chaps sorry for late response
stats are, blade 19 inchs exactly, grip / handle is 10 inchs long including the pommel plug thingy. Weighs about 450 grams but the scales i was using are a bit dodgy!. Very light thing though. Point of balance is approx 3 inchs from the top of the handle / where blade meets the hilt.
For me the majority of pieces ive seen so far using this type of coral and turquiose for decoration are from Tibet. I wouldnt be at all surprised to find out at least some of this piece came from that area and people. I know its not what you would probably call a museum piece but still a nice interesting thing to me, some pics attached which show the strong expoxy thats been used to set the blade firm again. Who ever did it did a good job as its now rock solid and the repair doesnt stand out.
The hardened edge / temper line is clear to see in the hand but hard to get in the pics. How were the majority of these dha's tempered btw? oil or water quenched? etc? It looks on one side of the blade particularly that its got an inserted harder steel edge. On the other side it looks more like a hamon?
also ref the thick laquered ratan on the grip. Is that common or give any indicator as to where it was made?
thanks for the info chaps / dhafia :-)
apologies the pics arent the best....
oh by the way, also see here another recent one i picked up very cheap, definately a 'fighter', long approx 25 inch blade, has quite a few battle scars, some edge nicks and some blocking dents on the spine, scary sharp aswell, id love any info on which region this example likely originates? thanks for your input.