A few new pihas

[derek]

I was recently lucky to hear about an auction that included about 25 piha kaetta from a large estate. Sadly, I haven't won the lottery and couldn't get them all, but I managed to get these two. One is a very typical example, the other is like none I have seen. The handle is wrapped in silver, but the blade is completely plain. Maybe it was a more "functional" knife? Or maybe it marked a transition in styles? Anyway, its a new form to me and I was glad to get it.
-d

[not2sharp]

An interesting knife. The bottom one looks like the more common 11 inch Piha, but the top one is very strange. Does it have a very light/thin blade?

n2s

[drdavid]

Nice pick up Derek
I really like pihas, so distinctive. Is it possible that the plain blade was a later addition to an older hilt.
DrD

[derek]

Good question, but I don't think it was rehilted in this case. I've only seen one that I can say was definitely rehilted:

http://www.ancient-east.com/collection/lion-piha.jpg



N2S, the plain blade is actually heavy with a solid spine. A weird one.

[not2sharp]

N2S, the plain blade is actually heavy with a solid spine. A weird one.

If it is just a casting; someone may have made a mold from a piha and used it to cast a distinctive silver handle onto another blade.

n2s