Nepalese knives.

Tim Simmons · 19th December 2007, 08:46 AM

No thats all there is and it will be a while before I get them now. So it was, is
a gamble. If it works out I will be a real winner. So untill they arrive, fingers crossed.

Tim Simmons · 28th December 2007, 11:19 AM

I have them now. I will show pictures of one as they are pretty much the same. I just need to add some more turquoise next week, the pieces I have to hand are to small. Forged blades, hollow ground on both sides, good temper. Steel guard, brass chape which has been quite well made with faceted thoughtfully. The metal ring under the guard is steel and made in a way I have not seen before on Nepalese weapons even the most crude Kukri.

One assumes these to be Nepalese but they could come from a vast area as discussed before all the way to Bengal? The materials and decoration could be common to many people. The blade is not tanged through the handle. The shape reminds me more of the handles on some Naga Dao. The Himalayan foot hills are home to many tribal groups. They have been well used and judging by the patina I would say turn of the 19th early 20th century. Somebody has taken great care of the blades. When I have sourced more stone I will have one spare if anybody is interested. Pictures-

Very interesting joint to the scabbard on the concave curve. Although these are not made with great finesse they are not crude and very comfortable to use, typical tribal work.

Tim Simmons · 28th December 2007, 11:35 AM

and handle.

Emanuel · 28th December 2007, 03:56 PM

Very cool knives, Tim!
The blade looks a bit like a sossoun-pata. The motif on the scabbard is similar to some I've seen on "box kothimora", but I haven't yet seen rattan bindings on Nepalese weapons.
What is the thickness of the blades, 1/4" or so?

Emanuel

Lew · 28th December 2007, 04:34 PM

Tim

Those two swords are really nice

they seem to have some age to them with good patina on the scabbards.

Congrats.

Lew

Tim Simmons · 28th December 2007, 05:12 PM

Thanks you chaps. The back is 6mm for the most part but hollow ground so the blade is relatively light. The temper is similar to that of most tulwars and other basic cavalry sabres. I think as the blades are 18" long and the relative light blade they are more like short swords than knives. I will get some more stone sent to me on Wednesday.

spiral · 28th December 2007, 06:20 PM

Nice one Tim, The scabbard construction, motives & indeed rattan binding occur on many Nepali weapons including kukri. Nearly evry Nepali wooden scabbard I have ever seen has the rattan binding.

And such knives/swords turn up in Nepal. It looks Nepalese to me, But I cant say whether or not there made in other parts of the Himalayas or not, though.

Anything made in Nepal seems to be common in the areas of Indian that are peopled by Nepalis at the very least.

Spiral

28th December 2007, 11:19 AM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,844	Other than Nepalese? I have them now. I will show pictures of one as they are pretty much the same. I just need to add some more turquoise next week, the pieces I have to hand are to small. Forged blades, hollow ground on both sides, good temper. Steel guard, brass chape which has been quite well made with faceted thoughtfully. The metal ring under the guard is steel and made in a way I have not seen before on Nepalese weapons even the most crude Kukri. One assumes these to be Nepalese but they could come from a vast area as discussed before all the way to Bengal? The materials and decoration could be common to many people. The blade is not tanged through the handle. The shape reminds me more of the handles on some Naga Dao. The Himalayan foot hills are home to many tribal groups. They have been well used and judging by the patina I would say turn of the 19th early 20th century. Somebody has taken great care of the blades. When I have sourced more stone I will have one spare if anybody is interested. Pictures- Very interesting joint to the scabbard on the concave curve. Although these are not made with great finesse they are not crude and very comfortable to use, typical tribal work. Last edited by Tim Simmons; 28th December 2007 at 11:47 AM.

28th December 2007, 11:35 AM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,844	The blade, and handle.

19th December 2007, 08:46 AM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,844	No thats all there is and it will be a while before I get them now. So it was, is a gamble. If it works out I will be a real winner. So untill they arrive, fingers crossed.

28th December 2007, 03:56 PM	#4
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Very cool knives, Tim! The blade looks a bit like a sossoun-pata. The motif on the scabbard is similar to some I've seen on "box kothimora", but I haven't yet seen rattan bindings on Nepalese weapons. What is the thickness of the blades, 1/4" or so? Emanuel

28th December 2007, 04:34 PM	#5
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Tim Those two swords are really nice they seem to have some age to them with good patina on the scabbards. Congrats. Lew

28th December 2007, 05:12 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,844	Thanks you chaps. The back is 6mm for the most part but hollow ground so the blade is relatively light. The temper is similar to that of most tulwars and other basic cavalry sabres. I think as the blades are 18" long and the relative light blade they are more like short swords than knives. I will get some more stone sent to me on Wednesday.

28th December 2007, 06:20 PM	#7
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Nice one Tim, The scabbard construction, motives & indeed rattan binding occur on many Nepali weapons including kukri. Nearly evry Nepali wooden scabbard I have ever seen has the rattan binding. And such knives/swords turn up in Nepal. It looks Nepalese to me, But I cant say whether or not there made in other parts of the Himalayas or not, though. Anything made in Nepal seems to be common in the areas of Indian that are peopled by Nepalis at the very least. Spiral