An unusual shark tooth sword

Ian · 9th August 2006, 10:04 PM

There was a nice thread or two on the Old Forum about these.

Here: http://www.vikingsword.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/002203.html

And here: http://www.vikingsword.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/002297.html

Ian.

katana · 9th August 2006, 10:20 PM

Thanks Ian.....I have heard of these type of weapons... but never seen a picture.
After quickly scanning the links you provided, I can see the debate about tourist/genuine ethnic ..rearing its head. It makes logical sense to me that this type of weapon must have evolved at some time in some ethnic communities. But, as improved materials and weapons came about...these would become obsolete......such is the process of evolution

Tim, an interesting object.....also facinating is how many diverse communities have scarification and blood letting embroiled in their customs.

BSMStar · 9th August 2006, 10:40 PM

I have seen swords that appear to be made from a saw fish... this sword is made of shark teeth set into wood. These are still up for sale in places like the Republic of Kiribati (Fanning Island or Tabuaeran), sold as a souvenirs (these are not very functional). I was told, at one time... they were actually made for functional use. I have to be careful handling mine. oouch!

There was an earlier post on an auction that looked like it was made from a saw fish.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=fish

fearn · 10th August 2006, 04:02 AM

Wow, this brings back memories.

Here's the 30 second summary: There are a couple of basic ways to mount shark's teeth that differ in Polynesia (i.e. Hawaii) and Micronesia (i.e. Kiribati). It's unclear whether Melanesia has a characteristic method(s), and that's where we need more research.

In Polynesian examples, the shark teeth are separately embedded in individual holes, and they're held in place by sennit threads that pass through the holes in the wood and through a hole in the tooth. In the Micronesian method (most examples from Kiribati, a few from Truk in the old books), the teeth are braced by two splints a few millimeters across, and the whole assemblage of teeth and splints is lashed to the outside of a stick.

It's fun to speculate about why the separate methods were used. My guess is that the more restricted palette of materials available on the atolls of Kiribati or Truk meant that they didn't have good tools for gouging slots for the teeth, nor did they have good wood for that use. In Polynesia, they had greater choice for wood and stone tools, and they could mount shark's teeth more securely.

Note that the size and shape of the weapon do not appear to affect the way the teeth were mounted. Whether the weapon was a knuckle duster or a polearm, it seems the teeth were mounted in their separate, characteristic ways on the different islands.

As an aside, I just finished reading a fairly humorous memoir about living on modern Kiribati. It's called The Sex Lives of Cannibals by Troost, not that it's about sex or cannibalism. Great thing to read on the plane.

F

Jay Jay · 10th August 2006, 09:37 AM

The National Museum of Denmark has a collection of sharktooth weapons, and these should be real weapon (unless the museum's really losing it).
I think I have some pictures somewhere... I'll post them if I find them.

BSMStar · 10th August 2006, 10:01 PM

Here are some pics of the tourist "knife" I picked up on Fanning....

katana · 10th August 2006, 10:25 PM

May not be functional but..it does have 'charm' ....a nice tourist piece.

BSMStar · 11th August 2006, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay Jay

The National Museum of Denmark has a collection of sharktooth weapons, and these should be real weapon (unless the museum's really losing it).

I believe they are real weapons... one has to keep in mind the availability of resources on an atoll. You are not going to find steel (unless imported). You have coral, coral sand, coconut palms and what the sea provides (birds and land crustaceans). There is not much there. It is only logical to turn shark's teeth into a weapon. It worked for the shark.

katana · 11th August 2006, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSMStar

I believe they are real weapons... one has to keep in mind the availability of resources on an atoll. You are not going to find steel (unless imported). You have coral, coral sand, coconut palms and what the sea provides (birds and land crustaceans). There is not much there. It is only logical to turn shark's teeth into a weapon. It worked for the shark.

I agree totally......afterall early knives were knapped flint fixed to wooden handles. In areas where there is no flint or metal, other natural resources would be used. Nature took millions of years to 'perfect' the design of sharks teeth.... an excellent killing machine.

Combined with the symbolism of the shark's power.......you have a perfect 'sea side' accessory ....to fight off the bullies that keep treading on your newly constructed 'sand castles'

JayJay......thanks for the photos, the 'armour' does seem to suggest that these swords were commonly used weapons.

10th August 2006, 10:01 PM	#6
BSMStar Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kansas City, MO USA Posts: 312	Here are some pics of the tourist "knife" I picked up on Fanning.... Attached Images

9th August 2006, 10:04 PM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,397	There was a nice thread or two on the Old Forum about these. Here: http://www.vikingsword.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/002203.html And here: http://www.vikingsword.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/002297.html Ian.

9th August 2006, 10:20 PM	#2
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Thanks Ian.....I have heard of these type of weapons... but never seen a picture. After quickly scanning the links you provided, I can see the debate about tourist/genuine ethnic ..rearing its head. It makes logical sense to me that this type of weapon must have evolved at some time in some ethnic communities. But, as improved materials and weapons came about...these would become obsolete......such is the process of evolution Tim, an interesting object.....also facinating is how many diverse communities have scarification and blood letting embroiled in their customs.

9th August 2006, 10:40 PM	#3
BSMStar Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kansas City, MO USA Posts: 312	I have seen swords that appear to be made from a saw fish... this sword is made of shark teeth set into wood. These are still up for sale in places like the Republic of Kiribati (Fanning Island or Tabuaeran), sold as a souvenirs (these are not very functional). I was told, at one time... they were actually made for functional use. I have to be careful handling mine. oouch! There was an earlier post on an auction that looked like it was made from a saw fish. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=fish

10th August 2006, 04:02 AM	#4
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	Wow, this brings back memories. Here's the 30 second summary: There are a couple of basic ways to mount shark's teeth that differ in Polynesia (i.e. Hawaii) and Micronesia (i.e. Kiribati). It's unclear whether Melanesia has a characteristic method(s), and that's where we need more research. In Polynesian examples, the shark teeth are separately embedded in individual holes, and they're held in place by sennit threads that pass through the holes in the wood and through a hole in the tooth. In the Micronesian method (most examples from Kiribati, a few from Truk in the old books), the teeth are braced by two splints a few millimeters across, and the whole assemblage of teeth and splints is lashed to the outside of a stick. It's fun to speculate about why the separate methods were used. My guess is that the more restricted palette of materials available on the atolls of Kiribati or Truk meant that they didn't have good tools for gouging slots for the teeth, nor did they have good wood for that use. In Polynesia, they had greater choice for wood and stone tools, and they could mount shark's teeth more securely. Note that the size and shape of the weapon do not appear to affect the way the teeth were mounted. Whether the weapon was a knuckle duster or a polearm, it seems the teeth were mounted in their separate, characteristic ways on the different islands. As an aside, I just finished reading a fairly humorous memoir about living on modern Kiribati. It's called The Sex Lives of Cannibals by Troost, not that it's about sex or cannibalism. Great thing to read on the plane. F

10th August 2006, 09:37 AM	#5
Jay Jay Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Denmark Posts: 7	The National Museum of Denmark has a collection of sharktooth weapons, and these should be real weapon (unless the museum's really losing it). I think I have some pictures somewhere... I'll post them if I find them.

10th August 2006, 10:25 PM	#7
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	May not be functional but..it does have 'charm' ....a nice tourist piece.