Bhutan sword, or Patang

ferguson

ferguson

Joined
Feb 21, 2001
Messages
4,238
Received today a beautiful sword from Yangdu, called a Bhutan sword, or Patang. This is a short sword from the country of Bhutan, that has shown up just a very few times before. Here are the specs.

Length overall 21 1/2"
Blade length 13 3/8"
Weight 2lb. 6 oz or 38 ounces
Spine thickness 3/8" until 3 1/2" from tip where it tapers to 5/16"
Maximum blade width 2 1/4"
Balance point 1 1/2" in front of guard.
Chiruwa tang with 3 rivets

This is one massive piece of steel! When held one handed just behind the guard, the sword is quick and moves well. Slipping your hand back to the narrow spot just before the swelled pommel gives more reach and more chopping ability. And let me tell you, I wouldn't be afraid to chop with this sword. It is a beast. The blade is "sword sharp" as received, and a few swipes of a ceramic rod (thanks Aardvark) and a stropping had it is slicing paper. No belt grinder required.

The markings are very tastefully done. On one side is U. B. and underneath, the Devangari. On the reverse side is Bura's crescent moon and H I in Devangari. No L.B. in english. It looks much better.

The guard is plain steel, with few file and no hammer marks. Bura had to cut a slot in the guard large enough for the pommel to go through. One side of the slot is visible outside the brass ferrule. Bura filled it with epoxy. Not elegant, but very functional.

The wood of the hilt is a red colored wood with incredible grain. It has flame, meaning that when you move the sword, the pattern in the grain changes, like it's translucent. I can't wait to do some woodchucking on this!

The scabbard fits very well. It is covered with high grade burgundy colored leather. The leather has some grain to it, and the color is deep, not gaudy. The only functional problem with the scabbard is that the frog sits too low, allowing the heavy hilt to fall outwards. Putting the frog near the mouth of the scabbard would prevent this. I'll just lace a piece of leather around the belt loop and the scabbard, and all will be well.

This is an outstanding piece of work. I hope more become available.

Munk, I can just picture a Bhutanese Yak herder standing on a ridge above the river with this sword in his hand shouting "My God, life is cheap out here on the Puna Tsang Chhu!"

Thank you Yangdu!

Steve Ferguson

attachment.php


attachment.php


attachment.php
 

Attachments

  • patang-overall.jpg
    patang-overall.jpg
    98.3 KB · Views: 1,123
  • Patang-hilt.jpg
    Patang-hilt.jpg
    76.4 KB · Views: 683
  • Patang-Stump.jpg
    Patang-Stump.jpg
    88.8 KB · Views: 697
Great pics Steve. Thanks for putting them up :thumbup:

Do I see a certain elegance here? Or is it the cowboy coffee?
 
OMG, Steve, that thing is beautiful :eek:

Lookit the wood! How cool is THAT!


Ad Astra :thumbup: :eek: :thumbup:
 
Mr Ferguson,
Sweet...When ya gonna send it over?? I need a new knife to use as a pattern and that one certainly qualify's as new:D :D
 
Don't let Spectre see that sword. It fits his ideal description in weight and length. He IS a trained killer. We only pray that he doesn't snap one day.




Lovely.
 
Hi Steve:

What possible purpose would that knive be suited for other hanging on the wall?
 
Well, Kis, you're right: that is pretty close to my ideal, so maybe I can also speak to Steve (Poll)'s question as to practicality.

We live in an age of firearms, so large manual weapons, while not totally without purpose, have diminishing returns. Carrying a large battle sword is pointless, when someone carrying a carbine or shotgun can stop you before you engage. I believe that the largest practical sword in today's world will be almost exactly this size. It should have a handle that one can wield with one or both hands, and it should be large enough to strike powerfully, but not weigh more than a decent-sized handgun- because, after all, this sword will really be a "sidearm". Remember, if you will, the man last year who used a cheap knife to defend himself at close range in Iraq.

This sword looks about like that piece. It's sturdy enough to actually do work with. It's powerful enough that it will quickly end an conflict at close range, yet small enough to pack or use indoors.

This isn't quite my ultimate modern sword, but it's close enough that I'll probably be willing to settle for this one for the next 8 years, or maybe the rest of my life.

John
 
Thanks for the outstanding review Steve! Add a new one to my ever growing list: 18" BDC, 15" Pen, 18" katunje, an ultimate fighter, an 18" BDC, and now this one! (Did I mention an 18" BDC? :D )

As to praticality, I love my tibetan sword and napoleon swords, and didn't stop to think about how useful they would be when I bought them, but this one is short and handy enough to do some serious all around work as well. I love the handle design, and 38 oz. makes it a nice size.

I guess I'll get in line and keep my fingers crossed that more of coming!

On the handle, would you say it's a version of chandan? Looks something like it, but that translucent effect makes it something unusual.

