Unusual Dha

Mark · 27th November 2007, 09:08 PM

Kahnjar1, the first of yours i beautiful. A typical Tai (Shan) blade and scabbard profile, but with decoration in a Lanna style. Compare to this one, a dinosaur in size (40.5 inches/103 cm) compared to the dha hmyaung:

(full page at http://dharesearch.bowditch.us/0072.htm)

Jim McDougall · 27th November 2007, 09:47 PM

The information and knowledge on these by the dha faction here in our forum is truly amazing!! Its great to see such comprehensive input and truly intriguing to see the complexities of these weapons so well identified.
It seems hard to believe that just a decade ago, there was so little material available on these, and the intensive focus on these by Andrew, Mark and the others has produced such a great resource here.

While I confess embarassingly little knowledge on dhas, it is great to know that when questions arise on them, this is the place to be.

Best regards,
Jim

Chris Evans · 28th November 2007, 12:36 AM

Hi Folks,

Jim has said it better than I could, but you lot are very knowledgeable. Great thread!

Cheers
Chris

kahnjar1 · 28th November 2007, 04:51 AM

Hi Gavin,
Thanks for the comments. Age of these is probably best addressed by Mark, but I would have thought the all silver one is mid 20th Cent, and the other perhaps early to mid 20th Cent. They are both in great condition,--- and Mark, thanks also for your kind comments on the Shan one.

I should perhaps take this opportunity to let other members know a bit about me. I have been lurking in the wings for a little while, gleening information, mainly about Dha, but also other blades. Dha are my main interest, and to this end I owe a large debt of gratitude to Mark and his Dha Research Archive, also his patience in direct communication,where his ear has been bent several times! I DO like the term "Dhafia" which seems to be used more often lately. Who's going to design a suitable badge?? I think it fits perfectly!
I am located in Christchurch New Zealand.
Regards Stuart (kahnjar1)

kahnjar1 · 28th November 2007, 06:39 AM

Hi Gavin,
Better angle on that other blade. Sorry about the blueish colour-getting dark here.
Stu

kahnjar1 · 28th November 2007, 06:43 AM

Trying again so you don't need a magnifying glass!!

kahnjar1 · 28th November 2007, 07:08 AM

Gavin has asked for info re these. I believe that we are all still learning and that is half the excitment of collecting.
As has been stated elsewhere there is very little written about these swords that appears in the general marketplace. I have found that if you search there are a number of books which refer (at least in a small way) to Dha swords and Knives.
Apart from the Dha Research Archive which is a real goldmine, try the magnificent catalogue produced by the Macau Museum subsequent to their exhibition of the History of Steel in Eastern Asia. Also there is a book by P & E Lewis entitled Peoples of the Golden Triangle. Detailed information of the various Tribes and profusely illustrated including pics of Dha. Stones Glossary also has reference to Dha, as no doubt have many other publications which I am not aware of.
The web also is worth investigating. Check a site called BURMA ISSUES or just key in the particular Tribes name. Lots of pics and historical info here.

Now to the Climbing Rope earlier in this post. If you can get hold of any old SASH CORD as used in the old type "rise and fall" house windows, it is absolutely ideal for replacing Dha Baldrics as it was of cotton weave, not nylon as in the modern stuff. Not easy to get but try your local house wrecker.
Hope this is of some use.
Stuart

Andrew · 29th November 2007, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

The information and knowledge on these by the dha faction here in our forum is truly amazing!! Its great to see such comprehensive input and truly intriguing to see the complexities of these weapons so well identified.
It seems hard to believe that just a decade ago, there was so little material available on these, and the intensive focus on these by Andrew, Mark and the others has produced such a great resource here.

While I confess embarassingly little knowledge on dhas, it is great to know that when questions arise on them, this is the place to be.

Best regards,
Jim

Thanks for the kind words, Jim. The really knowlegeable dha guys are Mark and Ian. Unfortunately, my research and collecting has taken a back seat to increasing family and career responsibilities. As a result, I'm still but a "padawan".

