[Ian]

Changdao, thank you for your comments! As you so correctly point out, Europeans like Burton had little appreciation of local sword tactics and viewed these qualities through a different martial perspective.

The use of "hook" weapons is actually widespread and not confined to iron weapons. In my part of the world, indigenous Australians had a form of wooden club, called a leangl, that was made from a tree branch. It had a sharply angled, pointed "beak" that was roughly at right angles to the handle. This was used to strike around an opponent's shield. It was a devastating weapon and considered among their most lethal clubs. There are similar examples among Oceanic groups, illustrating parallel development among different cultures. A good idea is a good idea wherever it occurs.

Regards, Ian


P.S. Attached are a couple of mine from the same general area. One has an interesting hilt of woven wire and copper wrap.
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