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#1 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,247
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Hi All,
Technical question: Can someone explain to me the Toa or stick sword (from Solor Island, Indonesia), is different from the pisau raut, especially the oversized ones that have popped up here on occasion? A Toa just sold on oriental arms at this link. F |
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#2 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,287
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Fearn , just curious but do you remember the price of this toa ?
When I saw it it was simply marked sold . From what I have gathered toas are seldom seen weapons . (someone please correct me if I'm wrong with this part below) I suspect that the large pisau rauts were used for splitting rattan and the long haft rested on the shoulder while the two hands held the knife nearer the blade for control . |
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#3 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,247
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Hi Rick,
I didn't see the price either, which meant that someone got to it fast. I looked at the website early last week and didn't see the toa. At the end of the week, it was sold. Thanks for the info. I'm basically wondering whether the toa is essentially a weaponized pisau raut--basically, it primary functions as a weapon--or whether it is simply a local variant of the pisau raut, and it's primary function is as a tool. If that distinction makes sense.... F |
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#4 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,287
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Whereas the pisau raut is intended as a tool but could be used as a weapon (most anything with an edge can) , I'm really not sure if the toa is a combination axe / weapon .
Given the weight and size of the blade and the two handed grip the toa would be a most efficient weapon and a good jungle axe too ; very much like the panabas . My example is 34.5 inches overall with 20 inches of haft and 14.5 inches of heavy blade . Okay , I've been through Van Zonneveld's Traditional Weapons and after reading his description of the toa I get the impression that it is a fighting sword from his text . He also notes that most toas have a horn ferrule with metal being the rare exception ; IMO horn would not stand up very well to use on hard materials such as wood but it would be acceptable if used on softer materials like one's fellow man . ![]() Last edited by Rick; 30th January 2006 at 04:01 AM. Reason: Further thoughts |
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#5 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,287
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bump for edit of previous post .
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#6 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,247
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Hi Rick,
Thanks for the info. While I agree that horn might be a bit soft, Looking at your toa and the original one on oriental arms, I'm a bit confused. It looks like the handle is segments of horn, strung together on....what? The tang of the sword? If so, the whole thing might be sturdy enough to go hacking, wood as well as heads. Admittedly, I know nothing about the island of Solor, except that it's small and apparently had a Portuguese whaling port on it (if one believes wikipedia). Just at a guess, the "jungle" that these toas would hack through could easily be second growth scrub, rather than great big trees. Interesting blade. F |
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