Ten weirdest blades on the planet?

[fearn]

In the Parang Pandit thread, I made an off-hand remark about the pandit being "definitely one of the 10 weirdest blades on the planet."

Migueldiaz asked what the other nine are.

This of course stopped me, because I was just making a rhetorical comment, and I don't actually have a list of 10 weirdest blades.

But why should that stop anyone?

So, here's the topic for this list: what do you consider the ten weirdest blades on the planet, and why?

Let's limit this a bit. First off, civility is important. This isn't about politics, and sometimes a sword is just a sword.

Second point: let's limit this to "standard" weapons, by which I mean that we should focus on blades associated with particular groups and built for particular reasons, rather than one-off pieces of art that are both goofy and non-functional.

That said, here are some candidates for the Ten Weirdest Blades list:

1. The parang pandit (link (http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=2160)). Reason it's weird? Tip to grip: These are choppers, but where most blades have some sort of a functional tip, the pandit's tip is strictly ornamental. It's there as a weight to tune the placement of the sweet spot. Also, it's got that weird bend, and then the handle is square and metal. Makes my palms blister just thinking about it, and I wonder how tough the dayaks' hands were to use these things. Let's not forget the hair decorations on the blade. Then, rather than having a pommel to keep your hand from sliding off, it has this little, useless ivory ornament, and you're evidently supposed to hook a finger on the cross-piece to hold onto the blade.
Overall? Weird.

2. The garo milam (link, picture 7 (http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=4366)). This is another all-metal sword, and it's oddly similar to the Pandit, right down to being held by a cross-piece. Both are pretty distinctive. Why people go in for all-steel blades in the tropics is certainly puzzling.

3. The European estoc (wikipedia link (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estoc)). Okay, a 1.3 meter-long, triangular, sharpened prybar with a sword hilt? These swords were designed in an attempt to strengthen a sword to pierce plate armor. Didn't work that well. What's weird about the estoc is that no other culture went in for such super-heavy armor as did late medieval Europe. This led to some specialized, armor-piercing weapons that really haven't been seen anywhere else, most notably the estoc.

Who's next?

F

[KuKulzA28]

Well I'd say the Katar and the pata would be up there in weird/unique... I mean a handle perpendicular to the blade edge? wow

The urumi flexible whip/sword could be a candidate too...

[Emanuel]

African throwing knives !!!!! :eek:
Here's a Mbanja knife from Luc Lefebvre's site (http://lulef.free.fr/html/mbanja.html) Weirdest, freakiest, most vicious-looking things on the planet.

Some of the Indian Zulfiqar/sosoun-pata/serrated blades (http://vikingsword.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=26354&stc=1) are pretty crazy too, as well as the old South Indian flamboyant swords (http://vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=3165).

Emanuel

[KuKulzA28]

what about a bagh nakh (http://www.asianarms.com/images/products/lBaghnaka9914.jpg)? or a bagh nakh with a bichwa blade (http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s216/phyreblade_blog/Weapons/Bagh%20Nakh/wa507368_d01_540h450w.jpg)? :shrug:

top that! :D

[Lew]

Got you all beat with this foot knife ;)

[migueldiaz]

In the Parang Pandit thread, I made an off-hand remark about the pandit being "definitely one of the 10 weirdest blades on the planet."

Migueldiaz asked what the other nine are.

This of course stopped me, because I was just making a rhetorical comment, and I don't actually have a list of 10 weirdest blades.Thanks Fearn for starting this thread :)

I sure am glad that you're not like MI-3's Mr. Brassel (Laurence Fishburne) who gets upset ;) in such situations: "Mr. Musgrave, please don't interrupt me when I'm asking rhetorical questions." :D

All these weird blades posted so far are surely interesting to say the least.

And the zulfigar is one mean looking blade. You know if you're in trouble if your opponent happens to be wielding one ...

Haven't seen most of these blades before, thus thanks a lot for all the posts!

[Montino Bourbon]

This one has a protective cover around it... I'm surprised that no one here thought of this!

