Dha-Lwe average measurements please

Jens Nordlunde · 18th July 2007, 09:43 PM

Antonio, when we measure in centimetres, they, at least in India, measured in fingers with, being an index finger. An index finger was eight barleycorns, at one place I have seen six corns mentioned. Did they also measure the blades you mention in fingers widh?

Jens

Mark · 20th July 2007, 03:00 AM

I finally took detailed measurements of two of my dha of this style. The first is the one in your first post (DRI #0049; HOS #250).

Blade length: 50 cm
Handle length: 31 cm
Blade Width (height)
at base: 10 mm
at narrowest point (about 8 cm from base): 26 mm
at widest point (essentially at the tip): 40 mm
Spine thickness
at base: 10 mm
at 1/3 length: 4 mm
at 2/3 length: 2.4 mm
1 cm from tip: 1.5 mm

As you can see, the blade taper is very dramatic at first, going from 10 mm to 4 mm over the first 1/3 of the blade, then quite gradual for the rest of the blade.

Then I went kind of crazy and made detailed measurements of the handle sections, noted in the photo below (all measurements are in millimeters).

Mark · 20th July 2007, 03:09 AM

Here are the measurements of the second one (DRI #0066; HOS #248). Another one I have (DRI #0067; HOS #249) has very similar dimensions.

Blade length: 44.7 cm
Handle length: 26.5 cm
Blade width (height)
at base: 26 mm
at narrowest point (about 6.5 cm from base): 22 mm
at widest point (about 34 cm from base): 32
Spine width
at base: 9 mm
at 1/3 length: 4 mm
at 2/3 length: 3 mm
1 cm from tip: 1.5 mm

Again you see very dramatic tapering at first, decreasing by over 50% over the first 1/3 of the blade length, then a much more gradual taper to the very thin tip.

Here are the details of the handle, all measurements in millimeters. NB, the two wider rings within the two silver sections have a triangular cross-section; the 8 mm measurement is of the base.

Antonio Cejunior · 21st July 2007, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark

Here are the measurements of the second one (DRI #0066; HOS #248). Another one I have (DRI #0067; HOS #249) has very similar dimensions.

Blade length: 44.7 cm
Handle length: 26.5 cm
Blade width (height)
at base: 26 mm
at narrowest point (about 6.5 cm from base): 22 mm
at widest point (about 34 cm from base): 32
Spine width
at base: 9 mm
at 1/3 length: 4 mm
at 2/3 length: 3 mm
1 cm from tip: 1.5 mm

Again you see very dramatic tapering at first, decreasing by over 50% over the first 1/3 of the blade length, then a much more gradual taper to the very thin tip.

Here are the details of the handle, all measurements in millimeters. NB, the two wider rings within the two silver sections have a triangular cross-section; the 8 mm measurement is of the base.

Wow Mark

You went overboard with those measurements, both on the blade and on the handle.
Thank you very much

I have in the meantime decided to design my own specs while waiting:

I based it on my Japanese blades experience and then adapted it. Guess that for a 25 inches long blade these specs would be for a very sturdy blade without being too heavy. I would want the handle to be even longer than the 14 inches of the tang.
Would you care to comment on these specs of mine considering it will be receiving a differential heat treatment for a very strong edge and a flexible spine? Thanks

Let me not only thank you once more for the super detailed information but it would be interesting if you folks started to compile this type of information for a couple of different blades of each style of mountings so that maybe we can have some data on a possible standard of proportions of the main parts, such as the handle's pommel (so to speak) and the other end. Same should apply for the scabbards.

I think that perhaps we could find out if there is a pattern in there, some kind of proportion rule. Or if the rules belong to different ethnic groups.

There must be something there...

Edit: Ooops, I did post the 800 pixels size thumbnail. I don't understand why it is showing the 1400 px size

ariel · 21st July 2007, 06:21 AM

Antonio,
Why do you want to custom make one, when for half the price ( I guess) you can get an old and authentic one from e-bay? Most likely, it will even take you less time.

Antonio Cejunior · 21st July 2007, 07:38 AM

Thanks for your concern Ariel.

The reason is simple. I want do use this foreign made dha-lwe and the fact that it has my specifications means I always like to have an active participation on something that will then be mounted the way I want it. It is a designer thing here.
There are many, say... frequencies. One is the collector of Continental South East Asian weaponry, who focuses on Antiques.

