A Piha Kaetta with a Different Grip
 

I've seen so many old photocopied pictures of pihas with wildly different variations and looks, but here's one I've actually picked up that is a little different spin on the already rare recurve style grip. This one is actually pierced through, yet somewhat simple compared to many other examples. Sadly, it's missing the band that completed the pommel, but it's still lovely design. Man, those Pattal Hattara (Royal Workshop) guys were artists.

A BEAUTIFUL AND UNUSUAL PHIA, IT HAS A VERY ORNATE GRIP BUT DOSEN'T HAVE THE USUAL FANCY WORK ON THE BLADE WHICH I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED ON A KNIFE WITH A IVORY HANDLE OF SUCH QUALITY. THERE IS SO LITTLE KNOWN ABOUT THEM PERHAPS THERE IS SOME SYMBOLISM THAT SEPARATES ONE TYPE FROM ANOTHER AND ALSO DETERMINES USE, CLASS, ECT.

Hi Vandoo,

Thanks, and I agree you expect to see a more ornate blade to match. I have one other that is the same in this regard. I wonder if these were the "fighting pihas" that are mentioned in Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society? It surely wouldn't be the really ornately bladed examples. Most of them wouldn't be useful for fighting a stick of butter....