Bill wrote -
"We need to start the yataghan thread."
OK; here goes.
Who, apart from me, would be interested in a HI yataghan?
Looking at the pix of the King Kobra, I believe Kumar could make a superb yataghan; he's obviously got the skill, he likes the longer, slimmer blades, and he's shown that he's not afraid to experiment.
Let me propose some outline specs, as a basis for discussion;
blade length; 25" or thereabouts
blade thickness; 3/8", tapering to 1/4"
blade width; 1 1/8" at ricasso.
blade profile; does anybody have both (a) a copy of 'The Book Of The Sword' by Richard F Burton (Dover; 1987 reprint of the original, first published 1884), and (b) a scanner? If so, there are pics of the 2 main yataghan styles on page 134.
To try and put it into words; take the King Kobra and flatten out the bend slightly; also move the bend slightly back towards the handle; upsweep the last four to six inches; add a lopsided. asymmetrical khukuri handle whose pommel is bent inwards towards the blade, so that the top of the handle is straight.
By combining both concave and convex in one cutting edge, the yataghan first slices, then shears; in other words, it cuts with augmented mechanical efficiency throughout the entire length of the stroke. As for stabbing, the yataghan is capable of making the 'curved thrust' that so impressed Col Marey and the French army in the mid 19th century; it's the only curved blade with which you can aim a thrust instinctively, instead of having to make forward allowance.
The martial arts possibilities of the yataghan are endless, allowing scope for move and cuts that wouldn't be possible with any other weapon. As a tool, I can see the yataghan being the ultimate machete, allowing the user to cut more foliage with each stroke, therefore proving quicker and less tiring than a conventional configuration. As a thing of beauty and a joy forever; well, as soon as someone posts some pix, you'll be able to see that aspect for yourselves...
Any takers?
"We need to start the yataghan thread."
OK; here goes.
Who, apart from me, would be interested in a HI yataghan?
Looking at the pix of the King Kobra, I believe Kumar could make a superb yataghan; he's obviously got the skill, he likes the longer, slimmer blades, and he's shown that he's not afraid to experiment.
Let me propose some outline specs, as a basis for discussion;
blade length; 25" or thereabouts
blade thickness; 3/8", tapering to 1/4"
blade width; 1 1/8" at ricasso.
blade profile; does anybody have both (a) a copy of 'The Book Of The Sword' by Richard F Burton (Dover; 1987 reprint of the original, first published 1884), and (b) a scanner? If so, there are pics of the 2 main yataghan styles on page 134.
To try and put it into words; take the King Kobra and flatten out the bend slightly; also move the bend slightly back towards the handle; upsweep the last four to six inches; add a lopsided. asymmetrical khukuri handle whose pommel is bent inwards towards the blade, so that the top of the handle is straight.
By combining both concave and convex in one cutting edge, the yataghan first slices, then shears; in other words, it cuts with augmented mechanical efficiency throughout the entire length of the stroke. As for stabbing, the yataghan is capable of making the 'curved thrust' that so impressed Col Marey and the French army in the mid 19th century; it's the only curved blade with which you can aim a thrust instinctively, instead of having to make forward allowance.
The martial arts possibilities of the yataghan are endless, allowing scope for move and cuts that wouldn't be possible with any other weapon. As a tool, I can see the yataghan being the ultimate machete, allowing the user to cut more foliage with each stroke, therefore proving quicker and less tiring than a conventional configuration. As a thing of beauty and a joy forever; well, as soon as someone posts some pix, you'll be able to see that aspect for yourselves...
Any takers?
