Takouba sabres

Tim Simmons · 21st June 2010, 06:57 PM

These are rather nice. The one with the metal pommel I assume is a copper/tin/zinc alloy rather than aluminium? I think the blades look great and I might say; are they really a copy of European forms? I post pictures of mine. Like yours it too has rough/crude look but there is nothing crude about the flexible nature to the slashing ability of the blade. It has been suggested to me that it is in fact a re-worked European blade but as you can see from the pictures, I strongly believe that it is not. I am very lucky to have a club to go with these swords. I was horrified by the price I paid for it, but now I am thinking I did jolly well

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Iain · 21st June 2010, 07:14 PM

Hi Tim, yes the solid hilt is brass. These swords have an amazing feel in the hand. I think they'd have no problem to do the job intended. One can imagine coupled with a swiftly running camel the results would be rather dramatic.

As for your sword... I have no idea what you paid for it, but I'm guessing if you ever get bored with it I can be persuaded take it off your hands for the same or more.

It's really an outstanding piece. As for a reworked European blade... I think there is a tendency to under estimate the amount forging work done natively. There is a tendency when one finds a good quality blade to automatically assign a European attribution - perhaps sometimes a bit hastily. Personally I prefer the native made stuff. More cohesive in my tastes.

Couple of questions about your sword... Any idea from the balance and weight what lies under the leather on the hilt? Metal pommel and grip? I've already encountered a couple of takouba with wood cores for the grips. I'm trying to figure out if it means anything in terms of pinning down tribal and ethnic group.

21st June 2010, 06:57 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	These are rather nice. The one with the metal pommel I assume is a copper/tin/zinc alloy rather than aluminium? I think the blades look great and I might say; are they really a copy of European forms? I post pictures of mine. Like yours it too has rough/crude look but there is nothing crude about the flexible nature to the slashing ability of the blade. It has been suggested to me that it is in fact a re-worked European blade but as you can see from the pictures, I strongly believe that it is not. I am very lucky to have a club to go with these swords. I was horrified by the price I paid for it, but now I am thinking I did jolly well . Attached Images

21st June 2010, 07:14 PM	#2
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,717	Hi Tim, yes the solid hilt is brass. These swords have an amazing feel in the hand. I think they'd have no problem to do the job intended. One can imagine coupled with a swiftly running camel the results would be rather dramatic. As for your sword... I have no idea what you paid for it, but I'm guessing if you ever get bored with it I can be persuaded take it off your hands for the same or more. It's really an outstanding piece. As for a reworked European blade... I think there is a tendency to under estimate the amount forging work done natively. There is a tendency when one finds a good quality blade to automatically assign a European attribution - perhaps sometimes a bit hastily. Personally I prefer the native made stuff. More cohesive in my tastes. Couple of questions about your sword... Any idea from the balance and weight what lies under the leather on the hilt? Metal pommel and grip? I've already encountered a couple of takouba with wood cores for the grips. I'm trying to figure out if it means anything in terms of pinning down tribal and ethnic group.