Cambodian(?) Dhas

ariel · 12th April 2008, 04:42 AM

Are these truly Cambodian?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA:IT&ih=018
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA:IT&ih=018
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA:IT&ih=018

Emanuel · 12th April 2008, 08:35 PM

Some years ago there was a thread about a Burmese/Thai/Cambodian made katana. The second dha could be one of these. The other two I don't know. The last one looks crude, the top one looks like it's of fair quality, with maybe silver? fittings. I imagined Cambodian and Laotian dhas to be cruder and poorer than Burmese and Thai ones. I'm not sure if this is correct, it's just a feeling.

Where is the dhafia?

kahnjar1 · 13th April 2008, 08:34 AM

Two of these, and one other from the same source are coming to live with me, and when they arrive I will post some better pics. I can tell you that they ALL were sourced in Cambodia by their original owner, during the course of his business there. I also have in my collection, 3 other Dha which are known to have originated in that country. Two have a definate "Tsuba" and probably owe some design origins to Japanese influence, but are DEFINATELY NOT Japanese in origin.
Watch this space for new thread on these when they arrive here.
Regards Stuart

Andrew · 14th April 2008, 02:01 AM

Interesting swords. Congratulations, Khanjar.

I'll be particularly interested to see some better shots. Maybe some macros.

The second one demonstrates wirework consistent with a sword I thought was older. That one looks early 20th century to me.

kahnjar1 · 14th April 2008, 08:41 AM

Hi Guys, thought I would put the 3 that I already have in my collection up for comment.
Will do it in seperate pieces so that comments can be placed against each one without confusion.
This one described as KHMER Late 19th Cent/Early 20th Century.

kahnjar1 · 14th April 2008, 08:45 AM

Also described as KHMER but I wonder if this could possibly be a COCHIN SABER? Just by the blade shape? Also what thoughts on the bamboo wrap? Mark kindly had this on the site on my behalf a while ago, but discussion was inconclusive.

kahnjar1 · 14th April 2008, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

Also described as KHMER but I wonder if this could possibly be a COCHIN SABER? Just by the blade shape? Also what thoughts on the bamboo wrap? Mark kindly had this on the site on my behalf a while ago, but discussion was inconclusive.

Sorry, clicked too fast and forgot the pics!!

kahnjar1 · 14th April 2008, 08:57 AM

This also described as KHMER. Did wonder about YUNNAN for this as general shape is very similar to anothe Yunnan dha I have. Comparative pic herewith also.
Thats it for now. Regards Stuart

Mark · 14th April 2008, 04:41 PM

Its really hard for me to tell from the photos, since I rely a lot on the profile to ID Cambodian dha. The first one looks Lao to me, in the decorative motifs. The second and third I am more inclined to attribute to Cambodia, as the distinctive break in the curve between handle and blade is (I think) visible. Also the last has an upswept tip on the scabbards, which most Cambodian dha seem to have. Ian has several very katana-like dha from Cambodia, as do you I can see, so we can assume that the katana style is fairly common there.

I am aways a bit dubious about the solid cast handles, so I am interested to see details when you get them. I think you are well on your way to becoming a made guy in the Dafia, Stuart.

12th April 2008, 04:42 AM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Cambodian(?) Dhas Are these truly Cambodian? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA:IT&ih=018 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA:IT&ih=018 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA:IT&ih=018

13th April 2008, 08:34 AM	#3
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,728	CAMBODIAN-Probably yes! Two of these, and one other from the same source are coming to live with me, and when they arrive I will post some better pics. I can tell you that they ALL were sourced in Cambodia by their original owner, during the course of his business there. I also have in my collection, 3 other Dha which are known to have originated in that country. Two have a definate "Tsuba" and probably owe some design origins to Japanese influence, but are DEFINATELY NOT Japanese in origin. Watch this space for new thread on these when they arrive here. Regards Stuart

14th April 2008, 08:41 AM	#5
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,728	CAMBODIAN ORIGINS - 1 Hi Guys, thought I would put the 3 that I already have in my collection up for comment. Will do it in seperate pieces so that comments can be placed against each one without confusion. This one described as KHMER Late 19th Cent/Early 20th Century. Attached Images

14th April 2008, 08:45 AM	#6
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,728	CAMBODIAN ORIGINS - 2 Also described as KHMER but I wonder if this could possibly be a COCHIN SABER? Just by the blade shape? Also what thoughts on the bamboo wrap? Mark kindly had this on the site on my behalf a while ago, but discussion was inconclusive.

14th April 2008, 08:57 AM	#8
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,728	CAMBODIAN ORIGINS - 3 This also described as KHMER. Did wonder about YUNNAN for this as general shape is very similar to anothe Yunnan dha I have. Comparative pic herewith also. Thats it for now. Regards Stuart Attached Images

12th April 2008, 08:35 PM	#2
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Some years ago there was a thread about a Burmese/Thai/Cambodian made katana. The second dha could be one of these. The other two I don't know. The last one looks crude, the top one looks like it's of fair quality, with maybe silver? fittings. I imagined Cambodian and Laotian dhas to be cruder and poorer than Burmese and Thai ones. I'm not sure if this is correct, it's just a feeling. Where is the dhafia?

14th April 2008, 02:01 AM	#4
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Interesting swords. Congratulations, Khanjar. I'll be particularly interested to see some better shots. Maybe some macros. The second one demonstrates wirework consistent with a sword I thought was older. That one looks early 20th century to me.

14th April 2008, 04:41 PM	#9
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	Its really hard for me to tell from the photos, since I rely a lot on the profile to ID Cambodian dha. The first one looks Lao to me, in the decorative motifs. The second and third I am more inclined to attribute to Cambodia, as the distinctive break in the curve between handle and blade is (I think) visible. Also the last has an upswept tip on the scabbards, which most Cambodian dha seem to have. Ian has several very katana-like dha from Cambodia, as do you I can see, so we can assume that the katana style is fairly common there. I am aways a bit dubious about the solid cast handles, so I am interested to see details when you get them. I think you are well on your way to becoming a made guy in the Dafia, Stuart.