A Massive Dha/Daab With an Unique Blade

Mercenary · 18th February 2019, 11:35 AM

In this thread
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=24506
it was an utility knife.

ariel · 18th February 2019, 02:05 PM

Perhaps the general forms may be somewhat similar, suggesting common geographic origin ( see Ian’s post), but the size, the sturdiness, the decoration and the complexity of forging of the Charles’ example is not a utility knife. This one is a WEAPON:-)

mariusgmioc · 18th February 2019, 02:40 PM

Without being very familiar with the weapons/tools of the area but judging simply the dimmensions of the blade, I believe this is a tool, more exactly some kind of machete, and not a weapon. Of course, like most of the tools, it could be used as a weapon but because of its weight and fairly short reach would be extremely inefficient. Of course it can deliver devastating blows but that wouldn't make it an effective weapon since in a battle one does not confront an immobile, static, opponent but an adversary constantly moving back and forth.
The presence of decorations cannot be considered a irrefutable proof for being a weapon, as I have seen several machetes of the area, equally richly decorated (Thai Enep machetes).
My two cents...

kronckew · 18th February 2019, 05:45 PM

Looks a lot like a Burmese/Thai coconut harvester's knife. See Mercenary's post above.

Thais and Burmese are Buddhists and, like most of us, do not sacrifice animals. They/we DO kill people who invade or attack them/us tho. I'm sure anyone attacking a man who has one of these and knows how to use it can, like the old Nepali chopping wood with his khukuri who killed the tiger that tried to eat him, use one of these to defend himself against an unskilled opponent.

CharlesS · 18th February 2019, 07:43 PM

Thanks for the input guys!

Ariel, thanks so much for high praise. It is true that I love to find a "twist" in a unique piece.

I can easily see this piece as a tool with only a secondary purpose as a weopn...if at all. That would explain the way it handles almost my necessity as a "cleaver". It would also explain the all business aspect of its construction. We know that some tools from the region are decorated as well. Just think about some of the betel nut cutters we have seen.

The only reason I might want to second guess the moniker of "tool" for this item is the time and effort put into the blade, just as Ariel suggested. I can imagine a much more simply constructed blade doing the job of a chopper or machete.

Ian · 19th February 2019, 01:28 AM

The coconut chopper function of this one was confirmed by my sources as well. It is interesting to note the detail in the construction of this one and its decorations. These choppers do come in various sizes, although this is the sturdiest one I've seen. It is interesting to note that other chopping tools from the general area of mainland SE Asia can be quite elaborately made and decorated. The example of a Thai pra (attached) has another well made and decorated blade with a plain, business-like shaft.

Charles, you do indeed come up with some interesting examples! Keep them coming ...

Ian.

Nathaniel · 26th February 2019, 04:15 AM

Hello Charles,

Lovely Tai knife. 🐓 Nice iron mounts and massive blade. Rare to find the 1/2 thick blade, but you do see it with some Tai knives and swords. Definitely a functional piece, but extra care put into its construction, which show it was not just a poor farmer's tool, even though primarily used for utility functions. And I'm sure if needed it would make a devastating blow to the flesh and bone!

Regarding your main inquiry, nice pattern weld...certainly looks to me like a large quench zone with an insert edge. That is just my vote. You can clearly see the evidence of the quality of the blade with the round chip, not a "V" cut in the edge towards the tip.

Interesting the decorative pattern at the spine at the forte...I haven't seen that particular pattern before....typically you find horizontal lines =, X's, sometimes dots :, or inset copper or brass square or rectangles. Fun piece, never can say you've seen it all!

18th February 2019, 11:35 AM	#1
Mercenary Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Moscow, Russia Posts: 426	In this thread http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=24506 it was an utility knife. Last edited by Mercenary; 18th February 2019 at 12:57 PM.

19th February 2019, 01:28 AM	#6
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,363	The coconut chopper function of this one was confirmed by my sources as well. It is interesting to note the detail in the construction of this one and its decorations. These choppers do come in various sizes, although this is the sturdiest one I've seen. It is interesting to note that other chopping tools from the general area of mainland SE Asia can be quite elaborately made and decorated. The example of a Thai pra (attached) has another well made and decorated blade with a plain, business-like shaft. Charles, you do indeed come up with some interesting examples! Keep them coming ... Ian. Attached Images

26th February 2019, 04:15 AM	#7
Nathaniel Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 865	Hello Charles, Lovely Tai knife. 🐓 Nice iron mounts and massive blade. Rare to find the 1/2 thick blade, but you do see it with some Tai knives and swords. Definitely a functional piece, but extra care put into its construction, which show it was not just a poor farmer's tool, even though primarily used for utility functions. And I'm sure if needed it would make a devastating blow to the flesh and bone! Regarding your main inquiry, nice pattern weld...certainly looks to me like a large quench zone with an insert edge. That is just my vote. You can clearly see the evidence of the quality of the blade with the round chip, not a "V" cut in the edge towards the tip. Interesting the decorative pattern at the spine at the forte...I haven't seen that particular pattern before....typically you find horizontal lines =, X's, sometimes dots :, or inset copper or brass square or rectangles. Fun piece, never can say you've seen it all! Last edited by Nathaniel; 26th February 2019 at 04:46 AM.

18th February 2019, 02:05 PM	#2
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Perhaps the general forms may be somewhat similar, suggesting common geographic origin ( see Ian’s post), but the size, the sturdiness, the decoration and the complexity of forging of the Charles’ example is not a utility knife. This one is a WEAPON:-)

18th February 2019, 02:40 PM	#3
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,906	Without being very familiar with the weapons/tools of the area but judging simply the dimmensions of the blade, I believe this is a tool, more exactly some kind of machete, and not a weapon. Of course, like most of the tools, it could be used as a weapon but because of its weight and fairly short reach would be extremely inefficient. Of course it can deliver devastating blows but that wouldn't make it an effective weapon since in a battle one does not confront an immobile, static, opponent but an adversary constantly moving back and forth. The presence of decorations cannot be considered a irrefutable proof for being a weapon, as I have seen several machetes of the area, equally richly decorated (Thai Enep machetes). My two cents...

18th February 2019, 05:45 PM	#4
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,216	Looks a lot like a Burmese/Thai coconut harvester's knife. See Mercenary's post above. Thais and Burmese are Buddhists and, like most of us, do not sacrifice animals. They/we DO kill people who invade or attack them/us tho. I'm sure anyone attacking a man who has one of these and knows how to use it can, like the old Nepali chopping wood with his khukuri who killed the tiger that tried to eat him, use one of these to defend himself against an unskilled opponent.

18th February 2019, 07:43 PM	#5
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Thanks for the input guys! Ariel, thanks so much for high praise. It is true that I love to find a "twist" in a unique piece. I can easily see this piece as a tool with only a secondary purpose as a weopn...if at all. That would explain the way it handles almost my necessity as a "cleaver". It would also explain the all business aspect of its construction. We know that some tools from the region are decorated as well. Just think about some of the betel nut cutters we have seen. The only reason I might want to second guess the moniker of "tool" for this item is the time and effort put into the blade, just as Ariel suggested. I can imagine a much more simply constructed blade doing the job of a chopper or machete.