Dha ... Shan ? Northern Thailand ?

Andrew · 22nd July 2008, 05:32 PM

It's not really a question of "normal", David. Swords from this region quite often have long handles. A 2:1 blade:handle ratio is common, and I've seen some with 1:1 ratios.

Some even have handles longer than the blade, but these are really a subset of the form, primarily seen in Laos and the central highlands of Vietnam.

katana · 22nd July 2008, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew

It's not really a question of "normal", David. Swords from this region quite often have long handles. A 2:1 blade:handle ratio is common, and I've seen some with 1:1 ratios.

Some even have handles longer than the blade, but these are really a subset of the form, primarily seen in Laos and the central highlands of Vietnam.

Thanks Andrew,
'normal', on reflection, was not a good choice of word. I am really getting to like Dha's (this is my second one) but, my knowledge on these is 'limited' so please 'bear' with me

This Dha is relatively 'light', but the handle suggested the possibility of two handed use, are these swords often used two handed or does the long handle allows placement of the grip to vary, enough to change the 'balance' characteristics and 'handling' of the Dha ...or a combination of the two?

Thanks David

Andrew · 22nd July 2008, 06:24 PM

No worries, David. Welcome to the "Dafia".

Two-handed use is certainly an option and I'm sure it was utilized from time to time. However, the longer handled forms are typically gripped closer to the guard (blade/handle junction when a guard isn't present) in one hand. As you note, this causes the center of balance to shift back towards the guard creating a light, quick "feeling" sword. The long handle thereby acts as a counterweight to the blade, much as large, heavy pommels on western medieval swords did.

For some more information on the handling characteristics of dha, check out the HOS article here: http://www.arscives.com/historysteel...ea.article.htm

Best,
Andrew

katana · 22nd July 2008, 10:32 PM

Interesting Link....thanks Andrew

Regards Dha-vid

PUFF · 23rd July 2008, 03:25 PM

- It is possible to make a functional sword out of an old file. Most if not all blades from this area were edge quenched.

- The blade itself has been heavily customized by one of its owner.

- Blade doesn't have a define waist area. In combination with triangular tip, they remind me Karen 's personal sword.

- I do agree that the hilt 's Lanna style.

- Blade / hilt ratio is regular for a sword of this age (19C-20C). As Andrew described, the grip area 's close to blade/hilt juction. The left of the hilt end around one's elbow. The grip shouldn't be an all-finger hammer grip. But it feel like gripping with thumb and index fingers. All other fingers are auxiliary.

PUFF · 23rd July 2008, 03:47 PM

IMO: The longer hilt 's not for hanling with both hand. It 's substitution of western bulb pommel, used for sword balancing.

Northern (Lanna) style, practicing.
http://hk.youtube.com/kinglanna

Central Thailand style, sparing.
http://littlenet.seedang.com/stories/3171

katana · 23rd July 2008, 05:43 PM

Hi Puff,
thank you for the information

and the links to the videos

Regards David

22nd July 2008, 05:32 PM	#1
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	It's not really a question of "normal", David. Swords from this region quite often have long handles. A 2:1 blade:handle ratio is common, and I've seen some with 1:1 ratios. Some even have handles longer than the blade, but these are really a subset of the form, primarily seen in Laos and the central highlands of Vietnam.

22nd July 2008, 06:24 PM	#3
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	No worries, David. Welcome to the "Dafia". Two-handed use is certainly an option and I'm sure it was utilized from time to time. However, the longer handled forms are typically gripped closer to the guard (blade/handle junction when a guard isn't present) in one hand. As you note, this causes the center of balance to shift back towards the guard creating a light, quick "feeling" sword. The long handle thereby acts as a counterweight to the blade, much as large, heavy pommels on western medieval swords did. For some more information on the handling characteristics of dha, check out the HOS article here: http://www.arscives.com/historysteel...ea.article.htm Best, Andrew

22nd July 2008, 10:32 PM	#4
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Interesting Link....thanks Andrew Regards Dha-vid

23rd July 2008, 03:25 PM	#5
PUFF Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 30 miles north of Bangkok, 20 miles south of Ayuthaya, Thailand Posts: 224	- It is possible to make a functional sword out of an old file. Most if not all blades from this area were edge quenched. - The blade itself has been heavily customized by one of its owner. - Blade doesn't have a define waist area. In combination with triangular tip, they remind me Karen 's personal sword. - I do agree that the hilt 's Lanna style. - Blade / hilt ratio is regular for a sword of this age (19C-20C). As Andrew described, the grip area 's close to blade/hilt juction. The left of the hilt end around one's elbow. The grip shouldn't be an all-finger hammer grip. But it feel like gripping with thumb and index fingers. All other fingers are auxiliary.

23rd July 2008, 03:47 PM	#6
PUFF Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 30 miles north of Bangkok, 20 miles south of Ayuthaya, Thailand Posts: 224	IMO: The longer hilt 's not for hanling with both hand. It 's substitution of western bulb pommel, used for sword balancing. Northern (Lanna) style, practicing. http://hk.youtube.com/kinglanna Central Thailand style, sparing. http://littlenet.seedang.com/stories/3171

23rd July 2008, 05:43 PM	#7
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Puff, thank you for the information and the links to the videos Regards David