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Post by ihutch1 on Sept 4, 2020 1:13:39 GMT
I have just received an order from Taksali Kirpan Shastars in a bid to scratch my itch for Indian weapons. I ordered a pulwar, a peshkabz, a katar, and a dhal. The dhal was already in stock, all the other items were made for me. The proprietor, Bikramjit Singh, estimated it would take two months to complete the order and he was spot on, well done. I found Mr. Singh very friendly, and communication was excellent. He replies to messages very quickly. Shipping from India was mixed, on the one hand we ended up waiting quite some time for the courier to send the package (they were worried about it making it through customs), however once it was sent it reached Louisiana in just three days via FedEx. All the items were very well wrapped and packed.
Below is the complete order: The peshkabz is my favorite blade. It feels very right in terms of balance and ergonomics. The blade is well executed with strong, clean lines. The grip is not the prettiest, being constructed of several pieces of bones rather than a single piece, but I have seen many originals made this way too. I may one day replace it with grips made from black buffalo scales. Blade length is 10", overall is 15"
The katar was made to my hand width and fits perfectly, with a nice tight grip. The blade features shikargar (hunting scene) engraving, while the grip has silver work. The steel has very interesting patterning, I am guessing it it made of a folded steel of some type. My only ding against it would be the edges on the side bars could be a little more rounded, and some tool marks can be seen beneath the silvering on the grip bars. Blade length is 10"
The dhal was in stock and I added it to my order on a whim. It is 12" in diameter and features shikargar engraving. It has an antiqued finish of browned steel. The weight on it is excellent. However, the backing and straps are not to my liking (a modern cloth) and I will replace them (with thin goat leather). Another thing to add to my growing list of projects. Now we come to the pulwar. This was the the reason behind the order in the first place; I have been wanting a pulwar based on an original piece to do some cutting with. The sword I received seems well made, it has a nice figure in profile, the lines are generally even and true, the fullers are nice. However, it is far too heavy, coming in at ~1280g. We had talked about a weight of 800-900g and that was agreed to be readily achievable. Unfortunately, it is very overweight. The culprit seems to be lack of distal taper, it starts at 6-7mm and the base and stays constant until the last ten inches of the blade, when it thins greatly.
Blade: 31"
Overall: 36"
PoB: 8" from guard
I should also add; all of the blades came with sheaths included in the price. Those for the knives were great, but the sword scabbard has a slightly off fit at the throat. It was a pleasure to work with Mr. Singh, his prices are fair, and he works quickly, so I think I will give him another chance and order a replacement blade for the pulwar grip (Indian blades are retained with lac, so easy to change), with more emphasis on taper etc. I also look forward to ordering a tegha (his specialty I believe), and a custom chilanum.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2020 1:46:13 GMT
Oh damn those are gorgeous.
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Post by randomnobody on Sept 4, 2020 2:41:59 GMT
Gonna have to give this a proper read later, but the pics look really, really good. Edit: Finally got a chance to read. Pity about the pulwar, that one had me most excited of the lot. Curious about the pesh kabz. What's it weigh? Where's the point of balance? Here's an Afghan choora I've had for a number of years:  This one is about 11.5" overall with a 7.5" blade, weighs something like 7oz, and balances right behind the ferrule/"guard". This one uses several pieces of bone and horn for its grip, as you can see. I have another, larger one that I don't have a photo of handy, but it's 18" overall with a 13" blade and weighs 11oz also balancing right at the "guard" with a single piece of horn either side of the grip, with metal studs decorating the whole. Both very light, fast, nimble stickers. |
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Post by ihutch1 on Sept 4, 2020 5:11:54 GMT
Curious about the pesh kabz. What's it weigh? Where's the point of balance? This one is about 11.5" overall with a 7.5" blade, weighs something like 7oz, and balances right behind the ferrule/"guard". This one uses several pieces of bone and horn for its grip, as you can see. I have another, larger one that I don't have a photo of handy, but it's 18" overall with a 13" blade and weighs 11oz also balancing right at the "guard" with a single piece of horn either side of the grip, with metal studs decorating the whole. Both very light, fast, nimble stickers. Hi Random, The peshkabz is 270g/9.5oz with a 10" blade / 15" overall. It balances right beind the ferrule as on your examples. It really does feel just right, and the grip seems to suit being held in the 'ice-pick' fashion. I'm also in talks with him now about an 18-19" peshkabz  Yes, its a pity about the pulwar blade. However, since the peshkabz/katar were so good, im definitely going to give it another go and just order a bare blade that we can be sure is the right weight. This one might have been overbuilt because I explicitly said I'd be cutting with it. |
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LeMal
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Post by LeMal on Sept 4, 2020 5:35:47 GMT
I must admit I'm curious as to the price you paid for that pulwar. And what you might think of letting the bare blade go for, should you keep the hilt to swap it out.
(I'm thinking that a shortening of the blade to make it a highly curved sort of falchion might be an interesting challenge, and correct some of those problems. Proportionally, if the last ten inches thin, it would effectively add a lot of distal taper.)
