Eunjangdo

Sajen · 26th February 2012, 01:45 PM

Hello,

recently this small dagger was sold by ebay. It was described as woman dagger from Korea, eunjangdo.
Would like to read your opinion about this dagger and get some more informations about this kind of dagger.

Regards,

Detlef

fearn · 26th February 2012, 04:58 PM

I agree with the description. That said, there appear to be some condition issues on the blade. I'm a little puzzled by the changes of wood color under the metalwork.

My understanding is its intended purpose was for a woman to defend her honor, in a society where a woman's place was defined by strongly Confucian values.

Best,

F

Sajen · 26th February 2012, 06:10 PM

Thanks a lot Fearn!

Nathaniel · 26th February 2012, 07:46 PM

Interesting! Always cool to see something I've never seen before! Thanks for sharing!

Sajen · 26th February 2012, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nathaniel

Interesting! Always cool to see something I've never seen before! Thanks for sharing!

Hi Nathaniel, I am with you, also never have seen a dagger like this before so I am seeking for informations.

Regards,

Detlef

Sajen · 28th April 2012, 10:42 AM

I have played the ebay gamble and win yesterday this one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/290700845009...84.m1439.l2649

What do you think about?

Regards,

Detlef

Lew · 28th April 2012, 07:32 PM

Sajen

You won yourself a nice puukko.

Congrats

Lew

Sajen · 28th April 2012, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lew

Sajen

You won yourself a nice puukko.

Congrats

Lew

Lew,

I think and hoped that it is an eunjangdo.

See for comparison the example in up. Maybe not so fancy like the one in up but I think that by this one I can be sure that it is authentic. And i like the well worked small blade with the mark.

Regards,

Detlef

Lew · 29th April 2012, 02:45 AM

Detlef

You can see one on Kellams website. It's listed under fixed blades.

http://www.kellamknives.com/index.ph...roducts_id=852

ariel · 29th April 2012, 06:23 AM

I am puzzled by the arabic(?) markings. Was it common on puukkos?

Sajen · 29th April 2012, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lew

Detlef

You can see one on Kellams website. It's listed under fixed blades.

http://www.kellamknives.com/index.ph...roducts_id=852

Hello Lew,

they are indeed very similar!

But look for example this pictures I found in the net. By the group picture look special the one in complete down on the right.

Regards,

Detlef

Sajen · 29th April 2012, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

I am puzzled by the arabic(?) markings. Was it common on puukkos?

This markings are also to seen by one which is actually for selling in the moment so I can't post pictures but will do when the auction is ended.

Regards,

Detlef

Henk · 29th April 2012, 11:05 AM

I'm rather convinced this is not a puukko. If it was a puukko you would have also a nice catch.

But the blade is different to that of the puukko or other scandinavian knives. Also the dress is a bit different. I can understand that Lew is seeing a puukko, but the difference in the dress is the metal strip or clip on the backside of the scabbard on wich the ring is attached. I've never seen something like that on scandinavian knives or puukkos.

The marking i don't know. Arabic? Maybe, but could also be an old asian language. As far as i know it is certainly not common on the puukko.

Sajen · 29th April 2012, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henk

I'm rather convinced this is not a puukko. If it was a puukko you would have also a nice catch.

But the blade is different to that of the puukko or other scandinavian knives. Also the dress is a bit different. I can understand that Lew is seeing a puukko, but the difference in the dress is the metal strip or clip on the backside of the scabbard on wich the ring is attached. I've never seen something like that on scandinavian knives or puukkos.

The marking i don't know. Arabic? Maybe, but could also be an old asian language. As far as i know it is certainly not common on the puukko.

Hello Henk,

agree with all you have written. And I am with you that I don't think that is an arabic writing. Would be nice to read what our arabic friends will say about this.

Regards,

Detlef

Lew · 29th April 2012, 01:40 PM

You learn something new every day that's what I love about the forum

.

Henk · 29th April 2012, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lew

You learn something new every day that's what I love about the forum

.

I agree absolutely with you Lew

Sajen · 29th April 2012, 03:52 PM

This is the reason why I love to be a member here!

Timo Nieminen · 2nd May 2012, 09:27 AM

Here's my one-and-only eunjangdo. Horn grip and scabbard, with silver(?) mounts. Unfortunately missing the mount over the underside and tip of the scabbard. It's very thin; the blade is 2.35 mm thick at the hilt, and the grip is 6.5 mm thick. The other side of the blade is flat.

