Formosa/Taiwan, dodgy pic gamble

Ian · 7th April 2007, 06:02 PM

Tim:

I'm skeptical about this one. The picture is very hard to see much detail. It does appear Taiwanese. The straight single-edged blade of uniform width for most of its length is typical of the Paiwan knife/sword. The hilt looks to be a recent version of circular cross section that may have been turned on a lathe and then carved -- can't tell from the pics. The scabbard, however, looks wrong for a Paiwan sword. Typically the Paiwan scabbards are closed on the front and have carved designs, with the snake and human faces being prominent motifs. The open-faced scabbard is seen among other tribal groups, such as the Atayal, but their knives/swords are curved and quite different from the Paiwan versions.

So this one looks to me like a hybrid of Taiwanese tribal styles. The person who could help you best is probably yuanzhumin -- Nicolas lives in Taiwan and knows as much about these knives and local culture as anyone on this Forum.

Another region that has open-faced scabbards is the Naga area of NE India. I don't think this knife is from there, but the picture is too small and blurred to say much more.

Hope it turns out to be a rare treasure.

Regards,

Ian.

Tim Simmons · 7th April 2007, 06:25 PM

Yes ebay has made a gambler of me

. The picture is pretty awful but I have a little bit of hope still. Under magnification I suspect a reasonable blade. The handle is complete guess work. We will just have to wait which adds to the fun as we are only talk the price of two burgers. I am still thinking Formosa. I think it is safe to bet on some variation over time and location.

Rick · 7th April 2007, 09:17 PM

Semi open front.

Tim Simmons · 8th April 2007, 10:02 AM

I have just re-sized this picture from the link Rick provided. The scabbards seem to be open. I am really looking forward to the arrival. I must not get too carried away. The handle could be like some of the other Formosa knives one can find in a quick search here.

paolo · 9th April 2007, 12:50 AM

My one, open scabbard, seems to me Taiwan, Rukai tribe.
Paolo

paolo · 9th April 2007, 12:52 AM

Sorry, here are the pics

Tim Simmons · 9th April 2007, 11:46 AM

Oh dear that's nice. Careful you might get me over stimulated

and make my moustache twitch

, that would never do. If mine is okay then it has only a very simple handle which is not unknown.

7th April 2007, 06:02 PM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,523	Unusual ... Tim: I'm skeptical about this one. The picture is very hard to see much detail. It does appear Taiwanese. The straight single-edged blade of uniform width for most of its length is typical of the Paiwan knife/sword. The hilt looks to be a recent version of circular cross section that may have been turned on a lathe and then carved -- can't tell from the pics. The scabbard, however, looks wrong for a Paiwan sword. Typically the Paiwan scabbards are closed on the front and have carved designs, with the snake and human faces being prominent motifs. The open-faced scabbard is seen among other tribal groups, such as the Atayal, but their knives/swords are curved and quite different from the Paiwan versions. So this one looks to me like a hybrid of Taiwanese tribal styles. The person who could help you best is probably yuanzhumin -- Nicolas lives in Taiwan and knows as much about these knives and local culture as anyone on this Forum. Another region that has open-faced scabbards is the Naga area of NE India. I don't think this knife is from there, but the picture is too small and blurred to say much more. Hope it turns out to be a rare treasure. Regards, Ian.

7th April 2007, 09:17 PM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,376	Semi open front. Attached Images

8th April 2007, 10:02 AM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,925	I have just re-sized this picture from the link Rick provided. The scabbards seem to be open. I am really looking forward to the arrival. I must not get too carried away. The handle could be like some of the other Formosa knives one can find in a quick search here. Attached Images

9th April 2007, 12:52 AM	#6
paolo Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 173	Sorry, here are the pics Attached Images

9th April 2007, 11:46 AM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,925	Oh dear that's nice. Careful you might get me over stimulated and make my moustache twitch , that would never do. If mine is okay then it has only a very simple handle which is not unknown. Last edited by Tim Simmons; 9th April 2007 at 12:21 PM.

7th April 2007, 06:25 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,925	Yes ebay has made a gambler of me . The picture is pretty awful but I have a little bit of hope still. Under magnification I suspect a reasonable blade. The handle is complete guess work. We will just have to wait which adds to the fun as we are only talk the price of two burgers. I am still thinking Formosa. I think it is safe to bet on some variation over time and location.

9th April 2007, 12:50 AM	#5
paolo Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 173	My one, open scabbard, seems to me Taiwan, Rukai tribe. Paolo