That's not my case. That's why

PUFF · 22nd July 2007, 05:35 PM

May I have a couple comments?

Firstly, its tang 's totally wrong (unless it 's designed for practice) The traditional tang should be thick,triangle and not so long tang. It should also be upward to match with blade 's curvature.

Second, Blade's thickness 's quite fatal for its balance. Most of well balance blades of this type are thicker at their base and taper to almost nothing at the point. You can also find proper spine width in Mark's measurement.

Just my 2c

Antonio Cejunior · 21st July 2007, 03:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jens Nordlunde

Antonio, when we measure in centimetres, they, at least in India, measured in fingers with, being an index finger. An index finger was eight barleycorns, at one place I have seen six corns mentioned. Did they also measure the blades you mention in fingers widh?

Jens

Hi Jens,

I was offline until my apartment move started yesterday.
I'm on my laptop only.

I don't really know if they have a special kind of measurement in Thailand. Probably yes because of the connections with China and India, but I wouldn't think the system would be the same.

This blade I have planed for is not to be made in Thailand, however.
That is also why I have asked for measurements to compare with mine.

20th July 2007, 03:09 AM	#3
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	Here are the measurements of the second one (DRI #0066; HOS #248). Another one I have (DRI #0067; HOS #249) has very similar dimensions. Blade length: 44.7 cm Handle length: 26.5 cm Blade width (height) at base: 26 mm at narrowest point (about 6.5 cm from base): 22 mm at widest point (about 34 cm from base): 32 Spine width at base: 9 mm at 1/3 length: 4 mm at 2/3 length: 3 mm 1 cm from tip: 1.5 mm Again you see very dramatic tapering at first, decreasing by over 50% over the first 1/3 of the blade length, then a much more gradual taper to the very thin tip. Here are the details of the handle, all measurements in millimeters. NB, the two wider rings within the two silver sections have a triangular cross-section; the 8 mm measurement is of the base. Attached Images Last edited by Mark; 20th July 2007 at 03:22 AM.

18th July 2007, 09:43 PM	#1
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Antonio, when we measure in centimetres, they, at least in India, measured in fingers with, being an index finger. An index finger was eight barleycorns, at one place I have seen six corns mentioned. Did they also measure the blades you mention in fingers widh? Jens

20th July 2007, 03:00 AM	#2
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	I finally took detailed measurements of two of my dha of this style. The first is the one in your first post (DRI #0049; HOS #250). Blade length: 50 cm Handle length: 31 cm Blade Width (height) at base: 10 mm at narrowest point (about 8 cm from base): 26 mm at widest point (essentially at the tip): 40 mm Spine thickness at base: 10 mm at 1/3 length: 4 mm at 2/3 length: 2.4 mm 1 cm from tip: 1.5 mm As you can see, the blade taper is very dramatic at first, going from 10 mm to 4 mm over the first 1/3 of the blade, then quite gradual for the rest of the blade. Then I went kind of crazy and made detailed measurements of the handle sections, noted in the photo below (all measurements are in millimeters). Attached Images Last edited by Mark; 20th July 2007 at 03:23 AM.

21st July 2007, 06:21 AM	#5
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Antonio, Why do you want to custom make one, when for half the price ( I guess) you can get an old and authentic one from e-bay? Most likely, it will even take you less time.

21st July 2007, 07:38 AM	#6
Antonio Cejunior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Macau Posts: 294	Thanks for your concern Ariel. The reason is simple. I want do use this foreign made dha-lwe and the fact that it has my specifications means I always like to have an active participation on something that will then be mounted the way I want it. It is a designer thing here. There are many, say... frequencies. One is the collector of Continental South East Asian weaponry, who focuses on Antiques. That's not my case. That's why

22nd July 2007, 05:35 PM	#7
PUFF Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 30 miles north of Bangkok, 20 miles south of Ayuthaya, Thailand Posts: 224	May I have a couple comments? Firstly, its tang 's totally wrong (unless it 's designed for practice) The traditional tang should be thick,triangle and not so long tang. It should also be upward to match with blade 's curvature. Second, Blade's thickness 's quite fatal for its balance. Most of well balance blades of this type are thicker at their base and taper to almost nothing at the point. You can also find proper spine width in Mark's measurement. Just my 2c