I'm told by Koreans that these are, in terms of knife-use, purely suicide/self-defense knives (either being seen as acceptable for rape prevention), rather than being used for any kind of everyday utility tasks. Primarily for suicide, but killing the attacker would not be seen as dishonorable. For upper-class women only. Whether that means nobility or nobility + yangban (i.e., Korean gentry), I don't know, but I think the latter.

It also functioned as decoration and, more importantly, an indicator of class.

Sajen · 2nd May 2012, 06:43 PM

Hello Timo,

thank you for sharing the pictures of your nice example as well the further informations.

Here one which was sold recently by ebay but I believe that this one is not very old but a nice looking one with a similar mark at the blade. Grip and scabbard from white horn.

Regards,

Detlef

Rick · 3rd May 2012, 01:13 AM

I have concerns about the 'antiquity' of many of these pieces .

'Vintage' as a word covers a very wide swath ..

Sajen · 3rd May 2012, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

I have concerns about the 'antiquity' of many of these pieces .

'Vintage' as a word covers a very wide swath ..

Hello Rick,

agree with you. The one I buy seems to be purchased from a american vet who fight in the Korea War. The seller told me like this and he have sold some other Korea items recently. So when my one is from this time it isn't antique. And the pictures don't show the age so I have to wait until I have it in my hands. Will post pictures when I have received it.

Regards,

Detlef

Timo Nieminen · 3rd May 2012, 09:46 PM

They still make these, and jangdo in general (jangdo = decorated knife, eunjango = silver decorated knife). Jangdo also includes knives for men (which can be much larger than the tiny women's eunjangdo), and eating/utility knives.

Some of them are of very high quality, with high prices to match. The modern cruder ones might be the cheap version. So not fakes as such, but modern costume pieces.

Up to the Japanese colonisation, these were everyday wear (for the appropriate classes).

Sajen · 7th May 2012, 09:13 PM

Thank you Timo, I think this thread is now very informative about this knifes. So i think when I see nice ones I will post them here.

Here one just ended by ebay but wasn't sold.

Regards,

Detlef

Timo Nieminen · 21st October 2012, 01:01 AM

Here is one rather like the one in post #6. Simple compared to the fancier ones in this thread. The "inscription" on the blade is the same as the ones in posts #6 and #19.

Dom · 21st October 2012, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

Would be nice to read what our arabic friends will say about this.

Hi
very fancy knife,
but the writting is what ever you want ... as language

except ... Arabic

all the best

à +

Dom

Sajen · 21st October 2012, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timo Nieminen

Here is one rather like the one in post #6. Simple compared to the fancier ones in this thread. The "inscription" on the blade is the same as the ones in posts #6 and #19.

Hello Timo,

is it yours? When yes, can you post better pictures from the writing on the blade?

Regards,

Detlef

Sajen · 21st October 2012, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dom

Hi
very fancy knife,
but the writting is what ever you want ... as language

except ... Arabic

all the best

à +

Dom

Hi Dom,

think that it will be korean writing.

Regards,

Detlef

Timo Nieminen · 21st October 2012, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hello Timo,

is it yours? When yes, can you post better pictures from the writing on the blade?

Yes, mine. A picture good enough to see it clearly will require a visit to a better camera than mine (even if mine cooperates and focusses, I don't think it will be clear enough). Will see if I can get a better one.

Essentially, the same as the other ones. I don't know what it means. It isn't recognised as writing by (typical modern) Koreans. If it is a script, it is probably
Siddham, a Sanskrit-derived script still used for Buddhist inscriptions in East Asia (called "Bonji" in Japan).

ariel · 21st October 2012, 12:16 PM

AFAIK, old Korean weapons are very rare. Thus, sudden appearance of large number of them on e-bay, all belonging to the same subgroup ( women's dagger), many with identical markings makes me think you know what:-)

Sajen · 21st October 2012, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

AFAIK, old Korean weapons are very rare. Thus, sudden appearance of large number of them on e-bay, all belonging to the same subgroup ( women's dagger), many with identical markings makes me think you know what:-)

Of course I can only speak for the one I have had (I have resell it again), it was definitely used and old, the signs of wear told me this.

