Bhutan Sword ?

Rick · 3rd December 2004, 07:12 PM

Mid 20th Century ?
For the trade ?
Blade is hand forged 1/4" thick , 19" not much taper .
Handle is 6" .
An inexpensive curiousity purchase .

dennee · 4th December 2004, 12:27 AM

It looks like a knife or short sword of the Baiwan (Paiwan in Wade-Giles) people of Taiwan, although it does share the open scabbard of the Lepcha ban from Sikkim and a resemblance to the single-edged blade shape typical of Bhutan.

Rick · 4th December 2004, 12:31 AM

Never seen a hilt like this one before , everything held on by tiny tacks .
Looks to me like tin and M.O.P. <scratches head>

VANDOO · 4th December 2004, 03:45 AM

I HAVE A VERY SIMULAR KNIFE FROM BUTHAN I WOULD ALSO GUESS WITHIN THE LAST 50 YEARS BUT A NICE ETHINOGRAPHIC PIECE MOST LIKELY USED ONLY FOR CEREMONYS, WEDINGS ECT. YOURS IS ONLY THE SECOND I HAVE SEEN, I SUSPECT THERE MAY BE A SUPPLY IN BUTHAN BUT NOT MANY TOURISTS GO THERE AND FEW WOULD BRING OUT A EDGED WEAPON FOR A SOUVINEER SO THEY ARE SELDOM SEEN.

Ian · 4th December 2004, 04:15 AM

My first thought was Baiwan also. The hilt shape is very reminiscent, as well as the turned up toe of the scabbard. Note, too, the suspension system with the two holes in the back of the scabbard through which the cord is threaded, which is a characteristic arrangement for the knives from several Taiwanese tribal groups.

Mid-20th C. seems about right based on the materials and general condition. Where did you find it, Rick?

Ian.

P.S. Rick, if you look at Sharrod Anderson's article on Baiwan knives on the old EEWRS site, the second picture of knives (bottom example) shows similar disks adorning the hilt. Ian.

Rick · 4th December 2004, 04:28 AM

Ebay Ian , the blade has a full tang , slight curve , and is weighty and sharp . The hilt and scabbard must have a million tiny tacks holding the decorations on .
Someone put a lot of time into making this sword .

I have just hit the blade with 0000 wool and given it a light etch .
Doesn't seem to be any activity that I can see .

After reading the article I found the faces on the sides of the hilt .
Really unique application work that is 98% still there .
Definitely Baiwan .

I do feel like an idiot for not checking our own resource site .

I'm going to need a bigger wall ......

Federico · 4th December 2004, 08:00 AM

Just curious at how the hilt feels in the hand, do all the little do-dads feel comfortable or are they as pokey as they seem to look?

Rick · 4th December 2004, 08:14 AM

They feel kind of pokey , nothing on the hilt is loose but it just feels sort of delicate .

What an incredible amount of close delicate work with nailing those tiny objects into the wood , I believe the nails go through miniscule brass collars then into the piece to be attached .

The tang is bent over a metal pommel plate as described in the article .

The blade on closer examination looks like it is san mai style forging .
The spine of the blade curves 3/16" over its length and I have noticed a subtle distal taper .

wilked aka Khun Deng · 5th December 2004, 01:16 PM

What a nice find. I just came through the airport in Taipei where they have a disply of the aboriginal artifacts. From what I hear this stuff is pretty rare. They didn't have any weapons but the patterns are a definate match. The patterns struck me as having many similiarities to the Austalian aborigines.
Again nice find!

Rick · 5th December 2004, 04:34 PM

Thanks Wilk !
Ya know the more I look at it the more I think it was maybe not made expressly for some world traveler to buy ..

I re-etched the blade and the san mai style construction is now much easier to see .

Ian · 5th December 2004, 05:43 PM

Rick:

Sounds like you found a sleeper. The blade and other elements seems as though they are traditionally made, albeit in somewhat unusual, modern materials.

Congrats.

Ian.

Rick · 5th December 2004, 06:01 PM

I wish the photos in Mr. Andersons article were larger and clearer .

Does anyone have better photos of this style of sword ?

From my reading I'm coming to the the conclusion that this is a Southern tribe style .

I GIS 'ed for images and it seems Valiantco. made an example but their site seems defunct now .

3rd December 2004, 07:12 PM	#1
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	Bhutan Sword ? Mid 20th Century ? For the trade ? Blade is hand forged 1/4" thick , 19" not much taper . Handle is 6" . An inexpensive curiousity purchase . Attached Images Last edited by Rick; 3rd December 2004 at 07:26 PM.

