Lew Waldman's Ethnographic Arms & Armour Collection Archive


18 - Bhutanese Dozum Dagger

The 10¾ inch (27.2 cm) single edged blade tapers symmetrically to an acute point and has a tapering spine that is ¼ inch (0.63 cm) thick near the hilt and faces that are gently convex. The hairpin laminated welded composition typical of traditionally made blades from this region is well demarcated. The amber colored sheep horn hilt begins with a brass covered bolster adjacent to an oval brass guard with a beaded edge. The main portion of the hilt is narrowed and octagonal near the guard and widens in the plane of the blade until it terminates with a rounded end. Some stable cracks are present at the end of the hilt following the grain of the horn material; there are also old random scratches on the surface. The dagger is 14¼ inches (36.5 cm) long and weighs 7 1/3 ounces (213 grams). The wooden sheath is covered with brown leather stitched at the back for just over half of its length from the mouth while there is a long nickel silver chape to the tip. The leather is marked by numerous old scuffs and impressions that create more character than distraction. Overall sheathed length is 14½ inches (36.7 cm) with a total weight of 10¾ ounces (311 grams).

Lew's brief forum mention of this dagger


Bhutanese Dozum Dagger hairpin lamination

Bhutanese Dozum Dagger hairpin lamination

Bhutanese Dozum Dagger



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