Interesting Yunnan Dagger

[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


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[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.

[Gavin Nugent]

Andrew, you would have to be the kindest man I have ever known, wanting to burden yourself with items such as these and to release us from the stress of these in our lives.
I fear if I was to show you the matched pair of 40inch Namphee steel Thai Dha you may go in to meltdown and as the weight of all these will surely be too much...

On another note Andrew, looking at the stacked temple like pommel of Lew's, can you draw any conclusions from its shape?

Gav

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by freebooter

On another note Andrew, looking at the stacked temple like pommel of Lew's, can you draw any conclusions from its shape?

Gav

Hi Gav,

It's one of those Thai elements that, when combined with certain Chinese elements, are characteristic of many weapons from Yunnan.

Otherwise, not sure what you're asking.

Cheers,
Andrew

[Gavin Nugent]

Thanks Andrew,

I thought the six sided 'temple like' pommel may be characterisitc directly related to a specific region/culture/belief rather than just artistic licence when manufactured.
I say this as the maker could simply have added a simple plate to peen the tang over.

Gav

[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.