Interesting Kris for comments

[Bill M]

Hi Kai and others. I have been really enjoying this thread.

I have a few observations. I don't see this being a beheading sword, the blade is light but very well-balanced. I would think it would be a bit of work to quickly cut off a head.

I would also like to see the tang and have a better clamp, but I am concerned about the handle. It already has a crack, and I am concerned the trauma of removing it would break it, though I could be wrong. It is also on very tight, so my usual method of heating the blade would probably crack the handle.

I know the handle is wrong, but do not know what would be better? So replacing this handle might be a problem. If we could arrive at a consensus of what an appropriate handle should look like, maybe I could get a right one made(?)

Could we get some better answers if I clean and stain?

I have one other picture that may provide another clue. The metal that usually goes up into the hilt seems to come out just above the ferrule.