Best,
Andrew

Jim McDougall · 29th November 2007, 03:47 PM

You're welcome Andrew!
Though I admire your modesty, in my opinion all who participate in the study in focus to further knowledge and comprehensive information on a topic deserve honorable mention. I was remiss in not mentioning Ian by name as his superb knowledge on the dha and so many weapon forms is key in the core of knowledge here on the forum.

As I strongly believe, we are all students here, and the comprehensive knowledge of all of us is our strength!

Our forum rocks!!!

All very best regards,
Jim

Mark · 3rd December 2007, 02:43 PM

Thank you all for the compliments, but objectively I am a mere dilettante. More often than not I find out that something I have said or have been saying is quite wrong.

Being considered "knowledgeable" is a two edged sword (or better, a prakhan daab

). Personally, I feel that my biggest contribution has been my web-site, which collects information from so many sources better-informed than I, and I learn so much from my fellow forumites here and on Antonio's forum. I am very honored that the Dha Research Archive has become an inspiration to so many collectors and researchers.

PS: you reveal yourself at least, khanjar1!

I was wondering if you were over here.

kahnjar1 · 4th December 2007, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark

Thank you all for the compliments, but objectively I am a mere dilettante. More often than not I find out that something I have said or have been saying is quite wrong.

Being considered "knowledgeable" is a two edged sword (or better, a prakhan daab

). Personally, I feel that my biggest contribution has been my web-site, which collects information from so many sources better-informed than I, and I learn so much from my fellow forumites here and on Antonio's forum. I am very honored that the Dha Research Archive has become an inspiration to so many collectors and researchers.

PS: you reveal yourself at least, khanjar1!

I was wondering if you were over here.

Hi Mark,
Stuart from Christchurch NZ. We have emailed quite often over the last 2 years re Dha. Sorry I thought you knew what my "calling card" was. My apologies. I have been a lurker on this site for quite sometime but until now have not been "active".
Check the thread re the very long Dha--Rakhine?? There are some new pics of the beast. I have it now and am in process of restoration as far as is possible. Will post more pics later when finished, but need a bit of Rayskin to restore the grip. Any ideas?
Stuart

Mark · 4th December 2007, 02:28 PM

Oh, I recognized you immediately after you gave that info, Stuart. I made a typo least/last. Sort of a biggie, actually.

I meant the latter (didn't mean to put you on the spot there).

I don't have any ideas about where to get ray skin. Hopefully someone here does. You might check Rich Stein's web site (http://www.geocities.com/alchemyst/nihonto.htm), or send him an e-mail.

Jason Anstey · 5th December 2007, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

Hi Mark,
Stuart from Christchurch NZ. We have emailed quite often over the last 2 years re Dha. Sorry I thought you knew what my "calling card" was. My apologies. I have been a lurker on this site for quite sometime but until now have not been "active".
Check the thread re the very long Dha--Rakhine?? There are some new pics of the beast. I have it now and am in process of restoration as far as is possible. Will post more pics later when finished, but need a bit of Rayskin to restore the grip. Any ideas?
Stuart

Namikawa-heibei is an excellent source for Ray-shin (samegawa) or Samekawa

It is sold in varying grades usually the best grades have very large nodes and symetrical emporor noded,

You can probably go for a lower grade for your restoration. price is from 8,000 - 25,000 yen

http://www.namikawa-ltd.co.jp/cgi-bin/list_e.cgi#27

Service from this company is fantastic

Cheers

Jason

28th November 2007, 06:39 AM	#5
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,809	Added pic Hi Gavin, Better angle on that other blade. Sorry about the blueish colour-getting dark here. Stu Attached Images

28th November 2007, 06:43 AM	#6
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,809	Trying again so you don't need a magnifying glass!! Attached Images

