Forged and cast zaghnal

Timo Nieminen · 15th March 2015, 12:25 AM

Inspired by http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=19668 I thought I'd photograph my zaghnals. Both have modern hafts. One is cast, and I have no reason to think it anything other than a modern tourist zaghnal. The other one is forged, and laminated, with the head inserted into a brass socket. The blade looks like sanmei (three-plate), with what are likely to be iron cheeks thickening the point, welded onto the sides of what is likely a high carbon steel centre. The cheeks appear to be folded, so I guess wrought iron (bloomery iron). Not sure about the centre.

The forged one looks like rather sophisticated construction for a tourist zaghnal, and both sophisticated construction and plain appearance for a parade weapon. So this might be a real fighting zaghnal. It's moderately sharp; this might be a modern refurbishment. Are untouched old forged zaghnals sharp? Sharpness would help it go through textile armour. Tough enough to punch through not-too-thick mild steel with ease, and the sharpness helps a bit with that, too.

The cast one would work as a weapon, if it isn't too brittle (and the slightly bent thrusting spike suggests it isn't), but the same can be said for most things of iron/steel on the end of a stick. Not at all sharp. On the plus side, it comes mounted complete with a way to easily injure yourself.

VANDOO · 15th March 2015, 04:21 PM

I AGREE WITH YOUR ACESSMENT ON THESE TWO. THEY ARE MADE FOR EITHER PROCESSIONAL, PRESENTATION OR TO SELL TO THOSE WHO TRAVEL. THEY ARE A NICE LOOKING PAIR AND CAN BE CONSIDERED ETHINOGRAPHIC FOR THEIR TIME. THESE ARE NOT EASY TO FIND TODAY AND MAKE A VERY NICE DISPLAY ITEM.

15th March 2015, 12:25 AM	#1
Timo Nieminen Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 422	Forged and cast zaghnal Inspired by http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=19668 I thought I'd photograph my zaghnals. Both have modern hafts. One is cast, and I have no reason to think it anything other than a modern tourist zaghnal. The other one is forged, and laminated, with the head inserted into a brass socket. The blade looks like sanmei (three-plate), with what are likely to be iron cheeks thickening the point, welded onto the sides of what is likely a high carbon steel centre. The cheeks appear to be folded, so I guess wrought iron (bloomery iron). Not sure about the centre. The forged one looks like rather sophisticated construction for a tourist zaghnal, and both sophisticated construction and plain appearance for a parade weapon. So this might be a real fighting zaghnal. It's moderately sharp; this might be a modern refurbishment. Are untouched old forged zaghnals sharp? Sharpness would help it go through textile armour. Tough enough to punch through not-too-thick mild steel with ease, and the sharpness helps a bit with that, too. The cast one would work as a weapon, if it isn't too brittle (and the slightly bent thrusting spike suggests it isn't), but the same can be said for most things of iron/steel on the end of a stick. Not at all sharp. On the plus side, it comes mounted complete with a way to easily injure yourself. Attached Images

15th March 2015, 04:21 PM	#2
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	I AGREE WITH YOUR ACESSMENT ON THESE TWO. THEY ARE MADE FOR EITHER PROCESSIONAL, PRESENTATION OR TO SELL TO THOSE WHO TRAVEL. THEY ARE A NICE LOOKING PAIR AND CAN BE CONSIDERED ETHINOGRAPHIC FOR THEIR TIME. THESE ARE NOT EASY TO FIND TODAY AND MAKE A VERY NICE DISPLAY ITEM.