False Edge on a Curved Blade?

Stan S. · 30th December 2011, 01:56 AM

Jim,

First of all, I would like to thank you, for your description and comparison of various Indian sword types is probably the most informative post I have read in a long time. It is short, precise, and accurate. Thanks very much!

Also, while I am not looking to start a debate, I was hoping that you would clarify something for me. It seems that you distinguish between sword types based on the blade shape and not the hilt. Perhaps I am wrong for doing quite the opposite - I can see both complete swords and blades being traded between regions, however, I was under an impression that hilts stayed more localized. Of course there is no rule for this but often times an Indian sword can be identified by having an “orissa hilt” or a “rajastani hilt”, etc. based on shape, decorations, and other features indigenous to a specific region. While khanda-type basket hilt is generally thought to predate tulwar hilt (probably because it is derived directly from an old Hindu form), both styles came to be around early 17th century. Around the same time curved blades from the North began filtering into the South of India, while straight spatulate blades from the South failed to gain major popularity in the North. Therefore, would it be wrong to assume that the blades on my examples were either exported from the North or made in the South following Northern style? If you still believe that the common practice was to bring hilts to the blades and not the other way around, I would greatly appreciate it if you could elaborate further.

30th December 2011, 01:56 AM	#9
Stan S. Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Brooklyn, NY USA Posts: 227	Jim, First of all, I would like to thank you, for your description and comparison of various Indian sword types is probably the most informative post I have read in a long time. It is short, precise, and accurate. Thanks very much! Also, while I am not looking to start a debate, I was hoping that you would clarify something for me. It seems that you distinguish between sword types based on the blade shape and not the hilt. Perhaps I am wrong for doing quite the opposite - I can see both complete swords and blades being traded between regions, however, I was under an impression that hilts stayed more localized. Of course there is no rule for this but often times an Indian sword can be identified by having an “orissa hilt” or a “rajastani hilt”, etc. based on shape, decorations, and other features indigenous to a specific region. While khanda-type basket hilt is generally thought to predate tulwar hilt (probably because it is derived directly from an old Hindu form), both styles came to be around early 17th century. Around the same time curved blades from the North began filtering into the South of India, while straight spatulate blades from the South failed to gain major popularity in the North. Therefore, would it be wrong to assume that the blades on my examples were either exported from the North or made in the South following Northern style? If you still believe that the common practice was to bring hilts to the blades and not the other way around, I would greatly appreciate it if you could elaborate further.