28th November 2007, 07:08 AM	#7
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,809	Dha in General Gavin has asked for info re these. I believe that we are all still learning and that is half the excitment of collecting. As has been stated elsewhere there is very little written about these swords that appears in the general marketplace. I have found that if you search there are a number of books which refer (at least in a small way) to Dha swords and Knives. Apart from the Dha Research Archive which is a real goldmine, try the magnificent catalogue produced by the Macau Museum subsequent to their exhibition of the History of Steel in Eastern Asia. Also there is a book by P & E Lewis entitled Peoples of the Golden Triangle. Detailed information of the various Tribes and profusely illustrated including pics of Dha. Stones Glossary also has reference to Dha, as no doubt have many other publications which I am not aware of. The web also is worth investigating. Check a site called BURMA ISSUES or just key in the particular Tribes name. Lots of pics and historical info here. Now to the Climbing Rope earlier in this post. If you can get hold of any old SASH CORD as used in the old type "rise and fall" house windows, it is absolutely ideal for replacing Dha Baldrics as it was of cotton weave, not nylon as in the modern stuff. Not easy to get but try your local house wrecker. Hope this is of some use. Stuart

27th November 2007, 09:08 PM	#1
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	Kahnjar1, the first of yours i beautiful. A typical Tai (Shan) blade and scabbard profile, but with decoration in a Lanna style. Compare to this one, a dinosaur in size (40.5 inches/103 cm) compared to the dha hmyaung: (full page at http://dharesearch.bowditch.us/0072.htm)

27th November 2007, 09:47 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,589	The information and knowledge on these by the dha faction here in our forum is truly amazing!! Its great to see such comprehensive input and truly intriguing to see the complexities of these weapons so well identified. It seems hard to believe that just a decade ago, there was so little material available on these, and the intensive focus on these by Andrew, Mark and the others has produced such a great resource here. While I confess embarassingly little knowledge on dhas, it is great to know that when questions arise on them, this is the place to be. Best regards, Jim

28th November 2007, 12:36 AM	#3
Chris Evans Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 685	Hi Folks, Jim has said it better than I could, but you lot are very knowledgeable. Great thread! Cheers Chris

28th November 2007, 04:51 AM	#4
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,809	Hi Gavin, Thanks for the comments. Age of these is probably best addressed by Mark, but I would have thought the all silver one is mid 20th Cent, and the other perhaps early to mid 20th Cent. They are both in great condition,--- and Mark, thanks also for your kind comments on the Shan one. I should perhaps take this opportunity to let other members know a bit about me. I have been lurking in the wings for a little while, gleening information, mainly about Dha, but also other blades. Dha are my main interest, and to this end I owe a large debt of gratitude to Mark and his Dha Research Archive, also his patience in direct communication,where his ear has been bent several times! I DO like the term "Dhafia" which seems to be used more often lately. Who's going to design a suitable badge?? I think it fits perfectly! I am located in Christchurch New Zealand. Regards Stuart (kahnjar1)

29th November 2007, 03:47 PM	#9
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,589	You're welcome Andrew! Though I admire your modesty, in my opinion all who participate in the study in focus to further knowledge and comprehensive information on a topic deserve honorable mention. I was remiss in not mentioning Ian by name as his superb knowledge on the dha and so many weapon forms is key in the core of knowledge here on the forum. As I strongly believe, we are all students here, and the comprehensive knowledge of all of us is our strength! Our forum rocks!!! All very best regards, Jim

3rd December 2007, 02:43 PM	#10
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	Thank you all for the compliments, but objectively I am a mere dilettante. More often than not I find out that something I have said or have been saying is quite wrong. Being considered "knowledgeable" is a two edged sword (or better, a prakhan daab ). Personally, I feel that my biggest contribution has been my web-site, which collects information from so many sources better-informed than I, and I learn so much from my fellow forumites here and on Antonio's forum. I am very honored that the Dha Research Archive has become an inspiration to so many collectors and researchers. PS: you reveal yourself at least, khanjar1! I was wondering if you were over here.

4th December 2007, 02:28 PM	#12
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	Oh, I recognized you immediately after you gave that info, Stuart. I made a typo least/last. Sort of a biggie, actually. I meant the latter (didn't mean to put you on the spot there). I don't have any ideas about where to get ray skin. Hopefully someone here does. You might check Rich Stein's web site (http://www.geocities.com/alchemyst/nihonto.htm), or send him an e-mail.