Regards,

Detlef

2nd May 2012, 09:27 AM	#18
Timo Nieminen Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 422	Here's my one-and-only eunjangdo. Horn grip and scabbard, with silver(?) mounts. Unfortunately missing the mount over the underside and tip of the scabbard. It's very thin; the blade is 2.35 mm thick at the hilt, and the grip is 6.5 mm thick. The other side of the blade is flat. I'm told by Koreans that these are, in terms of knife-use, purely suicide/self-defense knives (either being seen as acceptable for rape prevention), rather than being used for any kind of everyday utility tasks. Primarily for suicide, but killing the attacker would not be seen as dishonorable. For upper-class women only. Whether that means nobility or nobility + yangban (i.e., Korean gentry), I don't know, but I think the latter. It also functioned as decoration and, more importantly, an indicator of class. Attached Images

7th May 2012, 09:13 PM	#23
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,126	Thank you Timo, I think this thread is now very informative about this knifes. So i think when I see nice ones I will post them here. Here one just ended by ebay but wasn't sold. Regards, Detlef Attached Images

21st October 2012, 01:01 AM	#24
Timo Nieminen Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 422	Here is one rather like the one in post #6. Simple compared to the fancier ones in this thread. The "inscription" on the blade is the same as the ones in posts #6 and #19. Attached Images

26th February 2012, 01:45 PM	#1
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,126	Eunjangdo Hello, recently this small dagger was sold by ebay. It was described as woman dagger from Korea, eunjangdo. Would like to read your opinion about this dagger and get some more informations about this kind of dagger. Regards, Detlef Attached Images

26th February 2012, 04:58 PM	#2
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	I agree with the description. That said, there appear to be some condition issues on the blade. I'm a little puzzled by the changes of wood color under the metalwork. My understanding is its intended purpose was for a woman to defend her honor, in a society where a woman's place was defined by strongly Confucian values. Best, F

26th February 2012, 06:10 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,126	Thanks a lot Fearn!

26th February 2012, 07:46 PM	#4
Nathaniel Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 865	Interesting! Always cool to see something I've never seen before! Thanks for sharing!

28th April 2012, 10:42 AM	#6
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,126	I have played the ebay gamble and win yesterday this one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/290700845009...84.m1439.l2649 What do you think about? Regards, Detlef Attached Images

28th April 2012, 07:32 PM	#7
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Sajen You won yourself a nice puukko. Congrats Lew

29th April 2012, 02:45 AM	#9
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Detlef You can see one on Kellams website. It's listed under fixed blades. http://www.kellamknives.com/index.ph...roducts_id=852

29th April 2012, 06:23 AM	#10
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	I am puzzled by the arabic(?) markings. Was it common on puukkos?

29th April 2012, 11:05 AM	#13
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	I'm rather convinced this is not a puukko. If it was a puukko you would have also a nice catch. But the blade is different to that of the puukko or other scandinavian knives. Also the dress is a bit different. I can understand that Lew is seeing a puukko, but the difference in the dress is the metal strip or clip on the backside of the scabbard on wich the ring is attached. I've never seen something like that on scandinavian knives or puukkos. The marking i don't know. Arabic? Maybe, but could also be an old asian language. As far as i know it is certainly not common on the puukko.

29th April 2012, 01:40 PM	#15
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	You learn something new every day that's what I love about the forum .

29th April 2012, 03:52 PM	#17
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,126	This is the reason why I love to be a member here!

2nd May 2012, 06:43 PM	#19
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,126	Hello Timo, thank you for sharing the pictures of your nice example as well the further informations. Here one which was sold recently by ebay but I believe that this one is not very old but a nice looking one with a similar mark at the blade. Grip and scabbard from white horn. Regards, Detlef Attached Images

3rd May 2012, 01:13 AM	#20
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,325	I have concerns about the 'antiquity' of many of these pieces . 'Vintage' as a word covers a very wide swath ..

3rd May 2012, 09:46 PM	#22
Timo Nieminen Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 422	They still make these, and jangdo in general (jangdo = decorated knife, eunjango = silver decorated knife). Jangdo also includes knives for men (which can be much larger than the tiny women's eunjangdo), and eating/utility knives. Some of them are of very high quality, with high prices to match. The modern cruder ones might be the cheap version. So not fakes as such, but modern costume pieces. Up to the Japanese colonisation, these were everyday wear (for the appropriate classes).

21st October 2012, 12:16 PM	#29
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	AFAIK, old Korean weapons are very rare. Thus, sudden appearance of large number of them on e-bay, all belonging to the same subgroup ( women's dagger), many with identical markings makes me think you know what:-)