Nice karabela hitled shamshir

ham · 8th March 2006, 06:35 PM

Ariel,

First off, bravo Wyborowa but if you are going to bring up arak please specify good Turkish raki, the noblest of licorice intoxicants, eh?

Well observed on this sword. The guard however, is not silver, it is cast aluminium or pewter.

The blade is entirely suspect as well-- it may also be cast metal (did anyone think to have the seller put a magnet to it for that amount of money?) or the marks were applied with acid or machine tools.
The grips are absolutely fresh wood, even the rivets show no wear.

The quality of work coming out of Damascus is above this, they are lavishing things both old and new with koftgari and are beginning to get the hilt and scabbard elements right.

This sword was probably made in India or perhaps in E. Europe (sorry for that, Michal.) Wherever a market exists, some enterprising sort will try to fill it, be it Tanjore or Tbilisi.

Emptors must really caveat these days.

Ham

M.carter · 8th March 2006, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ham

Ariel,

The quality of work coming out of Damascus is above this, they are lavishing things both old and new with koftgari and are beginning to get the hilt and scabbard elements right.

Ham

Ofcourse Ham this not to say that all whats coming out of damascus is junk. Some swords there are one piece masterpeices, which sell for $20000+, some are very good, histrically accurate, functional swords. Other, like this one (if its indeed a fake), are simply junk, with cast blades and acid etched marks. I was smart enough to take a magnet with me to Syria, and many blades, like this one, did not attract...

ariel · 9th March 2006, 12:07 AM

BTW, I specifically asked the seller about the blade: he assured me it was real steel, full fighting quality, old etc, etc.

As for Raki, my Greek friends would fight you to the end: Ouzo is the right stuff.
Ever tried Lebanese Arak from Zahle? This is the top, no more arguments, please!!!!!
Personally, I do not like Anise. I am into beer, vodka and Grappa (under whatever name it appears in different countries: Palinka, Tuika, Pisco, Rakijka, Loza, , Chacha... You name it)

ariel · 9th March 2006, 12:19 AM

I am 'thirsty"....

ham · 9th March 2006, 12:47 AM

Glad to see someone did the legwork, thank you Ariel.

Now then as to Ouzo... are you suggesting drinking this and grappa?
I find them most suitable for cleaning the odd Webley or Moisin Nagant.

Now for the Wyborowa and good raki

Cheers

Ham

Rick · 9th March 2006, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ham

Glad to see someone did the legwork, thank you Ariel.

Now then as to Ouzo... are you suggesting drinking this and grappa?
I find them most suitable for cleaning the odd Webley or Moisin Nagant.

Now for the Wyborowa and good raki

Cheers

Ham

Hell , you could run a chainsaw on Ouzo mixed with a little olive oil.

A friend once poured some into an insulated plastic tumbler I had and it actually crazed the plastic surface .

ham · 9th March 2006, 02:52 AM

Thank you for adding your voice to this matter, Rick.
I consider it an important endorsement of the truth.

I hope the new owner of the sword under discussion has something potent on hand. I suspect he is going to need it.

Next up: eggs-- which end does the well-informed individual open first?
Guest lecturer: Jonathan Swift

Ham

ariel · 9th March 2006, 04:28 AM

And now... for something completely different.
Here is another one that just ended.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1
I love Caucasian weapons and always wanted to get a Daghestani sword (not shashka). And here was the one I wanted!
However, I was a bit uncomfortable: the handle did not seem right. Daghestani swords rarely used horn, their pommels usually ended with a carved horse, dog or dragon , and this particular one looked kind of.... new. I contacted the seller and he assured me that it was original. Well....The blade looks overcleaned although there are traces of false damascening within the fullers
What do you think? Did I make a mistake not bidding on the "dream of my life" ?

sabertasche · 9th March 2006, 06:40 AM

Wow guys, I almost bid on that sword! Ever since I joined the forum I've been looking for Eastern stuff and I thought I moight give it a try. I gave up when the bidding went stupid. I also found other "buy it now" blades without the mystery and in better shape with scabbards. I haven't bought them either as I haven't read the books yet to give me an informed decision on what to buy. I can wait...and learn from the forum

Greg

8th March 2006, 06:35 PM	#1
ham Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 190	Ariel, First off, bravo Wyborowa but if you are going to bring up arak please specify good Turkish raki, the noblest of licorice intoxicants, eh? Well observed on this sword. The guard however, is not silver, it is cast aluminium or pewter. The blade is entirely suspect as well-- it may also be cast metal (did anyone think to have the seller put a magnet to it for that amount of money?) or the marks were applied with acid or machine tools. The grips are absolutely fresh wood, even the rivets show no wear. The quality of work coming out of Damascus is above this, they are lavishing things both old and new with koftgari and are beginning to get the hilt and scabbard elements right. This sword was probably made in India or perhaps in E. Europe (sorry for that, Michal.) Wherever a market exists, some enterprising sort will try to fill it, be it Tanjore or Tbilisi. Emptors must really caveat these days. Ham

9th March 2006, 12:07 AM	#3
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	BTW, I specifically asked the seller about the blade: he assured me it was real steel, full fighting quality, old etc, etc. As for Raki, my Greek friends would fight you to the end: Ouzo is the right stuff. Ever tried Lebanese Arak from Zahle? This is the top, no more arguments, please!!!!! Personally, I do not like Anise. I am into beer, vodka and Grappa (under whatever name it appears in different countries: Palinka, Tuika, Pisco, Rakijka, Loza, , Chacha... You name it)

9th March 2006, 12:19 AM	#4
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	I am 'thirsty"....

9th March 2006, 12:47 AM	#5
ham Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 190	Glad to see someone did the legwork, thank you Ariel. Now then as to Ouzo... are you suggesting drinking this and grappa? I find them most suitable for cleaning the odd Webley or Moisin Nagant. Now for the Wyborowa and good raki Cheers Ham

9th March 2006, 02:52 AM	#7
ham Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 190	Thank you for adding your voice to this matter, Rick. I consider it an important endorsement of the truth. I hope the new owner of the sword under discussion has something potent on hand. I suspect he is going to need it. Next up: eggs-- which end does the well-informed individual open first? Guest lecturer: Jonathan Swift Ham

9th March 2006, 04:28 AM	#8
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	And now... for something completely different. Here is another one that just ended. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1 I love Caucasian weapons and always wanted to get a Daghestani sword (not shashka). And here was the one I wanted! However, I was a bit uncomfortable: the handle did not seem right. Daghestani swords rarely used horn, their pommels usually ended with a carved horse, dog or dragon , and this particular one looked kind of.... new. I contacted the seller and he assured me that it was original. Well....The blade looks overcleaned although there are traces of false damascening within the fullers What do you think? Did I make a mistake not bidding on the "dream of my life" ?

9th March 2006, 06:40 AM	#9
sabertasche Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 149	Wow guys, I almost bid on that sword! Ever since I joined the forum I've been looking for Eastern stuff and I thought I moight give it a try. I gave up when the bidding went stupid. I also found other "buy it now" blades without the mystery and in better shape with scabbards. I haven't bought them either as I haven't read the books yet to give me an informed decision on what to buy. I can wait...and learn from the forum Greg