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#1 |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Minneapolis,MN
Posts: 336
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Hello All,
I recently aquired these two talibons and wanted to share them. I'll mostly let the pictures speak for themselves, but in particular I had one question about them: how old are they likely to be? I tend to group talibons into two groups: 1) Late 19th/early 20th century ones, with the tripartite butt, thumb rest and often the eye on the scabbard, perhaps properly called "Garabs". These are a lot scarcer and usually significantly out of my price range. Someday I will have one of these, but that day is not today. 2) WWII and latter. Often smaller, perhaps made "for those who travel." These are quite common, and well within my price range (maybe too much so, as the family photo will attest), and with very divergent forms. If my thinking is incorrect in any of this please say so. Regardless, these two here don't seem to neatly fall into either of these categories, and so they confuse me. Both match the overall profile of the first group better, but not quite. Neither has a thumb or an eye (though the bigger one does have a suspicious hole on the back of the scabbard). I suspect the bigger one might be older, but I don't have anything solid to back that up. Anyone have any thoughts? Thanks in advance, Leif |
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#2 |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Minneapolis,MN
Posts: 336
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Because I'm a nerd.
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#3 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The Aussie Bush
Posts: 4,165
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Hi Leif:
I like these neat little knives too. For several years I accumulated them because they varied so much and they were well made. The inscriptions often found on the scabbards are interesting too. Your latest two examples belong firmly in your second group, even though the hilts are a "throw back" to an earlier style. The looping around of the lower part of the hilt to protect the fingers is not traditional, and dates from the mid-1940s as far as I know. I would put both of them as mid-20th C. in manufacture. Ian. |
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#4 | |
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Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Minneapolis,MN
Posts: 336
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As always you are a font of knowledge. I hadn't thought about the "knuckle guard." Thanks very much. Leif |
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#5 |
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Join Date: Apr 2005
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Hello Leif,
I'm with Ian on your 2 acquisitions. From the pics, I might even argue that the lower blade is of better quality. I'd recommend to etch all these blades: While some might be indeed from monosteel, some will probably be laminated and allow a glimpse on the blacksmith's work. BTW, allowing for plenty of overlap, I'd be tempted to suggest 3 groupings: 19th century (and possibly earlier): These truly antique pieces really command top prices these days. I still have a status piece waiting for me in the US and haven't seen a bargain in a long while. However, if you look for pieces that are not easy to restore (shattered or missing scabbards, considerably damaged hilts, etc.), you still may be able to grab an affordable oldie! 20th century (pre-WW2): Mostly usage of quality materials; variable workmanship (quick decline of traditional designs though). These are still undervalued IMHO and with patience & luck you can make good scores, especially in the US. It also stands to reason that some antique "villagers" may hide in this category (i. e. plain user pieces for common folks), some with possibly with replaced fittings... Modern (WW2 and later): Very variable workmanship and materials; partly use of modern materials (aluminium, plastic); new designs developing. I know it's tough to let things pass on ePray. However, I'd suggest to build up funds by letting some modern examples pass and try to wait for pieces from the second category. There may be some gems, especially among the damaged/incomplete ones; and it would be good to rescue them from the dumpster and save them for posterity! Regards, Kai |
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#6 |
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
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Hello Leif,
I think as well that you can find three or four groups of this blades. The first one are the "garabs", the high end pieces with very good blades, you can find here many pictured by searching, here is my decent one: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hlight=talibon Second group would be the user, there are fighters and also working talibons, see for example here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hlight=talibon and here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hlight=talibon At third group are the WWII ones, sometimes very fancy, see here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hlight=talibon Your family exists from working pieces of the second group and the most from the third group. Feel the handles, are they worked for use or they are only fancy? Look for the patination. The from me shown examples have been all affordable. I think that Ian accumulated them to a time when they still have been very cheap. Here is another very interesting thread you will enjoy: http://www.vikingsword.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001242.html Regards, Detlef |
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#7 | |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The Aussie Bush
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I like dogs and had a fondness for dog-headed talibon, and still have a couple left -- see attached pictures. Ian. |
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#8 | |||
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Location: Minneapolis,MN
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I'll have to try etching some of them. I'm not terribly good at it yet, and haven't had great results with the blades I've tried. Quote:
Quote:
Thanks you very much for your feedback, Leif Last edited by Rafngard; 14th January 2017 at 08:45 PM. |
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#9 | ||
Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Minneapolis,MN
Posts: 336
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Quote:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=20262 As always, thank you for your comments. Thanks, Leif |
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#10 | ||
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Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Minneapolis,MN
Posts: 336
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Thanks, Leif |
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#11 | |
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
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Best regards, Detlef |
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#12 |
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Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Minneapolis,MN
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[QUOTE=Sajen]
But the 4., 8., 9. and 11. piece from the left on your family pictures seems to be good canditates to be counted to this group. /QUOTE] Perfect 9 & 11 were the ones I was thinking about. Thanks, Leif |
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