Unusual Dha

Andrew · 29th November 2007, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

The information and knowledge on these by the dha faction here in our forum is truly amazing!! Its great to see such comprehensive input and truly intriguing to see the complexities of these weapons so well identified.
It seems hard to believe that just a decade ago, there was so little material available on these, and the intensive focus on these by Andrew, Mark and the others has produced such a great resource here.

While I confess embarassingly little knowledge on dhas, it is great to know that when questions arise on them, this is the place to be.

Best regards,
Jim

Thanks for the kind words, Jim. The really knowlegeable dha guys are Mark and Ian. Unfortunately, my research and collecting has taken a back seat to increasing family and career responsibilities. As a result, I'm still but a "padawan".

Best,
Andrew

Jim McDougall · 29th November 2007, 03:47 PM

You're welcome Andrew!
Though I admire your modesty, in my opinion all who participate in the study in focus to further knowledge and comprehensive information on a topic deserve honorable mention. I was remiss in not mentioning Ian by name as his superb knowledge on the dha and so many weapon forms is key in the core of knowledge here on the forum.

As I strongly believe, we are all students here, and the comprehensive knowledge of all of us is our strength!

Our forum rocks!!!

All very best regards,
Jim

Mark · 3rd December 2007, 02:43 PM

Thank you all for the compliments, but objectively I am a mere dilettante. More often than not I find out that something I have said or have been saying is quite wrong.

Being considered "knowledgeable" is a two edged sword (or better, a prakhan daab

). Personally, I feel that my biggest contribution has been my web-site, which collects information from so many sources better-informed than I, and I learn so much from my fellow forumites here and on Antonio's forum. I am very honored that the Dha Research Archive has become an inspiration to so many collectors and researchers.

PS: you reveal yourself at least, khanjar1!

I was wondering if you were over here.

kahnjar1 · 4th December 2007, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark

Thank you all for the compliments, but objectively I am a mere dilettante. More often than not I find out that something I have said or have been saying is quite wrong.

Being considered "knowledgeable" is a two edged sword (or better, a prakhan daab

). Personally, I feel that my biggest contribution has been my web-site, which collects information from so many sources better-informed than I, and I learn so much from my fellow forumites here and on Antonio's forum. I am very honored that the Dha Research Archive has become an inspiration to so many collectors and researchers.

PS: you reveal yourself at least, khanjar1!

I was wondering if you were over here.

Hi Mark,
Stuart from Christchurch NZ. We have emailed quite often over the last 2 years re Dha. Sorry I thought you knew what my "calling card" was. My apologies. I have been a lurker on this site for quite sometime but until now have not been "active".
Check the thread re the very long Dha--Rakhine?? There are some new pics of the beast. I have it now and am in process of restoration as far as is possible. Will post more pics later when finished, but need a bit of Rayskin to restore the grip. Any ideas?
Stuart

Mark · 4th December 2007, 02:28 PM

Oh, I recognized you immediately after you gave that info, Stuart. I made a typo least/last. Sort of a biggie, actually.

I meant the latter (didn't mean to put you on the spot there).

I don't have any ideas about where to get ray skin. Hopefully someone here does. You might check Rich Stein's web site (http://www.geocities.com/alchemyst/nihonto.htm), or send him an e-mail.

kahnjar1 · 5th December 2007, 02:41 AM

No problem Mark. Thought it about time I got vocal about things instead of sitting in the wings. We all have something to offer I think, however small, and the accumulation of knowledge can only be a good thing!
Stuart

Jason Anstey · 5th December 2007, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

Hi Mark,
Stuart from Christchurch NZ. We have emailed quite often over the last 2 years re Dha. Sorry I thought you knew what my "calling card" was. My apologies. I have been a lurker on this site for quite sometime but until now have not been "active".
Check the thread re the very long Dha--Rakhine?? There are some new pics of the beast. I have it now and am in process of restoration as far as is possible. Will post more pics later when finished, but need a bit of Rayskin to restore the grip. Any ideas?
Stuart

Namikawa-heibei is an excellent source for Ray-shin (samegawa) or Samekawa

It is sold in varying grades usually the best grades have very large nodes and symetrical emporor noded,