And a finger knife, nasty little thing to keep hidden!

[migueldiaz]

Got you all beat with this foot knife ;)Thanks Lew :)

I suppose those arrows in the foot knife would be the equivalent of the "Front toward enemy" [idiot-proofing] sign on a modern claymore mine? :D

[fearn]

Got you all beat with this foot knife ;)

No elephant sword, Louie?:D

And here I left off one of my favorites, "the" te unun (http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=4008) from Kiribati, Stone's "tebutje." (since te is equivalent to the, "the te unun" is redundant). For those who don't know it, it's one of those neat shark-tooth "swords" from the former Gilbert Islands. Not exactly bladed, unless you count shark's teeth as blades. Then it's got lots of blades. :D

Glad you're enjoying this Miguel. I'm interested in seeing what pops up next.
F

[Queequeg]

I'm surprised this one hasn't come up yet. I'd love to get one, myself:

The Kora
http://www.gnwtc.com/wea021.JPG
http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/photos/items/86/001786/ph-0.jpg
http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/2746/fightingkoreazm5.jpg

I'd love to see some test cutting done with one on sides of beef and ballistic gel dummies. They look fearsome.

[ariel]

Please look at my avatar: the Laz Bichaq.
You cannot align the blade with its supposed target ( the enemy), but the bifurcated , humongous horn pommel will sure as hell gouge you own eyes.
Also, the size of the scabbard prevents you from bending, turning around or tucking a functional knife ( just in case!!!) under the belt.
Beautifully exotic and nigh useless: an analog of the AMC Gremlin.

[sirupate]

I've seen one of those used at Dashain in Nepal, poor Buffalo didn't stand a chance.

[CourseEight]

I'll toss one of these (http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=1985) into the mix.

[Montino Bourbon]

used in close quarters. such as getting a friend out of the middle of a battle, or making room in the supermarket line... and it sure gets 'em out of your way at the post office!

[Rick]

Think it means Take Off Appendage . :D

[asomotif]

Certainly somewhere in the top 10 :

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=8341&highlight=sock+sword

The deadly sock sword :eek:

Another one that would still rank in my top 10 : The keris...
Personally I still find the indonesian keris a weird weapon.
Althought it is historically embeded in our country (The Netherlands)
Logic as a weapon are far to be found in the keris.
No hand guard, not symetric, waivy, becomming smaller, thinner and more brittle over the years due to warangan. :shrug:
I know there are all kinds of reasons why a keris is as it is, but still. :rolleyes:

[migueldiaz]

I'll toss one of these (http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=1985) into the mix.Radleigh, thanks!

The URL of the link that must have been ".com" before is now ".co.il". So here now is the link (http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=1985).

And I'd be one of the many who surely appreciates Artzi's website, which retains as part of the photo gallery even the sold items :)

[migueldiaz]

Glad you're enjoying this Miguel. I'm interested in seeing what pops up next.Thanks, too. The pleasure is mine.

And so that I don't unwittingly throw a curved ball next time, let me please tell you in advance my next query: "What would be the 10 weirdest blades in other planets?" :D ;)

Please look at my avatar: the Laz Bichaq. You cannot align the blade with its supposed target ( the enemy), but the bifurcated , humongous horn pommel will sure as hell gouge you own eyes. Also, the size of the scabbard prevents you from bending, turning around or tucking a functional knife ( just in case!!!) under the belt. Beautifully exotic and nigh useless ...Thanks Ariel, and that's the reason why I've always enjoyed the earlier thread (http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1305) on this strange sword.

The way you described it, I'm beginning to think their traditional enemy must have surreptitiously designed the sword for them! :D

Levity aside and moving on, the Aztecs' wooden sword or club is not a blade but is a weapon nonetheless. They're wooden precisely because they were designed not to kill.

Which leads me to my next point -- on the one hand sometimes we can only scratch our heads every time we see a strange weapon with seemingly useless features.

On the other hand we know that these folks were not stupid (and forumites certainly have the highest respects for these warriors of old).

