Open-faced scabbards
 

So I seem to have developed a theme in my collection...
-Kachin Dao
-Lepcha Ban
-Ifugao Hinalung
-Atayal Laulau
Are there any other traditionally open-faced scabbard blade types I should hunt for? 😆

Achang Dah comes to mind Jeff, one from my collection in the link below.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpo...59&postcount=9

Gavin

Wow that thing is a beast. Love the brass guard. It is designed for horse combat right? Do you happen to have a picture of it sheathed?

Hi Jeff,

Open-faced scabbards are very common in NE India/northern Burma/adjacent Yunnan areas. Long versions are seen in Assam, for example, and neighboring states as far north as Arunachal Pradesh. There are numerous tribal groups in these regions that use open-faced scabbards. You mention some on your list, but there are several others as well.

Ian

Thx. There is some great discussion and images in
this dao post

Thanks Jeff.

I doubt its designed for horse combat but perhaps it could be :shrug: I think perhaps more a case of get the hell out of my reach or be cut in two... the blade is simply amazing with beautiful clear inserted edge and a spine to support the most brutal blows....

I'll get you a snap of it in its sheath... pop me a PM if its not here this time next week... just a little on my plate as always.

Gavin

Bhutan lowlands (river valley) and the various mountain tribes of Taiwan as well.

Yes, here a Paiwan and a Rukai sword from Taiwan with open-faced scabbards.

I love the snake head profile on the top scabbard. As has been stated previously on this forum the snake could represent Deinagkistrodon Acutus, which has a common name of 100 Pace Viper. This snake has a very distinctive head profile with the narrowed nose which could be the inspiration for the Paiwan design . As an aside, Taiwan has exceptional snake diversity, we found 15 species and nearly 50 individuals in just a few days. Below is a picture of the 100 Pace Viper that we took.

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Trying out different display options, thought this was kind of fun.

Indeed! The other ones I know but what is the one at the top?

Ifugao hinalung. Ifugao are of the Igorot group, northern Luzon.

More open face scabbards - Ifugao Pinahig
 

A Pinahig machete of the Ifugao, of the Cordillera Mountain ranges of Central Northern Luzon, Philippines. The Pinahig alone weighs 2 lbs. The addition of the scabbard and smaller blade bring the set to just over 3 lbs.
The open-faced scabbard, or “hikot”, is made of Narra wood and also holds a smaller knife, identical in design to the larger Pinahig.

Recycling an accidental double post with some more open faced content. This one was discussed on another thread on Achang Dha. It was suggested to be Achang made in Husa but exported.