Thanks again for the intro to the new model Steve.

Norm
 
Hi John
Your explaination strikes true with me. It is a great looking weapon and I accept your points about it's fighting abilities.

Trying to think it through from my point of view I come up with the following:
1. Yes, it's a beautiful knife. Anyone would love to own it.
2. Fighting with it would be difficult because of it's size and weight.
3. Assuming you are able to conceal it until attacked, what then?
4. If you are legaly allowed to carry this fine large sword you must surely be allowed to carry a handgun which is the only real answer to a life threatening situation. If you are carrying this big knife illegaly, why not carry a handgun illegally? Penalties must be the same if caught.

I enjoy your reasoning on these topics, John. What have I missed?
 
Steve Poll said:
Hi John
Your explaination strikes true with me. It is a great looking weapon and I accept your points about it's fighting abilities.

Trying to think it through from my point of view I come up with the following:
1. Yes, it's a beautiful knife. Anyone would love to own it.
2. Fighting with it would be difficult because of it's size and weight.
3. Assuming you are able to conceal it until attacked, what then?
4. If you are legaly allowed to carry this fine large sword you must surely be allowed to carry a handgun which is the only real answer to a life threatening situation. If you are carrying this big knife illegaly, why not carry a handgun illegally? Penalties must be the same if caught.



I enjoy your reasoning on these topics, John. What have I missed?
Click to expand...

Steve, you are applying logic and reason to sharp things! That just doesn't work for most of us. I don't have a tibetan sword and an uddha and a napolean or 25" chit or whatever for defensive work. Of course I would carry a pistol or fighting knife. Who would carry a monster 38 oz. piece of steel to defend themselves with these days?

We like it because it's hand made and unique and harkens back to an earlier day and totally kicks ass! :thumbup: It's cool in other words.

Trying to apply a solely pragmatic function to justify owning it doesn't really work. Yes, many of HI products can be used day in and day out, but many can't really. They just sit around and look sharp and mean. That's OK with me. :D

And if any zombies do happen to try and break into my rumpus room, well, remember what that guy in "Tremors" said? ;) :D (Anybody up on their movie trivia?)

Regards,

Norm
 
Steve Poll said:
Hi Steve:

What possible purpose would that knive be suited for other hanging on the wall?
Click to expand...

Functional art.:)

I only NEED one khukuri. The 16.5" chiruwa AK that I carry in my trunk is all the khuk I'll ever need. I don't chop wood. The cheap Thai knife with the long wooden handle is the best machete I've ever used for clearing light brush around the yard.

I have many edged weapons, some new, and most antique. I'll never use any of them against a human being unless I was backed into a corner and didn't have a firearm at hand.

A Swiss Army Knife handles 99% of the cutting that I do. Yet I carry a large folder as well. Because I like them.

I wouldn't carry the Patang for bear defense, as it obviously wouldn't work as evidenced by http://asp.isb.sdnpk.org/sanews/search_detail1.asp?newsID_form=933 ;)

So I guess the answer to your question is...
None

Gotta go hang my Patang. :D

Later,

Steve
 
Nice pictures Steve! Great looking weapon also. Yangdu is full of suprises for us these days.:thumbup: :D Great tool to a great guy from a great lady. Good Karma.
 
Steve (Poll), I wasn't really addressing legality. :D

If you can only carry something concealed for defense, a firearm should almost always be it.

I don't really see its size and weight as a disadvantage when fighting with it. It's compact enough to use indoors, and will extend your effective reach by about 2'. No, it won't have as much leverage as a blade 10' longer, but I'm pretty certain that most people, with practice could chop right through a 2" thick dowel with one blow, and you can tell from the profile that this sword will penetrate like the dickens.

If you wanted to carry a large blade, I think this is about the largest somewhat practical size in an age of firearms. No, it wouldn't be a primary weapon (except for those areas in which large blades are legal, but firearms are not. Yes, there are such areas, in both the US and abroad).

There are a few times, even today, when a large blade is the preferred tool. Those most typically ARE in rarified military settings, but I like to keep my options open, y'know? In Viet Nam, a sharpened E-tool (small shovel) was the preferred melee weapon. I think this would be about 3x as effective.

Hope this helps,

John
 
It is a beautiful blade, but seems a bit heavy for something designed purely as a weapon...but what do I know.

I would think that the weight would be there for use as a working tool. It may be a survivalist dream blade.

The workmanship looks great. It sort of reminds me of a giant Arkansas toothpick -- but with lots of class and an Asian touch.
 
Svashtar said:
And if any zombies do happen to try and break into my rumpus room, well, remember what that guy in "Tremors" said? ;) :D (Anybody up on their movie trivia?)

Regards,

Norm
Click to expand...

Broke into the wrong $%^%$#@!
rec. room, didn't you, you BASTARD!
Burt from Tremors
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top