Expensive tourist flyssa - Asian handle combo

katana · 12th December 2008, 06:58 PM

I am extremely suspicious of this piece, to me , the blade seems to be North African. I believe that this was a marriage of blade and hilt for the purpose of monetary gain. To me, the handle seems artificially aged and the 'wear' points (rubbing) seem inconsistent with actual handling. Where Hanuman's tail has broken off, the 'fracture sites' are clean right up to the edges, surely bone etc as it ages also starts to discolour slightly below the surface 'skin'...meaning that the 'fracture sites' would be edged with some discolouration. I hope I am wrong, for the buyer's sake ...but could the handle possibly be resin

Regards David

.

12th December 2008, 06:58 PM	#7
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	I am extremely suspicious of this piece, to me , the blade seems to be North African. I believe that this was a marriage of blade and hilt for the purpose of monetary gain. To me, the handle seems artificially aged and the 'wear' points (rubbing) seem inconsistent with actual handling. Where Hanuman's tail has broken off, the 'fracture sites' are clean right up to the edges, surely bone etc as it ages also starts to discolour slightly below the surface 'skin'...meaning that the 'fracture sites' would be edged with some discolouration. I hope I am wrong, for the buyer's sake ...but could the handle possibly be resin Regards David . Attached Images