Sawfish sword

fearn · 22nd August 2007, 05:58 AM

Hi All,

Just saw a new article on sawfishes. Couple of things in it that are relevant here.

1) I didn't realize when I posted above, but the CITES ban on sawfish trade reportedly goes into effect September 1, 2007. This will ban all international sales of sawfish, dead or alive, whole or in parts.

In addition to international trade, in the US, domestic trade in sawfish will also be banned, since the US follows CITES rules in this regard. Other countries have other rules. I don't know if sawfish bills are like ivory, in that older items are grandfathered in if they have a documented provenance and age. Please check your local laws if you want to sell or buy a sawbill.

2) the reason for the ban is that sawfish have been hammered by coastal development and overfishing (accidental or intentional, see below). Since they grow slowly and reproduce slowly (basically at human rate), every species of sawfish is endangered. Some species are down in the 3,000 animals range.

3) What do people do with sawfish parts, other than carving weapons? According to the article, sawbills are believed to be the most effective tool for repelling demons, disease spirits, and ghosts across Asia (comments?).

So Tim, you can now go into the exorcism business. Have fun!

Bottom line: if you own one of these bills and want to sell it, do it now. Otherwise, it will become an heirloom. Considering how weird and neat these critters are, if you're so inclined, you may want to support conservation and preservation efforts for these species, so that future generations will get to see sawfish bills outside of museums and dusty collections. Realize also that in the old days, they used to get 10 meters long, and now they rarely top three meters, so the longer everyone waits, the bigger they get.

Fearn

Tim Simmons · 22nd August 2007, 06:06 PM

I think I will keep mine. I could make a few bob as a local sham phoowy man.

Tim Simmons · 8th February 2010, 10:58 PM

I do not really want to wake the dead but just have to post this link.

http://www.britishmuseum.org/researc...<br /> arch_o

Perhaps this link will work?

http://www.britishmuseum.org/join_in...s.aspx?asset_i

VANDOO · 9th February 2010, 05:32 AM

SEEING AS HOW IT LIVES AGAIN I WILL ADD SOME PICTURES.

1. SAWFISH SCULPTURE MADE WITH REAL SAWFISH BILL BY YOUNG DR. SUESS HIMSELF IN THE 1930'S
2. BROADBILL SWORDFISH SWORD AND TWO FIDS MADE FROM MARLIN BILLS (MARLIN SPIKE) ECT.
3. AFRICAN MADE EXAMPLE 1946, CUT OUT HANDLE.
4. SAWFISH SWORD WITH INTERESTING HANDLE
5. SAWFISH SWORD
6. CLOSE UP OF VERY OLD BROADBILL SWORDFISH SHOWING PATINA.
I HAVE A NICE EXAMPLE FROM NEW GUINEA BUT THE CAMERAS ARE DOWN SO I CAN'T ADD PIC'S NOW.

LAST YEAR I WAS LOOKING AT A LARGE COLLECTION OF INDIAN ARTEFACTS AND FOSSILS FROM OKLAHOMA. THE FELLOW HAD SOMETHING HE SAID WAS ONE HALF OF A BOW FOUND NEAR OKLAHOMA CITY. IT WAS A BROADBILL SWORDFISH BILL AND A VERY OLD ONE CERTIANLY PRECOLUMBIAN. SO NATIVE AMERICANS BROUGHT ONE FROM THE OCEAN TO OKLAHOMA IN PREHISTORIC TIMES. WEAPON OR CEREMONIAL OBJECT WE WILL NEVER KNOW.

KuKulzA28 · 25th August 2010, 02:16 AM

Found this photo of a drunk man wielding what appears to be a sawfish sword...

might be during a festival with self-hurting rituals and stuff... "don't try this at home"

Rick · 25th August 2010, 03:52 AM

How can we say whether his intoxication is chemical and not spiritual ?

fearn · 25th August 2010, 04:50 PM

If that's how one repels demons with a sawfish bill, all I can say is that I hope it was worth it for him.