And so that's the reason why I find this topic very interesting ... it makes us leave our old assumptions and forces us to think out of the box.

Just my two cents ... and thanks again to all! :)

[fearn]

Hi Miguel,

If you're puzzled about some of these weapons, I can only refer you to my favorite philosopher, Terry Pratchett.

Here's one of my favorite quotes from The Fifth Elephant. The scene: the hero has just taken a rather nasty concealed crossbow away from an assassin and is examining it in front of the assassin:

"'This is not a weapon. This is for killing people,' he said.
'Uh...most weapons are,' said Inigo.
'No they're not. They're so youdon't have to kill people. They're for...for having. For being seen. For warning. This isn't one of those. It's for hiding away until you bring it out and kill some people in the dark.'"

I think Pratchett would call most of these blades weapons.

F

[kronckew]

i still think my kujang is pretty weird
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s231/kronckew/kujang2.jpg

[Emanuel]

Trumbash!



-- pic from Oriantal-Arms --

[Gavin Nugent]

At this point I wont be presenting any images of the exotic antique Chinese weapons but rest assured there are some amazingly weird genuine antiques that fall in line with some of those wacky training weapons seen in some martial arts catalogues.

Gav

[migueldiaz]

The scene: the hero has just taken a rather nasty concealed crossbow away from an assassin and is examining it in front of the assassin:

"'This is not a weapon. This is for killing people,' he said.
'Uh...most weapons are,' said Inigo.
'No they're not. They're so youdon't have to kill people. They're for...for having. For being seen. For warning. This isn't one of those. It's for hiding away until you bring it out and kill some people in the dark.'"

I think Pratchett would call most of these blades weapons.
That was profound Fearn, thanks :)

Some people would argue about the semantics but I wouldn't. I think the hero put things quite beautifully!

I couldn't agree more. Like in the US, over 90% of the policemen go over their careers without firing a gun. The sidearm is there more as a deterrent. Just like these blade "weapons" (but of course if push comes to shove, the other function comes to play) ...

[David]

If you're puzzled about some of these weapons, I can only refer you to my favorite philosopher, Terry Pratchett.

Here's one of my favorite quotes from The Fifth Elephant. The scene: the hero has just taken a rather nasty concealed crossbow away from an assassin and is examining it in front of the assassin:

"'This is not a weapon. This is for killing people,' he said.
'Uh...most weapons are,' said Inigo.
'No they're not. They're so youdon't have to kill people. They're for...for having. For being seen. For warning. This isn't one of those. It's for hiding away until you bring it out and kill some people in the dark.'"

I think Pratchett would call most of these blades weapons.

F
Yes! My favorite all-time writer and (yes) philosopher as well. Loved the Fifth Elephant! :D

[VANDOO]

THE NGOMBE EXECUTION SWORDS ARE SOME STRANGE SWORDS. HERE ARE SOME PICTURES I GOT SOMEWHERE UNFORTUNATELY NOT MINE. :(

[Gavin Nugent]

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=6272&highlight=naga

[Lew]

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=7057


Gav

you sure about this link? A kindjal does not strike me as a weird blade. :confused:

[Gavin Nugent]

Gav

you sure about this link? A kindjal does not strike me as a weird blade. :confused:

Yep, the only thing strange about the link was me posting it, the correct link is up there now....thanks :D

[Tim Simmons]

The information I have found suggests these are cult knives and by that I did think they were non functional. I am no longer certain about the non functional idea all depends how you hold and intend to use, especially the large one which has a well formed edge to the blade. Reminds me of some of those rather odd shaped small indonesian blades. Older members might recall these examples.

[fearn]

Interesting Tim,

They also look like the kind of art knives that american blacksmiths make on occasion, to demonstrate how they can manipulate steel billets.

F

[ariel]

OK, boys and girls,
TRY TO BEAT THIS ONE!!!!!!!!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=220419836866#ht_4698wt_1167

[fearn]

Sure Ariel, happy to. :cool:

This was posted by Matchlock over in another thread (http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=10078). It's a 17th century Italian lantern shield. Do note the toothed blade/spike sticking out of the shield boss.

