Tri fullered Kaskara, Tabouka and Kattara help

Iain · 20th May 2011, 02:05 PM

Hi David,

I've got two takouba on hand at the moment that are probable export blades (with takouba it's often hard to tell precisely what's native/export as some of the native blades are darn good quality but the basic dimensions should be the same anyways).

No calipers at the moment but blade widths are 4.5cm and 4.8cm at the base, significantly larger than Charles' piece at roughly 3.8cm. I would call these two typical takouba in the triple fuller pattern. I would caution that due to different production 'runs' and models of these blades none of this may be particularly conclusive in terms of ruling out origin for Charles' blade, but from Charles' description and the photos it does not appear to me his blade has been extensively modified or re profiled. In conjunction with the smaller size I would have difficulty being convinced that this is a modified trade blade, but rather, if European, a pattern made for this market.

I would note that similar fullering exists on some Indian blades as well and of course piso podang are found with straight blades occasionally that seem to be in the same pattern as takouba/kaskara. How relevant that may be I have no idea.

Cheers,

Iain

katana · 20th May 2011, 02:41 PM

Thanks Iain

,
not having a tri-fullered blade to hand, I was not certain as to the usual dimensions of such a blade. Regretfully, I sold my Takouba (3 fullers) a few years ago

so had nothing 'to go on' )

Nevertheless, having the dimensions of the imported blades could prove useful and may give a good indication when compared to native made blades that mimic European blades. It would also be interesting to see if some of the Kattara were supplied with the same 'pattern' of blade.

I also wondered whether such blades were supplied ready to hilt and just needed sharpening....or if the blades were more 'raw' which allowed the locals to profile the blade to have either a double or single edge...and would also be, I assume, cheaper to purchase.

All the best

David

Iain · 20th May 2011, 03:13 PM

No problem David.

I have at any given time ten or so of these things lying around, but I just don't have that many triple fullers around right now. Personally I think you'll find more or less the same tolerances in native blades width wise - perhaps some differences in thickness and of course certainly in flex, stiffness and hardness.

As for how they were supplied - I know a lot of the single fullered kaskara blades were delivered fairly rough in appearance. For takouba it seems the tips were often re profiled and among some groups like the Tuareg the preferred methods of sharpening left very rough surfaces and edges. My impression, which might be wrong, was typically that they'd be delivered with a "factory" edge (meaning a bit blunt). I don't think anyone would claim these were being imported for aesthetics but simply for the steel quality, so a rough finish wouldn't have been a detractor.

Cheers,

Iain

20th May 2011, 02:05 PM	#1
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,708	Hi David, I've got two takouba on hand at the moment that are probable export blades (with takouba it's often hard to tell precisely what's native/export as some of the native blades are darn good quality but the basic dimensions should be the same anyways). No calipers at the moment but blade widths are 4.5cm and 4.8cm at the base, significantly larger than Charles' piece at roughly 3.8cm. I would call these two typical takouba in the triple fuller pattern. I would caution that due to different production 'runs' and models of these blades none of this may be particularly conclusive in terms of ruling out origin for Charles' blade, but from Charles' description and the photos it does not appear to me his blade has been extensively modified or re profiled. In conjunction with the smaller size I would have difficulty being convinced that this is a modified trade blade, but rather, if European, a pattern made for this market. I would note that similar fullering exists on some Indian blades as well and of course piso podang are found with straight blades occasionally that seem to be in the same pattern as takouba/kaskara. How relevant that may be I have no idea. Cheers, Iain

20th May 2011, 02:41 PM	#2
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Thanks Iain , not having a tri-fullered blade to hand, I was not certain as to the usual dimensions of such a blade. Regretfully, I sold my Takouba (3 fullers) a few years ago so had nothing 'to go on' ) Nevertheless, having the dimensions of the imported blades could prove useful and may give a good indication when compared to native made blades that mimic European blades. It would also be interesting to see if some of the Kattara were supplied with the same 'pattern' of blade. I also wondered whether such blades were supplied ready to hilt and just needed sharpening....or if the blades were more 'raw' which allowed the locals to profile the blade to have either a double or single edge...and would also be, I assume, cheaper to purchase. All the best David

20th May 2011, 03:13 PM	#3
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,708	No problem David. I have at any given time ten or so of these things lying around, but I just don't have that many triple fullers around right now. Personally I think you'll find more or less the same tolerances in native blades width wise - perhaps some differences in thickness and of course certainly in flex, stiffness and hardness. As for how they were supplied - I know a lot of the single fullered kaskara blades were delivered fairly rough in appearance. For takouba it seems the tips were often re profiled and among some groups like the Tuareg the preferred methods of sharpening left very rough surfaces and edges. My impression, which might be wrong, was typically that they'd be delivered with a "factory" edge (meaning a bit blunt). I don't think anyone would claim these were being imported for aesthetics but simply for the steel quality, so a rough finish wouldn't have been a detractor. Cheers, Iain