A slightly unique Piha Kaetta

derek · 16th September 2007, 02:35 AM

Hi Spiral,

It has a grain like wood, but it's exceptionally smooth and dark.

I've currently got 25 really good examples. Some were Jerry Maskell's at one time (he had over 110 if I remember right). Still, I bet you've got more good kukris than that.....

rand · 16th September 2007, 02:45 AM

Hey Derek,

Have always thought these knives from Ceylon to be intrinsically beautiful. The symetry of th blade followed by the flowing decoration on the handle often carved from ivory. They seem to be over looked by most collectors still, its nice to see someone forming a collection and gathering information on them. There is something breath taking about the knives from Ceylon, they touch on form, function and art all at the same time.

rand

derek · 16th September 2007, 01:53 PM

Rand,
Couldn't have said it better!

Maskell · 16th September 2007, 03:19 PM

Glad to see your still enjoying the pihas, actually I had 111 of them. Nice that they are appreciated. The re curved grips ones are scarce, I had a few and were referred to as a "dog leg"

Best,
Jerry

spiral · 16th September 2007, 04:12 PM

Thanks Derek, looks good.

mmmm I do ok for kukris I guess.

Spiral

scratch · 17th September 2007, 10:50 PM

Thanks for sharing these Derek

I thought these were a bit odd looking when I first saw them, I like them Now!
What sizes did these come in?
Cheers

Dan

Jim McDougall · 18th September 2007, 07:38 AM

These are indeed distinctive weapons, and it seems worthy to note the curious profile of the blade on the example in the initial post has a remarkable similarity to the Anglo-Saxon/Frankish seax and the larger scramasax. While these are quite early, they were used into the 15th century, more like machetes used in a chopping fashion.
Although admittedly a note based on free association, it does seem that I have heard the similarity brought up before.

16th September 2007, 02:45 AM	#2
rand Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 539	Piha Khata Hey Derek, Have always thought these knives from Ceylon to be intrinsically beautiful. The symetry of th blade followed by the flowing decoration on the handle often carved from ivory. They seem to be over looked by most collectors still, its nice to see someone forming a collection and gathering information on them. There is something breath taking about the knives from Ceylon, they touch on form, function and art all at the same time. rand

16th September 2007, 03:19 PM	#4
Maskell Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 38	Hi Derek Glad to see your still enjoying the pihas, actually I had 111 of them. Nice that they are appreciated. The re curved grips ones are scarce, I had a few and were referred to as a "dog leg" Best, Jerry

16th September 2007, 02:35 AM	#1
derek Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 215	Hi Spiral, It has a grain like wood, but it's exceptionally smooth and dark. I've currently got 25 really good examples. Some were Jerry Maskell's at one time (he had over 110 if I remember right). Still, I bet you've got more good kukris than that.....

16th September 2007, 01:53 PM	#3
derek Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 215	Rand, Couldn't have said it better!

16th September 2007, 04:12 PM	#5
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Thanks Derek, looks good. mmmm I do ok for kukris I guess. Spiral

17th September 2007, 10:50 PM	#6
scratch Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 96	Thanks for sharing these Derek I thought these were a bit odd looking when I first saw them, I like them Now! What sizes did these come in? Cheers Dan

18th September 2007, 07:38 AM	#7
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,467	These are indeed distinctive weapons, and it seems worthy to note the curious profile of the blade on the example in the initial post has a remarkable similarity to the Anglo-Saxon/Frankish seax and the larger scramasax. While these are quite early, they were used into the 15th century, more like machetes used in a chopping fashion. Although admittedly a note based on free association, it does seem that I have heard the similarity brought up before.