A shorter Paiwan knife

KuKulzA28 · 23rd June 2011, 01:04 PM

Nice to see a Paiwan tjakit with a gradually tapering tip instead of an abrupt "katana"-point. I wonder, where these gradually tapering tips as common as the other style of blade? Any particular use or time period that they were more common? Or where they both existent at the same time?

All I know is today's Paiwan make and use both styles of blade...

yuanzhumin · 24th June 2011, 12:44 AM

Hello Kukulza,

They were already using both tips before the ned of Japanese colonial period.

I’ve noticed that the gradually tapering tips on Paiwan or Rukai knives are found mostly on shorter and/or working/hunting Paiwan and Rukai blades.

This particular Paiwan knife here is shorter and is designed more for hunting – a working task.

Best

Nicolas

KuKulzA28 · 24th June 2011, 03:07 AM

Ah, thanks yuanzhumin for clearing that up for me. If the gradually tapering tips are used for work, then the abruptly ending tips must be for war and ceremony yes? I wonder, is there any advantage of using tjakit with abruptly ending points for combat versus utility tasks? Or maybe it was simply a sort of cultural preference...

Did the Paiwan have metal socket handled tjakit as the Atayal have for laraw? I ask because I know that some smiths today do make socket handles on tjakit, but I haven't seen any pictures of antiques with such handles.

Maybe I haven't seen enough...

yuanzhumin · 24th June 2011, 09:43 AM

Hi Kukulza,

You're welcome!

Your question about the utility in combat of the abruptly ending tip is very interesting, and I have no answer to it. May be more experienced members of the forum have an idea. Like you, I would be curious to know more about this.

Concerning the socket handle in Paiwan knives, yes, I have seen some contemporary and old ones, and they were all working knives.

Best

Nicolas

23rd June 2011, 01:04 PM	#1
KuKulzA28 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: between work and sleep Posts: 731	Nice to see a Paiwan tjakit with a gradually tapering tip instead of an abrupt "katana"-point. I wonder, where these gradually tapering tips as common as the other style of blade? Any particular use or time period that they were more common? Or where they both existent at the same time? All I know is today's Paiwan make and use both styles of blade...

24th June 2011, 12:44 AM	#2
yuanzhumin Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Ex-Taipei, Taiwan, now in Shanghai, China Posts: 180	Hello Kukulza, They were already using both tips before the ned of Japanese colonial period. I’ve noticed that the gradually tapering tips on Paiwan or Rukai knives are found mostly on shorter and/or working/hunting Paiwan and Rukai blades. This particular Paiwan knife here is shorter and is designed more for hunting – a working task. Best Nicolas

24th June 2011, 03:07 AM	#3
KuKulzA28 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: between work and sleep Posts: 731	Ah, thanks yuanzhumin for clearing that up for me. If the gradually tapering tips are used for work, then the abruptly ending tips must be for war and ceremony yes? I wonder, is there any advantage of using tjakit with abruptly ending points for combat versus utility tasks? Or maybe it was simply a sort of cultural preference... Did the Paiwan have metal socket handled tjakit as the Atayal have for laraw? I ask because I know that some smiths today do make socket handles on tjakit, but I haven't seen any pictures of antiques with such handles. Maybe I haven't seen enough...

24th June 2011, 09:43 AM	#4
yuanzhumin Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Ex-Taipei, Taiwan, now in Shanghai, China Posts: 180	Hi Kukulza, You're welcome! Your question about the utility in combat of the abruptly ending tip is very interesting, and I have no answer to it. May be more experienced members of the forum have an idea. Like you, I would be curious to know more about this. Concerning the socket handle in Paiwan knives, yes, I have seen some contemporary and old ones, and they were all working knives. Best Nicolas