4th December 2004, 12:31 AM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	A Real Puzzler Never seen a hilt like this one before , everything held on by tiny tacks . Looks to me like tin and M.O.P. <scratches head> Last edited by Rick; 4th December 2004 at 01:26 AM.

4th December 2004, 04:15 AM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,207	Looks Baiwan My first thought was Baiwan also. The hilt shape is very reminiscent, as well as the turned up toe of the scabbard. Note, too, the suspension system with the two holes in the back of the scabbard through which the cord is threaded, which is a characteristic arrangement for the knives from several Taiwanese tribal groups. Mid-20th C. seems about right based on the materials and general condition. Where did you find it, Rick? Ian. P.S. Rick, if you look at Sharrod Anderson's article on Baiwan knives on the old EEWRS site, the second picture of knives (bottom example) shows similar disks adorning the hilt. Ian. Last edited by Ian; 4th December 2004 at 04:56 AM. Reason: Another thought ...

4th December 2004, 04:28 AM	#6
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	You Nailed it ! Ebay Ian , the blade has a full tang , slight curve , and is weighty and sharp . The hilt and scabbard must have a million tiny tacks holding the decorations on . Someone put a lot of time into making this sword . I have just hit the blade with 0000 wool and given it a light etch . Doesn't seem to be any activity that I can see . After reading the article I found the faces on the sides of the hilt . Really unique application work that is 98% still there . Definitely Baiwan . I do feel like an idiot for not checking our own resource site . I'm going to need a bigger wall ...... Last edited by Rick; 4th December 2004 at 07:48 AM.

4th December 2004, 08:14 AM	#8
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	They feel kind of pokey , nothing on the hilt is loose but it just feels sort of delicate . What an incredible amount of close delicate work with nailing those tiny objects into the wood , I believe the nails go through miniscule brass collars then into the piece to be attached . The tang is bent over a metal pommel plate as described in the article . The blade on closer examination looks like it is san mai style forging . The spine of the blade curves 3/16" over its length and I have noticed a subtle distal taper . Attached Images Last edited by Rick; 7th December 2004 at 12:28 AM.

4th December 2004, 12:27 AM	#2
dennee Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: College Park, MD Posts: 186	It looks like a knife or short sword of the Baiwan (Paiwan in Wade-Giles) people of Taiwan, although it does share the open scabbard of the Lepcha ban from Sikkim and a resemblance to the single-edged blade shape typical of Bhutan.

4th December 2004, 03:45 AM	#4
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	I HAVE A VERY SIMULAR KNIFE FROM BUTHAN I WOULD ALSO GUESS WITHIN THE LAST 50 YEARS BUT A NICE ETHINOGRAPHIC PIECE MOST LIKELY USED ONLY FOR CEREMONYS, WEDINGS ECT. YOURS IS ONLY THE SECOND I HAVE SEEN, I SUSPECT THERE MAY BE A SUPPLY IN BUTHAN BUT NOT MANY TOURISTS GO THERE AND FEW WOULD BRING OUT A EDGED WEAPON FOR A SOUVINEER SO THEY ARE SELDOM SEEN.

4th December 2004, 08:00 AM	#7
Federico Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA Posts: 312	Just curious at how the hilt feels in the hand, do all the little do-dads feel comfortable or are they as pokey as they seem to look?

5th December 2004, 01:16 PM	#9
wilked aka Khun Deng Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Oahu, Hawaii Posts: 166	TAIPEI What a nice find. I just came through the airport in Taipei where they have a disply of the aboriginal artifacts. From what I hear this stuff is pretty rare. They didn't have any weapons but the patterns are a definate match. The patterns struck me as having many similiarities to the Austalian aborigines. Again nice find!

5th December 2004, 04:34 PM	#10
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	Thanks Wilk ! Ya know the more I look at it the more I think it was maybe not made expressly for some world traveler to buy .. I re-etched the blade and the san mai style construction is now much easier to see .

5th December 2004, 05:43 PM	#11
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,207	Good find Rick: Sounds like you found a sleeper. The blade and other elements seems as though they are traditionally made, albeit in somewhat unusual, modern materials. Congrats. Ian.

5th December 2004, 06:01 PM	#12
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	Very Frustrating I wish the photos in Mr. Andersons article were larger and clearer . Does anyone have better photos of this style of sword ? From my reading I'm coming to the the conclusion that this is a Southern tribe style . I GIS 'ed for images and it seems Valiantco. made an example but their site seems defunct now .