Who makes a high quality Indian Tulwar in the market? -- myArmoury.com

Christopher B Lellis

Are there any manufacturers or even custom sword makers that make a fine quality Indian Tulwar?
If there are none, and you know it, let me know that too.

Thanks.

J. Nicolaysen · Posted: Thu 05 Nov, 2015 11:16 am Post subject:

Maybe Bernard Delor (French smith)
I haven't seen a particular Tulwar from him, but I think he would be capable, or at least worth asking: http://www.orient-blades.com/index.php/en/home

Luka Borscak · Posted: Thu 05 Nov, 2015 12:01 pm Post subject:

You can buy original tulwars in good condition for a lower price than what a good replica of any sword can cost.

Christopher B Lellis · Posted: Thu 05 Nov, 2015 12:18 pm Post subject:

Christopher B Lellis · Posted: Thu 05 Nov, 2015 12:18 pm Post subject:

Luka Borscak · Posted: Thu 05 Nov, 2015 12:39 pm Post subject:

Matt Easton sometimes has one for sale on his site:
http://www.fioredeiliberi.org/antique-swords-uk/for-sale/
Right now there is an interesting Indian sword with 18th century european backsword blade. You could also check oldswords.com.

Jeffrey Faulk · Posted: Thu 05 Nov, 2015 2:37 pm Post subject:

There is a modern tulwar on the market, made by (or should I say rather 'marketed by') Cold Steel. However the blade is the same as on the 1796 Light Cavalry Saber they sell, and my understanding is the grip is a bit too long for a proper tulwar. So it's somewhat inaccurate. Functional and reasonably cheap, though.

Beyond that, your best bet would be picking up an antique from the various vendors. There are a ridiculous amount of them so they are reasonably priced for the most part. Decoration, condition, and rareness will affect the price-- one made out of Wootz steel will be more expensive than one of ordinary steel, of course.

For example, here's one from Oriental-Arms:
http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=6923

18th century, gold grip, 'Very Good' condition, for $495. Then there's another one a few pages down that's $3000, but that's because it's wootz.

You can also search the Pulwar, which is a similar sword from Afghanistan or Pakistan. The only difference is in handle form.

Patrick Kelly · Posted: Thu 05 Nov, 2015 2:55 pm Post subject:

Middle eastern weapons are seriously undervalued in the market. They're affordable enough that this is one area where it really makes no sense to buy a replica.

Michael Beeching · Posted: Thu 05 Nov, 2015 3:11 pm Post subject:

That's a really cool website, actually. I've also been wondering why there's seemingly no modern reproductions of Indian arms available in the West, especially from companies like Windlass...

I'm actually quite impressed by the African arms available - because the market must be quite niche as of now, the prices are pretty low for some rather impressive looking pieces. So, if you were ever curious about how a Tuareg sword handles, or are in need of a neat dagger, it might be a good chance to jump on something!

http://www.oriental-arms.com/photos.php?id=6218
http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=4679
http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=6559

Those Tetela daggers are really cool - I'd say they do better work than the fantasy artists by far, considering that theirs work in practice. Big Grin

Jeffrey Faulk · Posted: Thu 05 Nov, 2015 3:20 pm Post subject:

I suspect the paucity of Indian weapons is mostly because India hasn't really made much of an impact in the American popular consciousness, and the US is really one of the biggest markets for this kind of stuff. There haven't been many movies or television shows featuring India or Indian weapons, while there have been a whole bunch about, for example, the Crusades and therefore Middle Eastern weapons.

Really the main place you see that kind of thing tends to be fantasy movies and shows, of all things.

Now if Bollywood movies suddenly became a thing in the States, I suspect you'd see a change... a few tasty Game of Thrones style period dramas with a few fancy tulwars, Windlass would be all over that Wink

Christopher B Lellis · Posted: Thu 05 Nov, 2015 6:28 pm Post subject:

Christopher B Lellis · Posted: Thu 05 Nov, 2015 6:29 pm Post subject:

Christopher B Lellis · Posted: Thu 05 Nov, 2015 6:30 pm Post subject:

Travis Canaday · Posted: Thu 05 Nov, 2015 7:21 pm Post subject:

One thing you might consider would be to buy a tulwar handle, and then mount a custom blade in it. You can find many antique and some really nice modern made tulwar handles on ebay. Most (not surprisingly) ship from India. Search for "tulwar handle" and "sword handle."

Just an idea. Could be a cool option if you didn't want to sharpen and cut with an antique blade.

Also, you can find some good deals on tulwars with ebay. I have two that I found on ebay, including one that I believe is made from wootz that the seller didn't realize.

Patrick Kelly · Posted: Thu 05 Nov, 2015 8:31 pm Post subject:

Here's a nice antique Tulwar for $495. See what I mean?
http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=6923

Christopher B Lellis · Posted: Fri 06 Nov, 2015 1:33 pm Post subject:

Patrick Kelly · Posted: Fri 06 Nov, 2015 2:53 pm Post subject:

Houston P. · Posted: Fri 06 Nov, 2015 2:54 pm Post subject:

As I would personally feel terrible cutting with an antique, I too am curious if there are any makers with an inclination towards making these types of swords.

Michael Beeching · Posted: Fri 06 Nov, 2015 3:19 pm Post subject:

What really put me off about the linked Tulwar on Oriental Arms is the blade - the old lady has been sharpened so many times that a quarter of the blade is gone - I suspect that is why the sword is so inexpensive.

What I found myself wanting was a Khanda, and sure enough:

http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=6590

I suspect that particular weapon was one made with an imported European blade. If you take a look at the langets forward of the guard, you'll see what looks like some detail on the ricasso, probably a maker's or nation's seal. Still a neat weapon, though, and most definitely out of my pay grade at the moment.

What are more affordable and still in quite good shape on the site are katars, which I'd love to see more of on the market as well:

http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=5822
http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=6414
http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=5895

Patrick Kelly · Posted: Fri 06 Nov, 2015 7:21 pm Post subject: