Formosa Hill Tribe Swords ( for Yuanzhumin )

kronckew · 18th February 2022, 01:27 AM

Thought I'd ressurect and add to this old comprehensive thread. Comments welcome.
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Recently acquired a modern traditionally made Formosan (Taiwanese) Lalaw.
71 cm. overall in scabbard.
41 cm. blade, 5.5 cm. at widest. Distal tapered spine 6 mm. at grip,3 mm. just behind the point.

Sharp, convex grind. Hammered black forge finish. Through tang peened over pommel cap.
14 cm. grip
460 grams ex. scabbard.
Scabbard & grip is stained/varnished (not opaque painted), reddish, with black stained decorations on scabbard, wood grain shows thru.
Red Bronze (Samrit?) fittings & staples. Braided/spliced (cotton?) baldric.

See also : Preliminary Classification of Taiwanese knives & swords from August 2020.

Koxinga · 18th February 2022, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kronckew

Thought I'd ressurect and add to this old comprehensive thread. Comments welcome.
================================================== ===

See also : Preliminary Classification of Taiwanese knives & swords from August 2020.

Thanks for sharing my article!
I believe the Lalaw you have there was made by Cas Hanwei, modeled after the Seediq slmadac that was used for the movie Seediq Bale:
https://www.caesars.com.sg/fixed-bla...al-sword-.html

As far as I’m aware, Northern indigenous Taiwanese Knives tended to have a single beveled chisel grind, and the hand hammered appearance is more of a modern stylistic choice. The tang is usually bent over rather than peened if it is exposed at all. The fittings should be tied to the holes on the side of the scabbard rather than the top.
The decorated scabbard is rare but not unseen in northern blades.

Hopefully this was helpful

JeffS · 18th February 2022, 11:34 AM

An antique of that style recently sold at auction (Tully's, described as a Moro barong). I have seen and admired new Atayal blades like yours but had not, until this auction, seen what it was modeled after - with the distinct handle shape and red/black color scheme and designs. I'm still gutted that someone else spotted it and outbid me.

kronckew · 18th February 2022, 05:08 PM

I saw that one too, went for more money than i could afford.

Ian · 19th February 2022, 06:37 AM

I saw that lot also and actually placed a bid. I was outbid nearly fourfold by the winner. I think one of the other items, what may have been a gold decorated khoummya with rhino hilt, drew the high bid.

I believe the Taiwan knife is from one of the Pingpu clans and dated to the 19th C. A rare and very nice transitional example to the more sinocized versions of the late 19th and 20th C. BTW, I think kronckew's post above is also in the Pingpu style of the 19th C. For more information, search for "Pingpu knife Taiwan."

Win some/lose some.

kronckew · 12th April 2022, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

... I think kronckew's post above is also in the Pingpu style of the 19th C. For more information, search for "Pingpu knife Taiwan."
...

I searched, found a few examples of pingpu knives with red & decorated scabbards similar to my Hanwei one, also noted that not all were chisel ground, tho the convex edge and hammer finish are more modern interpretations. I might move the baldric to the 4 holes in the back at some point. I just acquired a set of 'south american' knives,

, on their way here. They are touristy and were very cheap

, but thought they might fit next to the pingu/hanwei lalaw one. Better'n a poke in the eye with a sharp stick tho.

Was more curious about the clip point knife. the sword one looks like the blade might need reseating. I gather these were postwar for US troops on leave. will be interesting to see if the blades are any good. Still, while not exactly common here, I saw a duplicate of the sword at a different auction. That guy on the grips with the spiky hat gets around a bit.

kronckew · 14th April 2022, 02:06 PM

Items above arrived today. Clip point knife is a POS - Piece of sh... - er, junk. 1mm steel blade.not a hint of sharpening or bevel. will go in the oops box in the outside store room later.

Sword has an 18in. 4mm thick, 1.25 in. wide. Good part is it's flat left side, chisel grind on the right, and sort of sharp. been rode hard and put away wet as my BIL woulda said on his cattle ranch.blade tang had moved out of the handle a bit, I was gonna pull it out all the way & get some sticky stuff in the hole, gave it a tap on the table with the pommel, to see it it'd move in further, it went in all the way and I can't pull it out, so I'll leave well enough alone. bolster is tight again up against the tang shoulders. Cleaned loose red rust off the flat side of the blade & a few spots on the other. Simply carved Scabbard is coloured mahogany colour & is carved and closed both sides has a small loop of brownish cord and a two holed toggle, for a belt suspension... can't afford (or find) a real antique one yet, so it'll do for now.

18th February 2022, 01:27 AM	#1
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	Thought I'd ressurect and add to this old comprehensive thread. Comments welcome. ================================================== === Recently acquired a modern traditionally made Formosan (Taiwanese) Lalaw. 71 cm. overall in scabbard. 41 cm. blade, 5.5 cm. at widest. Distal tapered spine 6 mm. at grip,3 mm. just behind the point. Sharp, convex grind. Hammered black forge finish. Through tang peened over pommel cap. 14 cm. grip 460 grams ex. scabbard. Scabbard & grip is stained/varnished (not opaque painted), reddish, with black stained decorations on scabbard, wood grain shows thru. Red Bronze (Samrit?) fittings & staples. Braided/spliced (cotton?) baldric. See also : Preliminary Classification of Taiwanese knives & swords from August 2020. Attached Images Last edited by kronckew; 18th February 2022 at 02:04 AM.

18th February 2022, 11:34 AM	#3
JeffS Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 423	An antique of that style recently sold at auction (Tully's, described as a Moro barong). I have seen and admired new Atayal blades like yours but had not, until this auction, seen what it was modeled after - with the distinct handle shape and red/black color scheme and designs. I'm still gutted that someone else spotted it and outbid me. Attached Images

18th February 2022, 05:08 PM	#4
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	I saw that one too, went for more money than i could afford.

19th February 2022, 06:37 AM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,361	I saw that lot also and actually placed a bid. I was outbid nearly fourfold by the winner. I think one of the other items, what may have been a gold decorated khoummya with rhino hilt, drew the high bid. I believe the Taiwan knife is from one of the Pingpu clans and dated to the 19th C. A rare and very nice transitional example to the more sinocized versions of the late 19th and 20th C. BTW, I think kronckew's post above is also in the Pingpu style of the 19th C. For more information, search for "Pingpu knife Taiwan." Win some/lose some.

14th April 2022, 02:06 PM	#7
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	Items above arrived today. Clip point knife is a POS - Piece of sh... - er, junk. 1mm steel blade.not a hint of sharpening or bevel. will go in the oops box in the outside store room later. Sword has an 18in. 4mm thick, 1.25 in. wide. Good part is it's flat left side, chisel grind on the right, and sort of sharp. been rode hard and put away wet as my BIL woulda said on his cattle ranch.blade tang had moved out of the handle a bit, I was gonna pull it out all the way & get some sticky stuff in the hole, gave it a tap on the table with the pommel, to see it it'd move in further, it went in all the way and I can't pull it out, so I'll leave well enough alone. bolster is tight again up against the tang shoulders. Cleaned loose red rust off the flat side of the blade & a few spots on the other. Simply carved Scabbard is coloured mahogany colour & is carved and closed both sides has a small loop of brownish cord and a two holed toggle, for a belt suspension... can't afford (or find) a real antique one yet, so it'll do for now.