Help with Sword ID

RhysMichael · 22nd August 2006, 01:47 PM

A brave fan
many of these swords are made for the trourist market. Some are not even hardened. But quality swords are still made for use in this region of the world. Its hard to say from a picture which this is ( a tourist sword or a use sword ) Some questions to ask yourself as you look at it:
How tight is the handle to the blade ?
What condition and quality are the wrappings on the handle?
Is the copper at the throat and pommel thick or thin ?
Lastly the thai smiths do have a technique to use a file or cut a nail to demonstrate a hardened well made blade but you may not be comfortable with either of these.

There are several people on this forum who may be able to give you much more information on these swords ( Ian is certainly one of them ) There are also some people who represent companies that make contemporary blades. Hopefully they can add much more to this

I hope this helps

Mark · 22nd August 2006, 08:00 PM

There is a "middle" path, one could say, between pure tourist and a use blade, which is a martial arts blade. This could well be a daab made for use in the Thai martial art muay thai. Swordmaking is still very much a live tradition in Thailand, though there has been an unfortunate tendency to abandon tradition sword-making techniques for newer ones (such as stock removal). Most of the daab in the style of yours that I have seen are made by modern techniques, but whether strictly for tourist trade or for martial arts I cannot say. They certainly have the proper balance for use. Here is an article written by Antonio Cejunior about a visit he made to Aranyik, the sword-making center of Thailand: http://www.arscives.com/bladesign/visit.aranyik.htm
If you want information on daab generally, and pictures of other examples, try the Dha Research Index. Mostly pictures, actually.

Perhaps one of our Thai members can give some insight about where this style comes from (Aranyik is in the south, and there are other sword-making centers in the north, such as Chiang Mai).

PUFF · 23rd August 2006, 12:24 PM

Is this an ellipse mark?

This mark could be related to either Aranyik (central Thailand) or LumPang (Northern Thailand) 's product.

However, the pointy tip on the scabbard 's usually associate with modern Dahb from central Thailand. Also, the rattan works on the scabbard 's are not very neat. It 's likely to be a tourist type from Aranyik. Narrow/untaper spine (2/8" or less) will confirm this. A popular souviner from Ayuthaya (or Bangkok) though

Abravefan11 · 23rd August 2006, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PUFF

Is this an ellipse mark?

Quote:

Originally Posted by PUFF

It 's likely to be a tourist type from Aranyik. Narrow/untaper spine (2/8" or less) will confirm this. A popular souviner from Ayuthaya (or Bangkok) though

Excuse my ignorance, but I'm not sure what you're telling me to look for in reference to the spine. If you don't mind if you could give me a little more explination.

Lee · 23rd August 2006, 03:25 PM

I believe Puff is describing a relatively thin blade which does not taper in thickness from the hilt to the tip.

Abravefan11 · 23rd August 2006, 03:52 PM

The spine definitely tapers. It's much thicker at the handle and tapers to the tip.

Andrew · 23rd August 2006, 04:33 PM

Puff,

Can you tell us anything about the markings we see on the spines of these swords? Any significance to the brass/copper/silver inset slugs?

Thanks,
Andrew

23rd August 2006, 03:52 PM	#6
Abravefan11 Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 7	The spine definitely tapers. It's much thicker at the handle and tapers to the tip. Attached Images

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22nd August 2006, 01:47 PM	#1
RhysMichael Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 520	A brave fan many of these swords are made for the trourist market. Some are not even hardened. But quality swords are still made for use in this region of the world. Its hard to say from a picture which this is ( a tourist sword or a use sword ) Some questions to ask yourself as you look at it: How tight is the handle to the blade ? What condition and quality are the wrappings on the handle? Is the copper at the throat and pommel thick or thin ? Lastly the thai smiths do have a technique to use a file or cut a nail to demonstrate a hardened well made blade but you may not be comfortable with either of these. There are several people on this forum who may be able to give you much more information on these swords ( Ian is certainly one of them ) There are also some people who represent companies that make contemporary blades. Hopefully they can add much more to this I hope this helps

22nd August 2006, 08:00 PM	#2
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	There is a "middle" path, one could say, between pure tourist and a use blade, which is a martial arts blade. This could well be a daab made for use in the Thai martial art muay thai. Swordmaking is still very much a live tradition in Thailand, though there has been an unfortunate tendency to abandon tradition sword-making techniques for newer ones (such as stock removal). Most of the daab in the style of yours that I have seen are made by modern techniques, but whether strictly for tourist trade or for martial arts I cannot say. They certainly have the proper balance for use. Here is an article written by Antonio Cejunior about a visit he made to Aranyik, the sword-making center of Thailand: http://www.arscives.com/bladesign/visit.aranyik.htm If you want information on daab generally, and pictures of other examples, try the Dha Research Index. Mostly pictures, actually. Perhaps one of our Thai members can give some insight about where this style comes from (Aranyik is in the south, and there are other sword-making centers in the north, such as Chiang Mai).

23rd August 2006, 12:24 PM	#3
PUFF Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 30 miles north of Bangkok, 20 miles south of Ayuthaya, Thailand Posts: 224	Is this an ellipse mark? This mark could be related to either Aranyik (central Thailand) or LumPang (Northern Thailand) 's product. However, the pointy tip on the scabbard 's usually associate with modern Dahb from central Thailand. Also, the rattan works on the scabbard 's are not very neat. It 's likely to be a tourist type from Aranyik. Narrow/untaper spine (2/8" or less) will confirm this. A popular souviner from Ayuthaya (or Bangkok) though

23rd August 2006, 03:25 PM	#5
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 932	I believe Puff is describing a relatively thin blade which does not taper in thickness from the hilt to the tip.

23rd August 2006, 04:33 PM	#7
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Puff, Can you tell us anything about the markings we see on the spines of these swords? Any significance to the brass/copper/silver inset slugs? Thanks, Andrew