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Post by randomnobody on Sept 4, 2020 5:43:09 GMT
Hi Random, The peshkabz is 270g/9.5oz with a 10" blade / 15" overall. It balances right beind the ferrule as on your examples. It really does feel just right, and the grip seems to suit being held in the 'ice-pick' fashion. I'm also in talks with him now about an 18-19" peshkabz Yes, its definitely a pity about the pulwar blade. However, since the peshkabz/katar were so good, im definitely going to give it another go and just order a bare blade that we can be sure is the right weight. This one might have been overbuilt because I explicitly said I'd be cutting with it. They do seem to be made for the icepick grip, edge forward is my preference. I forgot to check how/if your new pesh kabz grip tapers. Mine both widen significantly toward the "pommel" which I think is what makes the icepick grip work. It just feels wrong held the other way. I've had a few people pick mine up, holding it like a regular knife. I've advised them all to "hold it upside-down" and each one seemed to find it much more agreeable. I'm curious if this maker can do other weapons; I'm gonna have to look them up. |
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Post by ihutch1 on Sept 4, 2020 6:16:50 GMT
I forgot to check how/if your new pesh kabz grip tapers. I'm curious if this maker can do other weapons; I'm gonna have to look them up. Yes, the grip pieces swell out towards to end of the grip, it does make it feel quite secure. You can find pictures of his work and whats available, along with contact info, on Facebook and Instagram. I must admit I'm curious as to the price you paid for that pulwar. And what you might think of letting the bare blade go for, should you keep the hilt to swap it out. (I'm thinking that a shortening of the blade to make it a highly curved sort of falchion might be an interesting challenge, and correct some of those problems. Proportionally, if the last ten inches thin, it would effectively add a lot of distal taper.) The pulwar was 10000INR which is why it's hard to be too upset, seemed like an acceptable risk/reward. When I get the blade out of the grip, I'd probably let it go for $50+ shipping. That tip of the blade might also make a cool polearm head or dao like chopper. |
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Post by randomnobody on Sept 4, 2020 7:10:33 GMT
Yes, the grip pieces swell out towards to end of the grip, it does make it feel quite secure. Definitely a solid grip design. I briefly checked out the Facebook page, but didn't see a lot that really grabbed me. Holy cow, is that all? That's less than $140 US. Really can't be angry about what you got for that.  |
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Post by Jordan Williams on Sept 4, 2020 8:02:09 GMT
Would love to buy the pulwar blade off you of you want to sell it to get more cash to replace it.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2020 12:37:11 GMT
Awesome stuff! I took a look at this maker's work and he even makes chakrams!
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Post by soulfromheart on Sept 4, 2020 18:11:28 GMT
This is looking really great ! I really want a dhal now...
(Must...resist...willpower...low...wife very angry...ohoh... :S)
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Jash
Member
"Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum!"
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Post by Jash on Sept 4, 2020 19:13:46 GMT
Very nice indeed! Especially considering the price!
I followed the page on FB... thank you for being a bad influence haha.
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pgandy
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Senior Forumite
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Post by pgandy on Sept 4, 2020 19:19:37 GMT
Thanks for sharing. I know the pulwar was a letdown. That one had most of my interest.
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Post by ihutch1 on Sept 6, 2020 20:20:13 GMT
Well, after dismantling the pulwar, the blade is 840g and the handle is 440g.
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Post by randomnobody on Sept 6, 2020 20:24:16 GMT
Well, after dismantling the pulwar, the blade is 840g and the handle is 440g. I wonder if that's a miscommunication on blade weight versus overall weight? Both still seem pretty hefty, though I lack a pulwar of my own to compare. |
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Post by ihutch1 on Sept 6, 2020 21:55:10 GMT
I wonder if that's a miscommunication on blade weight versus overall weight? Both still seem pretty hefty, though I lack a pulwar of my own to compare. Yeah, that might be possible. The antique tulwar I have to hand weighs 740g in its entirety. It seems weights vary from 600g to 1200g according to Timo on MyArmoury. |
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Post by randomnobody on Sept 6, 2020 22:05:52 GMT
Yeah, that might be possible. The antique tulwar I have to hand weighs 740g in its entirety. It seems weights vary from 600g to 1200g according to Timo on MyArmoury. I do believe I've seen that same figure referenced by the same Timo here on this forum. Still seems rather hefty, but then I've got smaller swords that weigh more... |
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Post by randomnobody on Oct 8, 2020 5:27:02 GMT
Well, that's different. ihutch1 did you ever get a replacement? |
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Post by ihutch1 on Oct 12, 2020 1:41:53 GMT
Well, that's different. ihutch1 did you ever get a replacement?
Yes, I have ordered another blade, 500-600g weight, which he has just finished. After disassembling two originals, both blades are 480-500g, but also a few inches shorter.
I have also ordered two golia blades (like a shamshir kind of), two chilanums, two pesh kabz (one is a larger karud), and a bichwa. Also a complete sword which was someone elses cancelled order. Might resell it, but it was a good price, it has modern hilt construction though and prefer the old style.
Here are WIP shots of some of the pieces in the order. None of the chilanums so far.
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Post by ihutch1 on Oct 12, 2020 1:42:55 GMT
A look back at this thread inspired me to contact Mr. Bikramjit Singh for this: 
Very cool, looks brutal. I think he showed me some in progress pics of your hilt!
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