BICHWA (THE SCORPIONS STING)

VANDOO · 12th February 2010, 10:37 PM

A VERY NICE COLLECTION

PERHAPS WITH A FEW MORE PICTURES AND ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ANYONE MIGHT HAVE ON THEM IT COULD MAKE THIS THE CLASSIC THREAD ON BICHWA

ONE INTERESTING FEATURE IS THE HANDLE ON SOME REMIND ME A BIT OF A SPUR TO FIT ON A HORSEMANS BOOT.

ITS KIND OF IRONIC AS I HAVE NEVER OWNED ONE.

Marcus · 17th November 2014, 01:49 PM

I searched out this thread for some background reading while I am waiting for two Bichwa daggers to arrive from Oriental Arms. One thing I noticed, looking at the examples posted, is that on some pieces the grip (loop) is oriented parallel to the blade while on others it is at 90 degrees. Does this suggest different styles of use?

KuKulzA28 · 20th November 2014, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus

I searched out this thread for some background reading while I am waiting for two Bichwa daggers to arrive from Oriental Arms. One thing I noticed, looking at the examples posted, is that on some pieces the grip (loop) is oriented parallel to the blade while on others it is at 90 degrees. Does this suggest different styles of use?

I've owned both kinds in the past... had a lil' bichwa craze... in fact I think some of VANDOOs images he's using are from a bichwa I once had

I think there must be two slightly different methods of use, one's blade is in line with the plane of your hand/arm and the other is not.

shayde78 · 5th July 2017, 06:32 PM

Rather than starting a new topic, and at the risk of reviving a thread that has long lain dormant, I've been pondering lately if the bichwa form could have developed as a knife specifically designed for archers.

The tightly fitting hilt with guard allows the weapon to be in one's right hand even while drawing a bow. This would then give the archer a close quarters blade to deploy if his position were overrun. Rather than having to pause to unsheathe another weapon, the bichwa would be at the ready even while acting as an archer.

I know the reference books speak of the bichwa being a preferred blade of assassins, and the like, because it could be easily concealed (which is true of any number of weapons), but also because it allowed the wielder to climb walls while having the blade drawn. I wonder if this utility may have served a more overt military function rather than a covert nefarious one.

Thoughts?

ariel · 6th July 2017, 12:43 PM

It was rather sad re-reading this topic.
Lew and Vandoo, Rest In Peace.....

Jim McDougall · 6th July 2017, 04:09 PM

Absolutely brilliantly posted and queried Shayde!!! That is a wonderfully posed question, and it is great to see threads like this brought back to the fore. More importantly, the content and discussion in this thread reminds us of not only the exact reason we are studying weapons in this manner, but of our friends who helped us learn in years past.

While poignant indeed, it is great to have them here still, and to 'keep the fires burning'!!

Barry (VANDOO) and Lew had amazing collections which they always shared here, and more importantly their knowledge and inquisitiveness were, and still are an inspiration.

I really look forward to learning more on this theory regarding the bichwa and its related forms from those out there well versed on these , and those like me, always curious and anxious to learn more.

Thank you Shayde, well done!!

Marcus · 6th July 2017, 06:36 PM

The Tiv people of Africa also use loop daggers similar to the bichwa and it is generally assumed that these were by archers.

estcrh · 6th July 2017, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shayde78

Rather than starting a new topic, and at the risk of reviving a thread that has long lain dormant, I've been pondering lately if the bichwa form could have developed as a knife specifically designed for archers.

The tightly fitting hilt with guard allows the weapon to be in one's right hand even while drawing a bow. This would then give the archer a close quarters blade to deploy if his position were overrun. Rather than having to pause to unsheathe another weapon, the bichwa would be at the ready even while acting as an archer.

I know the reference books speak of the bichwa being a preferred blade of assassins, and the like, because it could be easily concealed (which is true of any number of weapons), but also because it allowed the wielder to climb walls while having the blade drawn. I wonder if this utility may have served a more overt military function rather than a covert nefarious one.

Thoughts?

A very interesting theory by why just for archers? Why not also for gunners, they would need a close by weapon as well. I guess trying a simulation with either a bow or gun would be the next step. As for the bichwa being "easily concealed".....pure guess work I think until someone comes up with some type of information to back this theory up.

17th November 2014, 01:49 PM	#2
Marcus Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 420	Blade orientations I searched out this thread for some background reading while I am waiting for two Bichwa daggers to arrive from Oriental Arms. One thing I noticed, looking at the examples posted, is that on some pieces the grip (loop) is oriented parallel to the blade while on others it is at 90 degrees. Does this suggest different styles of use?

6th July 2017, 06:36 PM	#7
Marcus Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 420	TIV Loop dagger The Tiv people of Africa also use loop daggers similar to the bichwa and it is generally assumed that these were by archers. Attached Images

12th February 2010, 10:37 PM	#1
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	A VERY NICE COLLECTION PERHAPS WITH A FEW MORE PICTURES AND ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ANYONE MIGHT HAVE ON THEM IT COULD MAKE THIS THE CLASSIC THREAD ON BICHWA ONE INTERESTING FEATURE IS THE HANDLE ON SOME REMIND ME A BIT OF A SPUR TO FIT ON A HORSEMANS BOOT. ITS KIND OF IRONIC AS I HAVE NEVER OWNED ONE.

5th July 2017, 06:32 PM	#4
shayde78 Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 445	Rather than starting a new topic, and at the risk of reviving a thread that has long lain dormant, I've been pondering lately if the bichwa form could have developed as a knife specifically designed for archers. The tightly fitting hilt with guard allows the weapon to be in one's right hand even while drawing a bow. This would then give the archer a close quarters blade to deploy if his position were overrun. Rather than having to pause to unsheathe another weapon, the bichwa would be at the ready even while acting as an archer. I know the reference books speak of the bichwa being a preferred blade of assassins, and the like, because it could be easily concealed (which is true of any number of weapons), but also because it allowed the wielder to climb walls while having the blade drawn. I wonder if this utility may have served a more overt military function rather than a covert nefarious one. Thoughts?

6th July 2017, 12:43 PM	#5
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	It was rather sad re-reading this topic. Lew and Vandoo, Rest In Peace.....

6th July 2017, 04:09 PM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	Absolutely brilliantly posted and queried Shayde!!! That is a wonderfully posed question, and it is great to see threads like this brought back to the fore. More importantly, the content and discussion in this thread reminds us of not only the exact reason we are studying weapons in this manner, but of our friends who helped us learn in years past. While poignant indeed, it is great to have them here still, and to 'keep the fires burning'!! Barry (VANDOO) and Lew had amazing collections which they always shared here, and more importantly their knowledge and inquisitiveness were, and still are an inspiration. I really look forward to learning more on this theory regarding the bichwa and its related forms from those out there well versed on these , and those like me, always curious and anxious to learn more. Thank you Shayde, well done!!