Dha Dha Dha

Federico · 19th March 2005, 12:19 AM

Thanks for the help Mark. Any tips on dating? This dha was purchased from a collection of blades that was mainly turn of the century, so I had assumed it may be of similar age. So would you think WWII era then?

Ian · 19th March 2005, 04:57 AM

I agree with Mark. The style is definitely Kachin in influence. but just where it comes from is open to question. The decorations on the blade resemble a couple of my 19th C. darb from Thailand (different tips).

This one could date anywhere from about 1850 to 1940. I think it is probably late 19th C. Nice find.

Andrew · 19th March 2005, 05:21 AM

Nice sword, Federico. It reminds me strongly of one owned by RhysMichael. His example has a pattern welded blade. I wonder if your's would benefit from a light etch.

The typology Ian and I started is in desparate need of an updating. I think some of the basic elements remain true, but using it to definitively place a particular sword's origin is optimistic. Mark's site will, I think, prove to be a powerful source for this research, as well-provenanced examples turn up for our consideration.

More data!

Federico · 19th March 2005, 07:58 AM

Ian, thanks for the help. I was wondering if the rest of the pieces that were purchased from ths collection could be used as a sideways way of dating. The Nimcha in the other photo was purchased from this collection, as well as a kris, kampilan, and a couple of bolos. All the Philippine stuff is turn of the century. Though of course the collection is from a WWII vet who was in the Pacific, so maybe he found a whole bunch of old, along with some new. Though all the pieces display similar signs of age/wear, though that may come from being in a single collection for so long.

Andrew, I gotta admit you tempt me with hope of watering, but I tend not to etch non-Philippine weaponry. Just so little knowledge of non-Philippine stuff, dunno what would be appropriate, so Ive been playing it safe and leaving my non-PI stuff alone, conservation but no restoration. Anyways, any concensus amongst the dha crowd about the ethics of etching dha?

Andrew · 20th March 2005, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Federico

Andrew, I gotta admit you tempt me with hope of watering, but I tend not to etch non-Philippine weaponry. Just so little knowledge of non-Philippine stuff, dunno what would be appropriate, so Ive been playing it safe and leaving my non-PI stuff alone, conservation but no restoration. Anyways, any concensus amongst the dha crowd about the ethics of etching dha?

Fred, I think dha benefit from polishing more than etching alone. I've only seen two dha with what I consider true mechanical damascus (both with a random pattern). One is the sword I mentioned above, the other is one RSword sold to me last year, much to my delight!

The benefit of polishing is that, even if not pattern welded, most well made dha blades will demonstrate differential hardening, some with well developed equivalents of hamon and even nie, as Philip Tom just pointed out to me tonight.

19th March 2005, 12:19 AM	#1
Federico Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA Posts: 312	Thanks for the help Mark. Any tips on dating? This dha was purchased from a collection of blades that was mainly turn of the century, so I had assumed it may be of similar age. So would you think WWII era then?

19th March 2005, 04:57 AM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,399	I agree with Mark. The style is definitely Kachin in influence. but just where it comes from is open to question. The decorations on the blade resemble a couple of my 19th C. darb from Thailand (different tips). This one could date anywhere from about 1850 to 1940. I think it is probably late 19th C. Nice find.

19th March 2005, 05:21 AM	#3
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Nice sword, Federico. It reminds me strongly of one owned by RhysMichael. His example has a pattern welded blade. I wonder if your's would benefit from a light etch. The typology Ian and I started is in desparate need of an updating. I think some of the basic elements remain true, but using it to definitively place a particular sword's origin is optimistic. Mark's site will, I think, prove to be a powerful source for this research, as well-provenanced examples turn up for our consideration. More data!

19th March 2005, 07:58 AM	#4
Federico Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA Posts: 312	Ian, thanks for the help. I was wondering if the rest of the pieces that were purchased from ths collection could be used as a sideways way of dating. The Nimcha in the other photo was purchased from this collection, as well as a kris, kampilan, and a couple of bolos. All the Philippine stuff is turn of the century. Though of course the collection is from a WWII vet who was in the Pacific, so maybe he found a whole bunch of old, along with some new. Though all the pieces display similar signs of age/wear, though that may come from being in a single collection for so long. Andrew, I gotta admit you tempt me with hope of watering, but I tend not to etch non-Philippine weaponry. Just so little knowledge of non-Philippine stuff, dunno what would be appropriate, so Ive been playing it safe and leaving my non-PI stuff alone, conservation but no restoration. Anyways, any concensus amongst the dha crowd about the ethics of etching dha?