F

[Royston]

I think this one definitely deserves a mention.

Royston

[Gavin Nugent]

Yep, the only thing strange about the link was me posting it, the correct link is up there now....thanks :D

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=6272&highlight=naga

Got that one covered Royston, I added your posting earlier, a very nice piece by the way.
I was out bid on one recently, certainly something I wish to add to my personal armoury.

Gav

[ariel]

Sorry, boys, no cigar.
Yours are functional: the shield more or less so, but the dao can be used with no problems.
Just imagine how to use my example! It is truly weird!

[fearn]

Sorry, boys, no cigar.
Yours are functional: the shield more or less so, but the dao can be used with no problems.
Just imagine how to use my example! It is truly weird!

Hi Ariel,

You might want to re-read the first entry in this thread:
Second point: let's limit this to "standard" weapons, by which I mean that we should focus on blades associated with particular groups and built for particular reasons, rather than one-off pieces of art that are both goofy and non-functional.

So, what standard is that cheese knife from hell that you showed? Does it even have a name :D:p :D


F

[CourseEight]

I have one, and also Oriental-Arms recently sold one:

http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=2957

A "Zulfikar Sousson Pata" maybe? :)

[Gavin Nugent]

Guys, off topic, though still within the parametres of the discussion, What is the correct spelling of the Sousson Pata?
I only ask as I have recently added a superb early example to my personal collection.
Is it Sousson Pata or Sosun Patta?

Thanks

Gav

[CourseEight]

Elgood actually spells it "Sosan Pattah" :shrug: I think since it's not a word originally written in our alphabet, it's more a question of phonetics than anything else.

[fearn]

Works for me. Since it's probably not an over-sized cheese knife, does it have a known function (social or otherwise), or is it one of those weapons that (to paraphrase Pratchett) is designed to be seen, rather than used?

BTW, I think the lantern shield falls into that category. Aside from the fact that it's a left handed weapon in a right-handed milieu, can you image trying to stab someone with a blade that comes off your elbow at a 15 degree angle to your arm, while trying not to spill hot lantern oil over your forearm, while said lantern is shining light 90 degrees away from your target? Functional is not the word here.

F

[Gavin Nugent]

I'm pretty sure these would rate on the weird list and they are users.

http://www.swordsantiqueweapons.com/s061_full.html

Gav

[kronckew]

that tis but a child's bat'leth

similar to the one used here in london
by the UK metropolitan police for crowd control.
http://scifiblog.net/wp-content/uploads/2006/05/Batleth.jpg

[Gavin Nugent]

Beam me up!!!

[fearn]

that tis but a child's bat'leth

similar to the one used here in london
by the UK metropolitan police for crowd control.
http://scifiblog.net/wp-content/uploads/2006/05/Batleth.jpg

While we joke about it, it does make you wonder how far back such goofy blades go.

I'm not talking about the Chinese wheel weapons, exactly. I've got a pair of modern deer horn knives myself, and once upon a time I even learned a set for them. The martial artist who made those famous (Dong Hai Chuan, founder of baguazhang) worked as a tax collector in China, and he carried a pair of deer-horn knives prominently wherever he went. People knew of him by reputation, and knew about those knives, and (apparently) didn't give him much trouble. That's a useful kind of weapon.

No, I'm more thinking of things like that bat'leth, which is basically an art-piece turned into a mass-produced "martial arts" weapon, whether it's useful or not.

How long has this kind of thing been going on? How often were smiths inspired by some story or picture or other to make a weapon? Or how about those Chinese weapons that incorporate seven stars, rings, multiple tips and piercings, because one of the heroes in The Water Margin carried a sword like that? Has anyone got an old example?

