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Originally Posted by kronckew
I agree with A.G. Ethnographic edged arms is not just a dead art over 100 yrs. old. they are alive and well and in use and in production by small smiths all over the world, using a variety of traditional and modern techniques.
Mass produced replica knockoffs may not fit our forum, but there should be room for experimental archaeology that explains or perpetuates the technical construction and processes that produced our items of the past, for us and for the future, and this includes the current production of future antique artworks.
Knowing how things are made, assembled and used increases rather than decreases our knowledge of the past, as well as the present.
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noun: ethnography
the scientific description of the customs of individual peoples and cultures.
Well then, my questions would be, what ethnicity does Thomas' chopper reflect? How does this particular blade fit into the customs and practices of Thomas' specific people? How will this blade be used and cared for by the Thomasonian people? Were there special rites and rituals that went into it's construction? Do the Thomasonians ascribe any spiritual qualities to their blades or are they simply for practical purpose? If only for practical purpose how exactly is this blade used within the context of Thomasonian society? How and when are such blades carried and wielded? Is this a weapon or an agricultural tool?
No one was suggesting that ethnographic items need be antique. There is still a very active keris culture operating throughout parts of Indonesia where keris are made as a part of cultural expression. Though perhaps lessened, keris still serve a cultural function within those societies. As well made and beautiful as Thomas' blade is, and despite the obvious cultural influences that he drew from in its creation, it still seems more an artifact of personal expression than a cultural one to me.
So, do we now open the Ethno Forum to every maker amongst our membership who wants to show their latest forged creation? There are certainly many other forums out there that specifically discuss the works of modern blade smiths. Should we open a separate sub-group on our site for such discussion?