burmese dha

[RSWORD]

You are correct in that rough rayskin would provide a better grip than polished rayskin. Polished rayskin most often appears on scabbard as opposed to handles. Looking at all the securing nails and the poorly executed seam I doubt this material is the original grip wrap but rather a much later addition executed in a non-traditional way.(rayskin is usually glued down, not tacked down with dozens of nails.)