Dha-hmyaung

Robert · 3rd August 2015, 07:13 PM

Ian,
Thank you very much for the photos showing of some of the many different hilt styles that I now know were used on these interesting knives/daggers. As the one that I have acquired looks to originally have had a hilt the seller has described as being made from ivory (though I am starting to believe that it could have just as easily been made of bone) I think it would be best if I replaced it with one made from one of these two materials. If I cannot find a piece of ivory suitable for this at a price that I can afford then bone will be my second choice. My next question is if I were to use ivory, what type would originally have been most commonly used on these? The same question would also apply if I were to use bone. Thank you again for your help.

Best,
Robert

Sajen · 3rd August 2015, 08:13 PM

Hello Robert,

nearly all ivory hilts I have seen were from elephant ivory.

Regards,
Detlef

Nathaniel · 4th August 2015, 06:51 AM

Hello Robert,

Thank you for sharing. That is correct this would have had a straight cylindrical ivory handle probably 4-5 inches long. There are some alternative ivory that knife makers used made out of different plastics. Or you could even look to see if you could use some type of antler, horn or bone. Or even just put some type of wood on there..you could even pick one with a slight yellow tinge to it so it would look like the aged ivory...the lines in the wood might even look like some of the age cracks you see in ivory as well.

ariel · 4th August 2015, 07:15 AM

There is a complete similar " Dha dagger" with bone handle and silver scabbard and pommel on e-bay now for $65.

Unless you wanted to buy an amusement project, I wouldn't see much reason in acquiring a broken thing and investing money and a lot of time to give it a semblance of authenticity. Thai professionals will always do a better job.

My 2 cents.

Robert · 4th August 2015, 05:15 PM

Hello Ariel, I would say the main reason for my acquiring a "broken thing" and investing my money and my time into giving it a semblance of authenticity again is that I would rather have an older example that needs a little work than a shiny new one made for the tourist market. I was also unaware that for someone be able to produce a small round rod shaped price of ivory or bone from a larger unworked piece required them to be born in a particular part of the world just to do an acceptable job of it.

Best,
Robert

ariel · 4th August 2015, 10:38 PM

Wish you luck with your restoration project.

Robert · 5th August 2015, 07:11 AM

Thanks, I'll probably need it.

3rd August 2015, 07:13 PM	#1
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Ian, Thank you very much for the photos showing of some of the many different hilt styles that I now know were used on these interesting knives/daggers. As the one that I have acquired looks to originally have had a hilt the seller has described as being made from ivory (though I am starting to believe that it could have just as easily been made of bone) I think it would be best if I replaced it with one made from one of these two materials. If I cannot find a piece of ivory suitable for this at a price that I can afford then bone will be my second choice. My next question is if I were to use ivory, what type would originally have been most commonly used on these? The same question would also apply if I were to use bone. Thank you again for your help. Best, Robert

3rd August 2015, 08:13 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,274	Hello Robert, nearly all ivory hilts I have seen were from elephant ivory. Regards, Detlef

4th August 2015, 06:51 AM	#3
Nathaniel Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 865	Hello Robert, Thank you for sharing. That is correct this would have had a straight cylindrical ivory handle probably 4-5 inches long. There are some alternative ivory that knife makers used made out of different plastics. Or you could even look to see if you could use some type of antler, horn or bone. Or even just put some type of wood on there..you could even pick one with a slight yellow tinge to it so it would look like the aged ivory...the lines in the wood might even look like some of the age cracks you see in ivory as well.

4th August 2015, 07:15 AM	#4
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	There is a complete similar " Dha dagger" with bone handle and silver scabbard and pommel on e-bay now for $65. Unless you wanted to buy an amusement project, I wouldn't see much reason in acquiring a broken thing and investing money and a lot of time to give it a semblance of authenticity. Thai professionals will always do a better job. My 2 cents.

4th August 2015, 05:15 PM	#5
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello Ariel, I would say the main reason for my acquiring a "broken thing" and investing my money and my time into giving it a semblance of authenticity again is that I would rather have an older example that needs a little work than a shiny new one made for the tourist market. I was also unaware that for someone be able to produce a small round rod shaped price of ivory or bone from a larger unworked piece required them to be born in a particular part of the world just to do an acceptable job of it. Best, Robert

4th August 2015, 10:38 PM	#6
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Wish you luck with your restoration project.

5th August 2015, 07:11 AM	#7
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Thanks, I'll probably need it.