F

[Tim Simmons]

That policemans expression is so cool you might even think he has been practasing in the mirror. No he has been dealing with scummers for too long and seen it all before. :shrug:

[David]

That policemans expression is so cool you might even think he has been practasing in the mirror. No he has been dealing with scummers for too long and seen it all before. :shrug:
Yeah Tim, i think he's probably thinking something like, "Really...you're using a Klingon weapon....seriously???"
Is this how they get around the sword ban in England? Fantasy alien weapons?
:rolleyes: :)

[Rick]

that tis but a child's bat'leth

similar to the one used here in london
by the UK metropolitan police for crowd control.
http://scifiblog.net/wp-content/uploads/2006/05/Batleth.jpg

"Don't let me catch you with one of these . "

[kronckew]

in actuality, someone was caught robbing a convenience store with that, the police of course confiscated it. i understand two seven-elevens in the states were similarly robbed with bat'leths. obviously a major crime wave.
there is a variant called the sword of kahless that even more resembles the chinese single handed form, in that it also has a central point and a sigle hand grip area.
http://www.klingonimperialweaponsguild.org/images/mupwi/SOKplan.gif

i think someone on the star trek team must have visited an indian arms and armour museum, there are so many odd and unusual forms there including double ended. the chinese run a close second also. maybe a pre-industrial asian visit by klingon's ;)

i'd not be surprised at a similar ancient form.

[Jussi M.]

Any credit card you might have with a sharpened edge.

Hugely popular amongst the criminal population of Russia.

http://www.cashthechecks.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/credit-cards.jpg

[fearn]

in actuality, someone was caught robbing a convenience store with that, the police of course confiscated it. i understand two seven-elevens in the states were similarly robbed with bat'leths. obviously a major crime wave.
there is a variant called the sword of kahless that even more resembles the chinese single handed form, in that it also has a central point and a sigle hand grip area.

i think someone on the star trek team must have visited an indian arms and armour museum, there are so many odd and unusual forms there including double ended. the chinese run a close second also. maybe a pre-industrial asian visit by klingon's ;)

i'd not be surprised at a similar ancient form.
Hi Kronckew,

I'd guess Chinese. Most of the Star Trek people are based in California, especially LA and San Francisco. There's a thriving Chinese martial arts community here, but not a lot of Indian martial arts or their weapons. Based on simple proximity, I'd guess Chinese influences first.

Best,

F

[KuKulzA28]

Hi Kronckew,

I'd guess Chinese. Most of the Star Trek people are based in California, especially LA and San Francisco. There's a thriving Chinese martial arts community here, but not a lot of Indian martial arts or their weapons. Based on simple proximity, I'd guess Chinese influences first.

Best,

F
No intention to drag this further off topic from the original "weirdest blades" but it does seem that while Chinese, Japanese, and Korean arts have had their big boom, with Filipino arts coming close behind now... Indian and Indonesian martial arts haven't really grown in great popularity ..or at least are just beginning to. Ten years ago I've heard of Taekwondo, Mantis boxing, Wing Chun, Aikido, Jujutsu, etc. but not Arnis or Kali until a few years ago.. and I did not hear of any Silat in the Western World until more recently... and even more recently Kalaripayattu, Shastar Vidiya, and "Gatka". But now there's Maul Mornie (Silat Suffian Bela Diri) touring the world, teaching classes... there's a few Silat teachers in the US. There's Pencak Silat Sunda that is open for international students... Kalaripayattu schools are opening across southern India, and I believe one in Germany. And while the sparring-based Gatka has been around, Nihang Niddar Singh (Shaster Vidiya) is now teaching martial arts in the UK. Of course these arts have been around in their respective locations, but as for dissemination into the wider world, many did not until recently.

Very cool. Now... back on topic... :D

[DaveA]

This one has a protective cover around it... I'm surprised that no one here thought of this!

And a finger knife, nasty little thing to keep hidden!


On the left, the wrist knife is called an "Ararait" of the Turkana tribe.
On the right, the finger knife is a variant of the Ngigolio knife of the Turkana, but bears some resemblance to the Corogat, and finger knife used by several tribes for extracting teeth.

For what its worth :shrug:

Dave A.