[Michael Curl]

I was wondering what the avg PoB is on the muslim sabers, kilij, saif, tulwar, pulwar, etc.

[Lloyd Winter]

My pulwar which I'm pretty sure has a European blade has a PoB of 7.5"

My 18th century Persian shamshir has a PoB of 8.5"

A couple of generic 19th century pieces come out at 6.5 and 7.5

[Timo Nieminen]

Lots of measurements in Manouchehr Moshtagh Khorasani, "Arms and Armor from Iran: The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period" for a variety of shamshirs. Most are 20-25cm (8-10 inches), with a fair number going an inch either way outside that range, or even as short as about 15cm. The close-POB ones tend to be broad-bladed or broad-tipped (so perhaps you would call them a kilij); about 6-7" is typical for them.

Three 19th century tulwars come out at 5", 7", and 8".

These things don't have heavy pommels or long grips, so the PoBs will tend to be out about there.

[Tom Carr]

I have an 18th century Tulwar with a POB of 4 inchs in front of the cross. Very light sword as well, so it's quite agile. Weight is just over a pound. Lightest tulwar I've ever run across.

[Michael Curl]

Wow, so 6 inches sounds pretty normal then. I was just asking because someone was telling me that these had low PoB's but I thought that sounded absurd (since I'm used to the 3-4'' longsword). Is this balance the same on European sabers as well?

[Lloyd Winter]

My 18th century Karabela is a tad over 7"

[Timo Nieminen]