Asian knife-need help!

josh stout · 26th January 2015, 04:54 PM

Yes, I agree. While the handle is in a style that would be consistent with the Qianlong period, the blade appears mid to late 19th c.. I have a large knife with a very similar handle that I always thought was 19th c., so it is nice to see another example.

The pole arm shaped blade mounted as one a handed a chopping weapon has a long history but the older examples tend to a different shape and are more finely made. I have seen them referred to as "podao", but there is some confusion with a two handed pole arm called either a "podao" or "pudao" depending who you talk to. Some people think the short form chopping knives were made from cut down pole arms, and there may be some examples out there, but I have only seen purpose made versions. In your case because the tang curves around to fit the handle, there is no doubt.

Shakethetrees · 26th January 2015, 07:39 PM

Thank you all for your input! One thing I neglected to mention is that the blade is of a fairly light weight, so I don't believe that using it to cut pole arm hafts would be realistic. I think this is strictly for hand to hand use, or for some other as yet unknown method.

The back of the blade is pierced with a small hole possibly for a streamer or ribbon, I would think.

So, possibly a WuShu weapon, but one not limited to just exercise, but combat?

Just my updated thoughts!

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26th January 2015, 04:54 PM	#1
josh stout Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 407	Yes, I agree. While the handle is in a style that would be consistent with the Qianlong period, the blade appears mid to late 19th c.. I have a large knife with a very similar handle that I always thought was 19th c., so it is nice to see another example. The pole arm shaped blade mounted as one a handed a chopping weapon has a long history but the older examples tend to a different shape and are more finely made. I have seen them referred to as "podao", but there is some confusion with a two handed pole arm called either a "podao" or "pudao" depending who you talk to. Some people think the short form chopping knives were made from cut down pole arms, and there may be some examples out there, but I have only seen purpose made versions. In your case because the tang curves around to fit the handle, there is no doubt.

26th January 2015, 07:39 PM	#2
Shakethetrees Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Louisiana Posts: 363	Thank you all for your input! One thing I neglected to mention is that the blade is of a fairly light weight, so I don't believe that using it to cut pole arm hafts would be realistic. I think this is strictly for hand to hand use, or for some other as yet unknown method. The back of the blade is pierced with a small hole possibly for a streamer or ribbon, I would think. So, possibly a WuShu weapon, but one not limited to just exercise, but combat? Just my updated thoughts!