Asian knife-need help!

RSWORD · 25th January 2015, 11:57 PM

The knife in this thread is Chinese and probably mid 19th century. It has the 4 lobed guard found on some Chinese weapons and the shape and form of the grip shows Indian influence. Indian arms were popularized in the mid 18th century when the Emperor received gifts from India notably jade hilted daggers and swords. Notice the similarity of this grip shape to those Indian jade hilted examples. Although a century later the style remained. The shape of the blade is reminiscent of pole arms of the period. These short knives were made for civilian use and were popular amongst the gangs that required something short and fast to handle combat in the tight streets and back alley ways of the big cities.

josh stout · 26th January 2015, 03:54 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, 06:39 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!

25th January 2015, 11:57 PM	#1
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,087	The knife in this thread is Chinese and probably mid 19th century. It has the 4 lobed guard found on some Chinese weapons and the shape and form of the grip shows Indian influence. Indian arms were popularized in the mid 18th century when the Emperor received gifts from India notably jade hilted daggers and swords. Notice the similarity of this grip shape to those Indian jade hilted examples. Although a century later the style remained. The shape of the blade is reminiscent of pole arms of the period. These short knives were made for civilian use and were popular amongst the gangs that required something short and fast to handle combat in the tight streets and back alley ways of the big cities.

26th January 2015, 03:54 PM	#2
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, 06:39 PM	#3
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!