Odd pole arm

[mahratt]

Originally Posted by Ren Ren

The blade looks like the blade of a Chinese "river pirates" knife.

Did you mean such a knife?

[kronckew]

I think he was thinking of one of these more recent wing chun dancing knives.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9-cJdG_fr4

[ariel]

I do not think it is a reworked utility knife. To me it looks like some kind of South Asian shafted weapon, in the family of Indian Bhuj, SEA Mak, Japanese Naginata or even European Couteaux de Breche or Siberian Palma and Batiyya. Longer handle allowed for the use of both hands to add power, and the length of blade might have been intentionally kept short to increase rigidity. In any case, one needed only so much sharp edge for full functionality: the dreaded Spanish Colonial sabers with finger-stalled handles (we used to think they were N. African) had no more than distant third to a half of the blade sharpened. The use of rattan might hint ( weakly but really) of Indonesian of Philippine origin

[Philip]

Originally Posted by ariel

I do not think it is a reworked utility knife. To me it looks like some kind of South Asian shafted weapon, in the family of Indian Bhuj, SEA Mak, Japanese Naginata or even European Couteaux de Breche or Siberian Palma and Batiyya. Longer handle allowed for the use of both hands to add power, and the length of blade might have been intentionally kept short to increase rigidity. In any case, one needed only so much sharp edge for full functionality: the dreaded Spanish Colonial sabers with finger-stalled handles (we used to think they were N. African) had no more than distant third to a half of the blade sharpened. The use of rattan might hint ( weakly but really) of Indonesian of Philippine origin

I agree with your suggestion that it may well be from SE Asia, Philippines or, as has been previously posted, the hill tribes of the Vietnam/Laos/Cambodia region. As re its being from a pole-mounted weapon, I'm not so sure. The shape of the blade is indeed that of a cutting implement, but its relative thinness and its diminutive tang don't seem appropriate on a weapon subject to leverage and other forces acting on a weapon mounted on an extended shaft.

A polearm with blade of similar shape to this object, and to the Chinese fighting knives highlighted in a prior post, was used in China's southern provinces. However, I can state from handling, and restoring, a few of these that those blades are far more substantial (over twice the thickness at the base) and are integral with a tapering solid shank of octagonal section, then transitioning to a fairly wide flat tang with one or two holes for rivets. This is at variance with what we see here on this piece, so despite the superficial similarity of blade outline, we are comparing apples and oranges.

[Ren Ren]

Originally Posted by Philip

However, I can state from handling, and restoring, a few of these that those blades are far more substantial (over twice the thickness at the base) and are integral with a tapering solid shank of octagonal section, then transitioning to a fairly wide flat tang with one or two holes for rivets. This is at variance with what we see here on this piece, so despite the superficial similarity of blade outline, we are comparing apples and oranges.

Thank you very much, Philip! This is an important and valuable clarification.

[Athanase]

The proportions of the handle in relation to the blade remind me of the knives From Taiwan.

[kronckew]

Originally Posted by Athanase

The proportions of the handle in relation to the blade remind me of the knives From Taiwan.

Someone else has suggested this as a good possibility as well.

reminds me of a Taiwanese Pingpu knife. The Pingpu tribe no longer exists, having been absorbed into the population. Example not mine, found online)

[Ren Ren]

Originally Posted by mahratt

Did you mean such a knife?

That's right. I meant this type of knife, which is smaller, lighter and thinner than "hudiedao" knives. And which often differs from the butcher's knives of South China only in massive bronze "additions".

[mahratt]

Originally Posted by Ren Ren

That's right. I meant this type of knife, which is smaller, lighter and thinner than "hudiedao" knives. And which often differs from the butcher's knives of South China only in massive bronze "additions".

I agree. The blades are very similar.

[Kubur]

Originally Posted by mahratt

Did you mean such a knife?

Hi
Where did you find this picture?
Are they really Chinese knives?
thanks
Kubur

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Kubur

Where did you find this picture?
Are they really Chinese knives?

I don't know where Mahratt find the pictures (net?) but I know that this knives are indeed Chinese, it's said that they get used by river pirates.

Regards,
Detlef

[kronckew]

No, not chinese, see my post 17 above. They are Naga made by local tribal blacksmiths, no relation to 'butterfly' or river pirate swords at all.

[Kubur]

Originally Posted by kronckew

No, not chinese, see my post 17 above. They are Naga made by local tribal blacksmiths, no relation to 'butterfly' or river pirate swords at all.

We are talking about post# 8 Sir!

And yes i posted a naga knife

[kronckew]

Originally Posted by Kubur

We are talking about post# 8 Sir!

And yes i posted a naga knife

OK, was not clear at that point which post you were referring to.

[Kubur]

Originally Posted by Sajen

I don't know where Mahratt find the pictures (net?) but I know that this knives are indeed Chinese, it's said that they get used by river pirates.

Regards,
Detlef

Thank you Detlef

I found it

Chinese Highbinder weapons collected by H. H. North, U. S. Commission of Immigration, forwarded to Bureau of Immigration, Washington D. C., about 1900. Note the coexistence of hudiedao (butterfly swords), guns and knives all in the same raid. This collection of weapons is identical to what might have been found in either China or America from the 1860s onward.
Courtesy the digital collection of the Bancroft Library, UC Berkley.

So if i'm not mistaken this pirate story is a myth... Chinese mafia most probably... a good serie to watch: warrior...