A Silver Khanda
 

Hey everyone, it's me again. I've got a fascinating new acquisition: a silver khanda dating back to 18th Century India. I've been trying to get my hands on one of these for years and I just lucked onto an auction house in Germany a month ago that, shockingly, nobody bid at, thus I managed to get this thing "cheap".

This beautiful sword is 83 cm long with iron ridges, handguard, pommel, and spike, with its grip still wrapped in the original cloth. These metal sections are inlaid with silver for a floral decor. What I find strange about this weapon is that the steel blade has a median ridge traveling along the blade.

A couple more pictures. The blade's tip has some spots on it. Acid damage?

Oh no! I'm so sorry! I thought I was posting in the Discussion Forum! I didn't notice that I was in the wrong section because when I type "VikingSword" on the address bar! Crap!

Hi
You posted it in correct forum
A lovely sword, congratulations and I too had one of these on my wish list for a while, not all that common, mine is in not as good a condition either.
Well done you,
Most I have seen have a median ridge on the blade so you are OK there, the blade looks to be in great condition overall is it Wootz and have you had a chance to etch a small portion to see whats underneath
Regards

ken

Thank you.

I talked to the dealer yesterday and he said that the blade may be made of wootz. I haven't really messed with the metal blade partially because I don't know how and because I don't want to risk damaging such a quality artifact.

So how should I try and etch the blade?

Now that I have this type of sword, I've been wondering something for a while now. Why is it that some khandas (what I personally consider "true khandas" compared to related swords like patissas, firangis, and other types of khandas) have these ridges along the blade that are of uneven sizes? And what about the spike at the end of the of the pommel? Is it actually meant to be a secondary hand hold in battle?

They are there to make the blade stronger, especially if it is a very flexible blade. I have several without it, so they can have it or not, it all depends on how stiff the blade is.
The spike on top of the hilt is, so the sword can be used with two hands.

Hi
If you just search the word etch in the form you will come up with a multitude of threads on how to etch your blade.

Personally i do not like to over clean my swords unless they are v v rusted and need to be rescued from the red devil that rust is.

But the option is yours to make

Regards

ken