What sort of steel is this please? (Indian blade)

Philip · 6th February 2009, 02:17 AM

Interesting blade! It actually has a double hairpin, it's on both ends. Do you have a copy of the Met's exhibition catalog "Warriors of the Himalayas" (2006)? There's one Tibetan long backsword (dpa dam) in there with the same type of two-ended hairpin (albeit with finer layering).

As far as I know, the Tibetans and Bhutanese kept doing hairpin well into the 20th cent. JP used to say that the Nepalese tended to drop the use of patternwelds for kooks sometime in the 19th cent, when carriage springs, rail steel, and crucible steel recycled from ag implements became widely available -- high quality material, and easy to forge and harden.

Say, has anyone heard from JP recently? 'Hope he's back to health.

Philip

Atlantia · 6th February 2009, 02:34 PM

Hi Spiral,

I agree with Philip! What an interesting blade. It just goes to show, I've had many a Kuk over the years and I'd never have expected to see such work in the blade.
In fact I am ashamed to say I'd never really thought about pattern welded kuks outside of India.
I guess thats due to growing up with them being commonplace here in the UK and usually made out of old landrover leaf-springs!

And I won't underestimate them because of alloy handles again either!

Can someone please tell me what the advantages of the double hairpin would be in this case?

Or is it simply for show?

Its a very nice weapon Spiral!

Philip:
Thanks mate, I'll d some searches for those

Gene

spiral · 11th February 2009, 03:14 PM

Thanks Phillip, double hairpin ill remember that...

I dont have a copy of the Met's "Warriors of the Himalayas" Have you a scan or photo of the sword by any chance? It would be good to see.

well this blade I am sure is 20th century but probably pre. ww2 I think. I wonder if a Tibetan smith made it, Rather than a Nepalese?

Thanks Gene, it is a fascinating little piece indeed!

Spiral

Philip · 11th February 2009, 04:01 PM

Spiral,
I don't have a scanner yet (on the to-do list that keeps growing like a squash vine in summer!), and at any rate the book is still available. Try Paragon Books in Chicago (they have online catalog) or the Met's publications sales desk (accessible thru their website). Paperboud version is $75 as I recall, well worth the money since it's the only book devoted strictly to the subject of Tibetan arms and armor in any language.

spiral · 11th February 2009, 09:55 PM

Thanks Phillip, Ill see if I can get one flown across the water.

Spiral

6th February 2009, 02:17 AM	#1
Philip Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: California Posts: 1,036	thanx for the pics! Interesting blade! It actually has a double hairpin, it's on both ends. Do you have a copy of the Met's exhibition catalog "Warriors of the Himalayas" (2006)? There's one Tibetan long backsword (dpa dam) in there with the same type of two-ended hairpin (albeit with finer layering). As far as I know, the Tibetans and Bhutanese kept doing hairpin well into the 20th cent. JP used to say that the Nepalese tended to drop the use of patternwelds for kooks sometime in the 19th cent, when carriage springs, rail steel, and crucible steel recycled from ag implements became widely available -- high quality material, and easy to forge and harden. Say, has anyone heard from JP recently? 'Hope he's back to health. Philip

6th February 2009, 02:34 PM	#2
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Hi Spiral, I agree with Philip! What an interesting blade. It just goes to show, I've had many a Kuk over the years and I'd never have expected to see such work in the blade. In fact I am ashamed to say I'd never really thought about pattern welded kuks outside of India. I guess thats due to growing up with them being commonplace here in the UK and usually made out of old landrover leaf-springs! And I won't underestimate them because of alloy handles again either! Can someone please tell me what the advantages of the double hairpin would be in this case? Or is it simply for show? Its a very nice weapon Spiral! Philip: Thanks mate, I'll d some searches for those Gene Last edited by Atlantia; 6th February 2009 at 03:24 PM.

11th February 2009, 04:01 PM	#4
Philip Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: California Posts: 1,036	Don LaRocca, "Warriors of the Himalayas", NY: Metro. Mus. of Art 2006 Spiral, I don't have a scanner yet (on the to-do list that keeps growing like a squash vine in summer!), and at any rate the book is still available. Try Paragon Books in Chicago (they have online catalog) or the Met's publications sales desk (accessible thru their website). Paperboud version is $75 as I recall, well worth the money since it's the only book devoted strictly to the subject of Tibetan arms and armor in any language.

11th February 2009, 03:14 PM	#3
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Thanks Phillip, double hairpin ill remember that... I dont have a copy of the Met's "Warriors of the Himalayas" Have you a scan or photo of the sword by any chance? It would be good to see. well this blade I am sure is 20th century but probably pre. ww2 I think. I wonder if a Tibetan smith made it, Rather than a Nepalese? Thanks Gene, it is a fascinating little piece indeed! Spiral

11th February 2009, 09:55 PM	#5
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Thanks Phillip, Ill see if I can get one flown across the water. Spiral