Dear David,
Fully agree that these terms need some deifinition.
Although Ben had no problem interpeting these terms
He has even his own terms : new style / old style.
In Dajak art I think that 'old style' is a style where the motifs are strongly anthropomorphic. like leeches and elbows and arm sticking out of the design.
The big hilt I posted has very clear figures, the hornbills are clearly hornbills, and the dragons are clearly dragons. No mistake about that.
That is also what I feel should be considere 'new style'
Anyway , the last hilt I posted is a bit of a mystery to me.
It does not seem very old, but take a look at the blade...