Taiwanese Aboriginal Blades (need opinions before purchase)

yuanzhumin · 26th July 2015, 08:58 AM

Hello Dave,

I do agree with Bernard that these are not good items.

1- He is right when he says that there is a certain price to pay for Taiwanese knives. When authentic, average ones would be from 1000 USD (30000 TWD) to 5000 USD, the exceptional ones being able to reach 10000 USD, depending on the quality, age, provenance, tribe and rarity.

2-The one you are showing here are bad models made in the 50-60s for American troops stationed in the island. They are tourist items made 50-60 years ago that have been in addition bathed/dipped into a acid product to give them this "old/used" look. Believe me the authentic old ones are in better shape!

3-I would advise you if you really want one of these to follow the international auctions, some are popping up sometimes, but not cheap. or you can buy a new one, recently made by a taiwanese aborigine art craftsman/artisans. They are beautiful and cheap! Some of these knives have been discussed on this forum and some fellow collectors on this forum have bought some!

All the best,

Nicolas

varta · 28th July 2015, 10:24 AM

There are some good examples I uploaded at the end of The Philip Tom article on the Paiwan swords that Yuanzhumin posted some time ago.
(I believe it is better to make no compromise and enjoy the beauty of a old sword in a Museum rather than possessing something mediocre)

26th July 2015, 08:58 AM	#1
yuanzhumin Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Ex-Taipei, Taiwan, now in Shanghai, China Posts: 180	Taiwan aboriginal blades Hello Dave, I do agree with Bernard that these are not good items. 1- He is right when he says that there is a certain price to pay for Taiwanese knives. When authentic, average ones would be from 1000 USD (30000 TWD) to 5000 USD, the exceptional ones being able to reach 10000 USD, depending on the quality, age, provenance, tribe and rarity. 2-The one you are showing here are bad models made in the 50-60s for American troops stationed in the island. They are tourist items made 50-60 years ago that have been in addition bathed/dipped into a acid product to give them this "old/used" look. Believe me the authentic old ones are in better shape! 3-I would advise you if you really want one of these to follow the international auctions, some are popping up sometimes, but not cheap. or you can buy a new one, recently made by a taiwanese aborigine art craftsman/artisans. They are beautiful and cheap! Some of these knives have been discussed on this forum and some fellow collectors on this forum have bought some! All the best, Nicolas

28th July 2015, 10:24 AM	#2
varta Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Berlin-Paris Posts: 37	There are some good examples I uploaded at the end of The Philip Tom article on the Paiwan swords that Yuanzhumin posted some time ago. (I believe it is better to make no compromise and enjoy the beauty of a old sword in a Museum rather than possessing something mediocre)