Is this an authentic Formosan Paiwan sword?

[Bob A]

Originally Posted by Sajen

To each his own!

I have owned some real antique ones and handled a few tourist ones, a great difference.

For many collectors, Mojo makes the difference.

It's a tenet of sympathetic magic: things once in contact remain in contact, in an ineffable way. (Quantum mechanics has something to say about that as well).

If "magic" doesn't provide sufficient impetus to push a price point, there's always "provenance".

(I don't mean to dispute the realities of actual construction, BTW).