Hi shangrila:
The reasons I like the longer one is that it seems to have cleaner lines and looks more like an old weapon that has seen a few campaigns. The blade, with its broad fuller and "solid" look, the elegant Moghul hilt with curved guard and silver koftgari, all strike me as a well constructed original weapon. The blade reminds me of some of the firangi blades of the 17th-18th C, but it could be Indian and it could be wootz. Just an old warrior in good shape and with lots of appeal for me.
The heavily patterned blade on the shorter one is pretty, but to me it looks gaudy. Just doesn't stir my juices like the longer one.
Ian.
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