Formosa/Taiwan, dodgy pic gamble

Tim Simmons · 6th April 2007, 08:23 PM

I have just picked this. I tried various picture enhancing programs but not really much help. It is 66cm long. We will just have to wait untill it arrives. Under magnification, i have hopes that it is okay. If it is rubbish i have only lost two portions but with large chips. I can never eat them all anyway.

Henk · 7th April 2007, 09:09 AM

Hi Tim,

Not a very clear picture indeed. Hard to say something about it but the scabbard looks like a talibon from the Philippines. The hilt might be a replacement and about the blade I cann't say a thing.
Hope your gambling turns out good for you.

Rick · 7th April 2007, 04:04 PM

I think your conclusion is in the correct geographic area Tim.

The rarity here may be the straight blade as they are less common than the curved ones.

http://www.sevenstarstrading.com/articles/taiwan

Ian · 7th April 2007, 05:02 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, 05:25 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, 08:17 PM

Semi open front.

6th April 2007, 08:23 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,842	Formosa/Taiwan, dodgy pic gamble I have just picked this. I tried various picture enhancing programs but not really much help. It is 66cm long. We will just have to wait untill it arrives. Under magnification, i have hopes that it is okay. If it is rubbish i have only lost two portions but with large chips. I can never eat them all anyway.

7th April 2007, 05:02 PM	#4
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,361	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, 08:17 PM	#6
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	Semi open front. Attached Images

7th April 2007, 09:09 AM	#2
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Hi Tim, Not a very clear picture indeed. Hard to say something about it but the scabbard looks like a talibon from the Philippines. The hilt might be a replacement and about the blade I cann't say a thing. Hope your gambling turns out good for you.

7th April 2007, 04:04 PM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	I think your conclusion is in the correct geographic area Tim. The rarity here may be the straight blade as they are less common than the curved ones. http://www.sevenstarstrading.com/articles/taiwan

7th April 2007, 05:25 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,842	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.