do agree with you and Gav that it looks great displayed as you have it.....
But doesn't part of you want to feel the balance with the handle restored?
Swing it around... just a little bit?

Best
Gene

Go for it Gene, afterall these are just personal opinions and the item is yours.
I'd suggest asking others about using a resin to secure the handle that will keep it tight abnd secure and something that could be heated and removed should you ever desire to display it in the raw again.

Gav

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by freebooter

Go for it Gene, afterall these are just personal opinions and the item is yours.
I'd suggest asking others about using a resin to secure the handle that will keep it tight abnd secure and something that could be heated and removed should you ever desire to display it in the raw again.

Gav

Thats a good idea mate. Something non-permenant.
I've done a light etch, there are clear lamination lines and what looks to be a hardened edge. Can you have a looksee please? (and all other comments are welcome too)

[spiral]

lovely historic blade Atlantia with a clearly tempered edge & some lamination near the edge as well, I expect the patterns could be brought out further to show whether its an inserted laminated edge with softer backning envelope or not. That would be my guess based on the current photos.

This thread shows a later possible related British Indian army style.{or not as the case may be.} that may or may not be of intrest.

linky....

Spiral.