Identification, please? Garuda hilt but blade?

longfellow · 10th November 2011, 04:24 AM

I was wondering if someone might recognize this knife. I think it has a garuda hilt and I have found one example that is 'somewhat' similar that was from Bali. However, the blade doesn't seem to be appropriate and the ferrel looks Japanese.

I guess you can tell edged isn't my primary focus. Would someone shed some light on this item?

Thank you.

trenchwarfare · 10th November 2011, 05:09 AM

Blade is from a Japanese Tanto/Dagger. What is the blade length? The "ferrule", is called a Habaki. I have a small Tanto blade (8") that was mounted into a Barong handle. Impossible to know who made the marriage. I've been told that some of the Japanese adapted other hilts to their personal blades. Or could have been a local, or GI, or...

longfellow · 10th November 2011, 05:21 AM

Thank you, trenchwarfare.

The blade, from the hilt to tip is 8 1/2". Considering the condition of the blade, I haven't thought it much use to take it apart to see if there is anything on the tang.

I appreciate the input on the piece. Marriage had crossed my mind, but I didn't think that combination was very logical for a tanto.

Again, thank you.

David · 10th November 2011, 02:56 PM

Interesting mixture. I would say that the hilt is certainly Indonesian and most probably Balinese though it does not appear to be Garuda to me.

10th November 2011, 04:24 AM	#1
longfellow Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 37	Identification, please? Garuda hilt but blade? I was wondering if someone might recognize this knife. I think it has a garuda hilt and I have found one example that is 'somewhat' similar that was from Bali. However, the blade doesn't seem to be appropriate and the ferrel looks Japanese. I guess you can tell edged isn't my primary focus. Would someone shed some light on this item? Thank you. Attached Images

10th November 2011, 05:09 AM	#2
trenchwarfare Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 385	Blade is from a Japanese Tanto/Dagger. What is the blade length? The "ferrule", is called a Habaki. I have a small Tanto blade (8") that was mounted into a Barong handle. Impossible to know who made the marriage. I've been told that some of the Japanese adapted other hilts to their personal blades. Or could have been a local, or GI, or...

10th November 2011, 05:21 AM	#3
longfellow Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 37	Thank you, trenchwarfare. The blade, from the hilt to tip is 8 1/2". Considering the condition of the blade, I haven't thought it much use to take it apart to see if there is anything on the tang. I appreciate the input on the piece. Marriage had crossed my mind, but I didn't think that combination was very logical for a tanto. Again, thank you.

10th November 2011, 02:56 PM	#4
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,121	Interesting mixture. I would say that the hilt is certainly Indonesian and most probably Balinese though it does not appear to be Garuda to me.