You can probably go for a lower grade for your restoration. price is from 8,000 - 25,000 yen

http://www.namikawa-ltd.co.jp/cgi-bin/list_e.cgi#27

Service from this company is fantastic

Cheers

Jason

wilked aka Khun Deng · 5th December 2007, 02:16 PM

Gavin et al,
These blades are not uncommon, although the point clipped that much is different, however Andrew mentioned the Kachin, the Chin did also clip their blades.
From a dealer who travels to the Burmese border regularly I learned that these were at one time worn by every male member of the hill tribes in northern Thailand and up into Burma and that you could tell which tribe they were from by the design used on them. Another dealer at another location stated the same even purported to be able to ID some of them by design (doubtful but possible) I have no other documentation to back those statements. Generally they have very poor quality blades, yours is much better than the average.

Including a picture of a Chin knife that I picked up from the one dealer as reference. While the scabbard is an open-faced basket type you can see the similarities in handle design and blade profile. Actually as I think about it there is distinct progression from the silver dha hmyuang through the knifes that Chris and Stuart posted and then to the Chin Basket knife. I wonder if it follows territorial boundaries?

Regards,

Dan

kahnjar1 · 6th December 2007, 02:42 AM

Thanks guys----have managed to locate source of Rayskin locally.
Appreciate all the help.

5th December 2007, 02:16 PM	#8
wilked aka Khun Deng Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Oahu, Hawaii Posts: 166	Some thoughts Gavin et al, These blades are not uncommon, although the point clipped that much is different, however Andrew mentioned the Kachin, the Chin did also clip their blades. From a dealer who travels to the Burmese border regularly I learned that these were at one time worn by every male member of the hill tribes in northern Thailand and up into Burma and that you could tell which tribe they were from by the design used on them. Another dealer at another location stated the same even purported to be able to ID some of them by design (doubtful but possible) I have no other documentation to back those statements. Generally they have very poor quality blades, yours is much better than the average. Including a picture of a Chin knife that I picked up from the one dealer as reference. While the scabbard is an open-faced basket type you can see the similarities in handle design and blade profile. Actually as I think about it there is distinct progression from the silver dha hmyuang through the knifes that Chris and Stuart posted and then to the Chin Basket knife. I wonder if it follows territorial boundaries? Regards, Dan Attached Images

6th December 2007, 02:42 AM	#9
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,809	Problem solved Thanks guys----have managed to locate source of Rayskin locally. Appreciate all the help.

29th November 2007, 03:47 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,589	You're welcome Andrew! Though I admire your modesty, in my opinion all who participate in the study in focus to further knowledge and comprehensive information on a topic deserve honorable mention. I was remiss in not mentioning Ian by name as his superb knowledge on the dha and so many weapon forms is key in the core of knowledge here on the forum. As I strongly believe, we are all students here, and the comprehensive knowledge of all of us is our strength! Our forum rocks!!! All very best regards, Jim

3rd December 2007, 02:43 PM	#3
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	Thank you all for the compliments, but objectively I am a mere dilettante. More often than not I find out that something I have said or have been saying is quite wrong. Being considered "knowledgeable" is a two edged sword (or better, a prakhan daab ). Personally, I feel that my biggest contribution has been my web-site, which collects information from so many sources better-informed than I, and I learn so much from my fellow forumites here and on Antonio's forum. I am very honored that the Dha Research Archive has become an inspiration to so many collectors and researchers. PS: you reveal yourself at least, khanjar1! I was wondering if you were over here.

4th December 2007, 02:28 PM	#5
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	Oh, I recognized you immediately after you gave that info, Stuart. I made a typo least/last. Sort of a biggie, actually. I meant the latter (didn't mean to put you on the spot there). I don't have any ideas about where to get ray skin. Hopefully someone here does. You might check Rich Stein's web site (http://www.geocities.com/alchemyst/nihonto.htm), or send him an e-mail.

5th December 2007, 02:41 AM	#6
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,809	No problem Mark. Thought it about time I got vocal about things instead of sitting in the wings. We all have something to offer I think, however small, and the accumulation of knowledge can only be a good thing! Stuart