A slightly unique Piha Kaetta

derek · 15th September 2007, 08:02 PM

There were several pihas included in a recent Australian estate sale. Several had unusual blades, but this one caught my eye. If ever there was a piha made for fighting, I think this one would be it.

The recurved grip is more rare than the simple curved version, but I've never seen one so plain. There is none of the typical floral work, and the brass eyelets are like no other piha I've seen. The blade is almost entirely undecorated with the exception of some simple brass inlay at the base, near the grip.

In one of the old articles I've read, it is noted that the more decorated examples came later. But even at that, the guilds that made them weren't around long after the British took over Ceylon in 1815. Looking at this one, the blade looks very old and the scales have shrunk with age. Out of the 30+ pihas I've owned, I think this one may well be the oldest by far.

Did anyone else on the forum get one of the others in the sale? The blades looked like meat cleavers. I would love to see some more pics!

Compared to another plain blade, but this recurved grip shows all the floral style you normally see on a piha:

A few other simpler blades:

spiral · 16th September 2007, 12:33 AM

Thats quite a collection Derek!

Whats the grip of your newest one made of?

Sadley Ive only ever handled one & know nothing about them.

Spiral

derek · 16th September 2007, 02:35 AM

Hi Spiral,

It has a grain like wood, but it's exceptionally smooth and dark.

I've currently got 25 really good examples. Some were Jerry Maskell's at one time (he had over 110 if I remember right). Still, I bet you've got more good kukris than that.....

rand · 16th September 2007, 02:45 AM

Hey Derek,

Have always thought these knives from Ceylon to be intrinsically beautiful. The symetry of th blade followed by the flowing decoration on the handle often carved from ivory. They seem to be over looked by most collectors still, its nice to see someone forming a collection and gathering information on them. There is something breath taking about the knives from Ceylon, they touch on form, function and art all at the same time.

rand

derek · 16th September 2007, 01:53 PM

Rand,
Couldn't have said it better!

Maskell · 16th September 2007, 03:19 PM

Glad to see your still enjoying the pihas, actually I had 111 of them. Nice that they are appreciated. The re curved grips ones are scarce, I had a few and were referred to as a "dog leg"

Best,
Jerry

15th September 2007, 08:02 PM	#1
derek Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 215	A slightly unique Piha Kaetta There were several pihas included in a recent Australian estate sale. Several had unusual blades, but this one caught my eye. If ever there was a piha made for fighting, I think this one would be it. The recurved grip is more rare than the simple curved version, but I've never seen one so plain. There is none of the typical floral work, and the brass eyelets are like no other piha I've seen. The blade is almost entirely undecorated with the exception of some simple brass inlay at the base, near the grip. In one of the old articles I've read, it is noted that the more decorated examples came later. But even at that, the guilds that made them weren't around long after the British took over Ceylon in 1815. Looking at this one, the blade looks very old and the scales have shrunk with age. Out of the 30+ pihas I've owned, I think this one may well be the oldest by far. Did anyone else on the forum get one of the others in the sale? The blades looked like meat cleavers. I would love to see some more pics! Compared to another plain blade, but this recurved grip shows all the floral style you normally see on a piha: A few other simpler blades:

16th September 2007, 02:45 AM	#4
rand Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 538	Piha Khata Hey Derek, Have always thought these knives from Ceylon to be intrinsically beautiful. The symetry of th blade followed by the flowing decoration on the handle often carved from ivory. They seem to be over looked by most collectors still, its nice to see someone forming a collection and gathering information on them. There is something breath taking about the knives from Ceylon, they touch on form, function and art all at the same time. rand

16th September 2007, 03:19 PM	#6
Maskell Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 38	Hi Derek Glad to see your still enjoying the pihas, actually I had 111 of them. Nice that they are appreciated. The re curved grips ones are scarce, I had a few and were referred to as a "dog leg" Best, Jerry

16th September 2007, 12:33 AM	#2
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Thats quite a collection Derek! Whats the grip of your newest one made of? Sadley Ive only ever handled one & know nothing about them. Spiral

16th September 2007, 02:35 AM	#3
derek Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 215	Hi Spiral, It has a grain like wood, but it's exceptionally smooth and dark. I've currently got 25 really good examples. Some were Jerry Maskell's at one time (he had over 110 if I remember right). Still, I bet you've got more good kukris than that.....

16th September 2007, 01:53 PM	#5
derek Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 215	Rand, Couldn't have said it better!