F

8th February 2010, 10:58 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,925	sorry to disturb the dead. I do not really want to wake the dead but just have to post this link. http://www.britishmuseum.org/researc...<br /> arch_o Perhaps this link will work? http://www.britishmuseum.org/join_in...s.aspx?asset_i

9th February 2010, 05:32 AM	#4
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	SEEING AS HOW IT LIVES AGAIN I WILL ADD SOME PICTURES. 1. SAWFISH SCULPTURE MADE WITH REAL SAWFISH BILL BY YOUNG DR. SUESS HIMSELF IN THE 1930'S 2. BROADBILL SWORDFISH SWORD AND TWO FIDS MADE FROM MARLIN BILLS (MARLIN SPIKE) ECT. 3. AFRICAN MADE EXAMPLE 1946, CUT OUT HANDLE. 4. SAWFISH SWORD WITH INTERESTING HANDLE 5. SAWFISH SWORD 6. CLOSE UP OF VERY OLD BROADBILL SWORDFISH SHOWING PATINA. I HAVE A NICE EXAMPLE FROM NEW GUINEA BUT THE CAMERAS ARE DOWN SO I CAN'T ADD PIC'S NOW. LAST YEAR I WAS LOOKING AT A LARGE COLLECTION OF INDIAN ARTEFACTS AND FOSSILS FROM OKLAHOMA. THE FELLOW HAD SOMETHING HE SAID WAS ONE HALF OF A BOW FOUND NEAR OKLAHOMA CITY. IT WAS A BROADBILL SWORDFISH BILL AND A VERY OLD ONE CERTIANLY PRECOLUMBIAN. SO NATIVE AMERICANS BROUGHT ONE FROM THE OCEAN TO OKLAHOMA IN PREHISTORIC TIMES. WEAPON OR CEREMONIAL OBJECT WE WILL NEVER KNOW. Attached Images Last edited by VANDOO; 9th February 2010 at 05:44 AM.

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22nd August 2007, 05:58 AM	#1
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	Hi All, Just saw a new article on sawfishes. Couple of things in it that are relevant here. 1) I didn't realize when I posted above, but the CITES ban on sawfish trade reportedly goes into effect September 1, 2007. This will ban all international sales of sawfish, dead or alive, whole or in parts. In addition to international trade, in the US, domestic trade in sawfish will also be banned, since the US follows CITES rules in this regard. Other countries have other rules. I don't know if sawfish bills are like ivory, in that older items are grandfathered in if they have a documented provenance and age. Please check your local laws if you want to sell or buy a sawbill. 2) the reason for the ban is that sawfish have been hammered by coastal development and overfishing (accidental or intentional, see below). Since they grow slowly and reproduce slowly (basically at human rate), every species of sawfish is endangered. Some species are down in the 3,000 animals range. 3) What do people do with sawfish parts, other than carving weapons? According to the article, sawbills are believed to be the most effective tool for repelling demons, disease spirits, and ghosts across Asia (comments?). So Tim, you can now go into the exorcism business. Have fun! Bottom line: if you own one of these bills and want to sell it, do it now. Otherwise, it will become an heirloom. Considering how weird and neat these critters are, if you're so inclined, you may want to support conservation and preservation efforts for these species, so that future generations will get to see sawfish bills outside of museums and dusty collections. Realize also that in the old days, they used to get 10 meters long, and now they rarely top three meters, so the longer everyone waits, the bigger they get. Fearn

22nd August 2007, 06:06 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,925	I think I will keep mine. I could make a few bob as a local sham phoowy man.

25th August 2010, 02:16 AM	#5
KuKulzA28 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: between work and sleep Posts: 731	Found this photo of a drunk man wielding what appears to be a sawfish sword... might be during a festival with self-hurting rituals and stuff... "don't try this at home"

25th August 2010, 03:52 AM	#6
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,376	How can we say whether his intoxication is chemical and not spiritual ?

25th August 2010, 04:50 PM	#7
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	If that's how one repels demons with a sawfish bill, all I can say is that I hope it was worth it for him. F