An odd tanto/wakizashi

Philip · 23rd July 2022, 04:55 AM

Thanks for posting the additional pics. They reinforce my initial notion that this is Korean.

Pitt1999 · 24th July 2022, 12:31 AM

Should I remove that tape? It doesn't look like it belongs on the knife, also is it normal for the bands on the scabbard to be painted over like they are? Do you have any photos of other Korean knives like this? From the few examples that I have seen online none of them look exactly like this one. Unlike Japanese swords and knives which for the most part are very superficially similar from piece to piece, Korean arms do not seem to be as "regulated" and can show quite the range of variation.

Ian · 24th July 2022, 04:37 PM

I don't know about Korean arms, but MSEA weapons often had the scabbards blackened to prevent reflection of light that might give away the owner's position. The blackening agent was usually a resin derived from sap. It was common to "paint over" metallic scabbard bindings for this reason. The use of a black lacquer also provided some water proofing.

23rd July 2022, 04:55 AM	#1
Philip Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: California Posts: 1,036	Thanks for posting the additional pics. They reinforce my initial notion that this is Korean.

24th July 2022, 12:31 AM	#2
Pitt1999 Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Posts: 92	Should I remove that tape? It doesn't look like it belongs on the knife, also is it normal for the bands on the scabbard to be painted over like they are? Do you have any photos of other Korean knives like this? From the few examples that I have seen online none of them look exactly like this one. Unlike Japanese swords and knives which for the most part are very superficially similar from piece to piece, Korean arms do not seem to be as "regulated" and can show quite the range of variation.

24th July 2022, 04:37 PM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,041	I don't know about Korean arms, but MSEA weapons often had the scabbards blackened to prevent reflection of light that might give away the owner's position. The blackening agent was usually a resin derived from sap. It was common to "paint over" metallic scabbard bindings for this reason. The use of a black lacquer also provided some water proofing.