Odd Asian dagger

tom hyle · 22nd April 2005, 12:43 PM

An unusual Asian dagger on ebay: #6525134949 Blade is of tanto-ish shape, seems flat, and is chisel-bevelled with a swept tip typical of tanto/aikuchi, not the "arc-segment" tip common on daito. There is no clip nor swedge to the tip, and the spine seems to be simply square. Integral (to the handle) guard with smaller ferule below forming a short shaft before the blade ala khoumiya, thi, also resembles the sheath tensioners on dagger-mounted mata tombaks, but that is not feruled, and this does not insert in the sheath. Ferule is a rough/crude iron forging, while the blade seems ground for flatness, and the handle with expanded pommel is nicely and extensively carved (and set with a coin?). Is it a chrysanthemum on the pommel? The sheath looks like SE Asian ones, has lost its bindings (glue?) and looks to have a broken scabbard-slide/tying block. Ainu/Yemishi? Japanese? Tibetan? The coin may be the key; I've seen it somewhere before.....

<I just wanted to add, since Tom did not specify, that this auction has ended. -- Mark>

<Link added http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=6525134949

Lew · 22nd April 2005, 05:28 PM

Hi Tom

The blade seems to have a straight lamination in it I would think it is of Tibetan or Bhutanese manufacture.

Lew

RSWORD · 22nd April 2005, 08:25 PM

In looking closely at the blade it reminds me of a Sikin blade from Aceh. If you notice the slight groove just beneath the spine and the real straight spine and the angled tip(although that might be a slight modification) they all could point to an Aceh blade. Sword blades from there show similar effects. The lamination would also not be out of line for a piece from that region. The dress could also be of Sumatran origin. The scabbard with the worked in clip reminds me of many a Golok,Klewang from throughout the Pacific but the floral carvings in the handle I think are not too uncommon for this region either. So, my best guess would be a Sumatran parang/golok with a possibly remounted cut down Aceh sword blade.

Rick · 22nd April 2005, 10:05 PM

You know , I'm going agree with Lew on the origin of this sweet little knife . Let's head North Northeast quite a distance to Tibet or Bhutan .

Interesting that it's chisel ground .

I'd love to see a clear overall lamination pattern ; who's to say it isn't hairpin forged ?

fearn · 23rd April 2005, 12:21 AM

Hi Rick,

I won't necessarily disagree, except that I thought that Bhutanese blades had those open scabbards like Naga daos.

Fearn

Rick · 23rd April 2005, 12:57 AM

Hi Fearn , I took a stroll through Artzi's sold section and I'm not so sure that this is a hard and fast rule with Tibet / Bhutan E.W.'s .
This is obviously not a high status piece and may not have warranted an exposed blade .

22nd April 2005, 12:43 PM	#1
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	Odd Asian dagger An unusual Asian dagger on ebay: #6525134949 Blade is of tanto-ish shape, seems flat, and is chisel-bevelled with a swept tip typical of tanto/aikuchi, not the "arc-segment" tip common on daito. There is no clip nor swedge to the tip, and the spine seems to be simply square. Integral (to the handle) guard with smaller ferule below forming a short shaft before the blade ala khoumiya, thi, also resembles the sheath tensioners on dagger-mounted mata tombaks, but that is not feruled, and this does not insert in the sheath. Ferule is a rough/crude iron forging, while the blade seems ground for flatness, and the handle with expanded pommel is nicely and extensively carved (and set with a coin?). Is it a chrysanthemum on the pommel? The sheath looks like SE Asian ones, has lost its bindings (glue?) and looks to have a broken scabbard-slide/tying block. Ainu/Yemishi? Japanese? Tibetan? The coin may be the key; I've seen it somewhere before..... <I just wanted to add, since Tom did not specify, that this auction has ended. -- Mark> <Link added http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=6525134949 Last edited by Rick; 22nd April 2005 at 04:09 PM.

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22nd April 2005, 05:28 PM	#2
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Hi Tom The blade seems to have a straight lamination in it I would think it is of Tibetan or Bhutanese manufacture. Lew

22nd April 2005, 08:25 PM	#3
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,084	In looking closely at the blade it reminds me of a Sikin blade from Aceh. If you notice the slight groove just beneath the spine and the real straight spine and the angled tip(although that might be a slight modification) they all could point to an Aceh blade. Sword blades from there show similar effects. The lamination would also not be out of line for a piece from that region. The dress could also be of Sumatran origin. The scabbard with the worked in clip reminds me of many a Golok,Klewang from throughout the Pacific but the floral carvings in the handle I think are not too uncommon for this region either. So, my best guess would be a Sumatran parang/golok with a possibly remounted cut down Aceh sword blade.

22nd April 2005, 10:05 PM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	You know , I'm going agree with Lew on the origin of this sweet little knife . Let's head North Northeast quite a distance to Tibet or Bhutan . Interesting that it's chisel ground . I'd love to see a clear overall lamination pattern ; who's to say it isn't hairpin forged ?

23rd April 2005, 12:21 AM	#5
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	Hi Rick, I won't necessarily disagree, except that I thought that Bhutanese blades had those open scabbards like Naga daos. Fearn

23rd April 2005, 12:57 AM	#6
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	Hi Fearn , I took a stroll through Artzi's sold section and I'm not so sure that this is a hard and fast rule with Tibet / Bhutan E.W.'s . This is obviously not a high status piece and may not have warranted an exposed blade .