Interesting Piso Podang With Chinese Style Blade

CharlesS · 19th October 2008, 01:50 PM

Piso podangs with straight blades tend to be a little harder to come by, but this one struck me as especially unique owing to the somewhat unusually long length and style of the blade.

It is either a crudish Chinese jian blade, or more likely a Batak attempt to mimic one. The pattern welding technique is not unknown among piso podangs, but this one appears quite well done by comparison.

RSWORD · 19th October 2008, 02:54 PM

Could you get some better pics of the blade?

A very nice podang indeed. I like the jian-like blade and the lamination is quite interesting. I wouldn't rule out an Indian origin for the blade. Straight, double-edged blades are not unknown there and I have seen many tulwar blades that were forged with a high carbon edge plate with pattern welded cheeks. So the forging technique is there also and we know India has had long time trading routes established with Sumatra.

CharlesS · 19th October 2008, 05:29 PM

Perhaps a combination of Indian style forging on a Chinese style blade...if it was, indeed, Batak made???

I have seen some Indian blades straight in form and even with diamond sectioned blades, but never an Indian one quite so "jian-like".

The Chinese had also established trading communities throughout the archipelago.

VVV · 19th October 2008, 06:22 PM

Charles,

I think yours is an extraordinary Peninsular Malay chenangkas.
The reason why is in your mailbox now...

Michael

CharlesS · 19th October 2008, 08:12 PM

Thanks Michael, and excellent info.

19th October 2008, 01:50 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Interesting Piso Podang With Chinese Style Blade Piso podangs with straight blades tend to be a little harder to come by, but this one struck me as especially unique owing to the somewhat unusually long length and style of the blade. It is either a crudish Chinese jian blade, or more likely a Batak attempt to mimic one. The pattern welding technique is not unknown among piso podangs, but this one appears quite well done by comparison. Attached Images Last edited by CharlesS; 19th October 2008 at 05:31 PM.

19th October 2008, 02:54 PM	#2
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,083	Could you get some better pics of the blade? A very nice podang indeed. I like the jian-like blade and the lamination is quite interesting. I wouldn't rule out an Indian origin for the blade. Straight, double-edged blades are not unknown there and I have seen many tulwar blades that were forged with a high carbon edge plate with pattern welded cheeks. So the forging technique is there also and we know India has had long time trading routes established with Sumatra.

19th October 2008, 05:29 PM	#3
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Perhaps a combination of Indian style forging on a Chinese style blade...if it was, indeed, Batak made??? I have seen some Indian blades straight in form and even with diamond sectioned blades, but never an Indian one quite so "jian-like". The Chinese had also established trading communities throughout the archipelago.

19th October 2008, 06:22 PM	#4
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Charles, I think yours is an extraordinary Peninsular Malay chenangkas. The reason why is in your mailbox now... Michael

19th October 2008, 08:12 PM	#5
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Thanks Michael, and excellent info.