LOL!
I about lost it when I read your description as "unprofessional" Tom and I fully agree but find that a GOOD thing.
Some of the old Negito knives had a decidedly Visayan look to the scabbard, usually out of wood rather than leather as is common in the latter.
My guess is that it's a Negrito composite piece with a fair amount of age to it (WWII or earlier) and nothing "Japanesey" **grin** about it at all.
Unless I'm mistaken the negritos were the most "unprofessional" as in unskilled in their ironwork of all of the tribal groups, with those accepting the wave theory generally agreeing that they were pushed back further and further by each new incursion.
I think the cord wrapped around the tip of the scabbard makes it look newer than it actually is.
Mike
|