Interesting Yunnan Dagger

[Gavin Nugent]

Interesting sticker Lew, I wonder if it was even hidden in a plain sheath to resemble a simple stick, a wolf in sheeps clothing.
It appears to me to be from the border regions of China, Burma & Laos, a very diverse region.
Similar file designs to the spine are seen on my Hudaidao from this region shown on display in my Gallery page, as I am not permitted to place the link in these pages myself, I'll grab the image of the file work and place it here for reference.

Gav

[Gavin Nugent]

File markings found on my prize pair ;-)

Gav

[Nathaniel]

Originally Posted by freebooter

File markings found on my prize pair ;-)

Gav

Wow, very interesting to see the match of the marking along the spine! And the two hollow dots...so maybe that was suppose to be that way? I had thought that along the spine the hollow round holes had contained inlaid brass dots that had fallen out?! Now seeing both Gavin's piece and yours Lew it makes me wonder?!? Intentional?! or missing brass dots? Love it.

I was thinking before that this piece was more Burmese....granted the same/ related tribes are across both borders...and traded amongst each other. Thanks for sharing the pics, Gavin.

Great knife, Lew! Guess I didn't bid high enough! Nah, well great to see you got it and posted about it! You will have to post some pics once you receive it in the mail!

The multiple fullers reminds me of the one dha you have Gavin...I'll let you do the honors if it suits you As I remember you nicknamed it 'the multi- fuller death dealer'?!?!

[Nathaniel]

You know now that I think about it...The blade shape of the knife is not the norm of what you see for people in the Golden Triangle area...but it does remind me of the same shape of some Hudiedao....not to say this means much...but just an observation....I know it's a stretch.




#s012

[Nathaniel]

Originally Posted by freebooter

File markings found on my prize pair ;-)

Gav

Another idiot observation...the decorative marks on the tip of the upturned flaring guard on your Yunnan Hudeidao remind me of something you see on more of with some Indian pieces??

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by Nathaniel

Another idiot observation...the decorative marks on the tip of the upturned flaring guard on your Yunnan Hudeidao remind me of something you see on more of with some Indian pieces??

To my eye and others more learned do not agree with me, but I think the quillon ends appear more Thai or Vietnamese in design...

On the multi-fullered front Nathaniel, I think this is the piece your draw similarities from, the feather weight fighter.

Gav

[katana]

Hi Lew,
the similarity to a Shula (albeit a straight bladed version) is striking. I have seen several Arabic curved bladed daggers with a very similar 'fullering' pattern......can't find pictures though

Regards David


.

[Nathaniel]

Originally Posted by freebooter

To my eye and others more learned do not agree with me, but I think the quillon ends appear more Thai or Vietnamese in design...

On the multi-fullered front Nathaniel, I think this is the piece your draw similarities from, the feather weight fighter.

Gav

Okay, I found the picture of mine: Similar to Gavin's but his has a inlaid seal in the middle of the blade so 6 fullers compared to 4.

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by Nathaniel

Okay, I found the picture of mine: Similar to Gavin's but his has a inlaid seal in the middle of the blade so 6 fullers compared to 4.

I love these Dha blade Nathaniel and your example is a very nice clean example, true beauties....and in the hand WOW...though look close there is a 7th fuller at the top of the forte and if you add the fullered spine in to the mix that makes for 15 fullers to the whole blade Yours too has another fuller that I think I can see too...If Lews little one has 6 fullers, image what its big brother must have should he still be around ;-)

Andrew, the pain that pair puts me through every time I walk in to my office ,I couldn't ever wish the burden on another, it would not be fair

David, an interesting observation, those Shula are usually good quality knives in the big scheme of things, though I have not yet seen a straight one...interested to see on though and also the fullering pattern you note in other regions too.

Lew, you have an interesting knife there. Simple, functionable and obviously a strong sharp blade of good manufacture. I'd like to see more on the temple like pommel, that is an interesting feature.


Gav

[Andrew]

lol. You have another matched pair of daab I'd be willing to take off your hands as well. Just say the word--I'm there for you, mate.

[Nathaniel]

Originally Posted by freebooter

I love these Dha blade Nathaniel and your example is a very nice clean example, true beauties....and in the hand WOW...though look close there is a 7th fuller at the top of the forte and if you add the fullered spine in to the mix that makes for 15 fullers to the whole blade Yours too has another fuller that I think I can see too...If Lews little one has 6 fullers, image what its big brother must have should he still be around ;-)

Gav, Yup, you are correct there is a thin line fuller towards the spine at the forte. So that would make 5 fullers each side...10 total. There is a very nice false edge that starts at the 1/3 of the way up....wickedly light...one of the best blades I own and it's a longer that normal dha blade at 27 inches. How long is your blade? Unfortunately, mine does not have the original scabbard as yours does.