Very Interesting Piso Podang With Inserted Edge

RSWORD · 21st September 2011, 12:28 PM

Very nice example Charles. Interesting two tone hilt and very neat blade. By the way Kai, an inserted hardened edge is sandwhich construction. That core plate is inserted between softer "cheeks" and forged together. While China is certainly a common place for this type of construction I would not rule out India either. I have had a number of Indian swords over the years that were also of a tripartite or sandwhich construction with hardened inserted edge. You also see a lot of this type of forging throughout the archipelego so the influence could really be from anywhere but as you mention not commonly seen in Piso's.

CharlesS · 21st September 2011, 04:46 PM

Hadn't thought about the Indian possibility....good point Rsword.

Nathaniel · 22nd September 2011, 04:47 AM

Charles, Nice blade and interesting handle! I think it could very well have been made by a smith of Chinese decent...the Chinese migrated all over Asia as we all know. I can recall at least a few examples on the forum of Thai, Lao, Malaysian, Indonesian and Philippine blades with Chinese motifs and Chinese characters on the blade or fittings. Thanks for sharing!

Battara · 22nd September 2011, 11:32 PM

Yes Charles have that piece tested for white metal or silver.

CharlesS · 23rd September 2011, 12:45 PM

Likely in Feb., Battara,with you-know-who!!

21st September 2011, 12:28 PM	#1
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,087	Very nice example Charles. Interesting two tone hilt and very neat blade. By the way Kai, an inserted hardened edge is sandwhich construction. That core plate is inserted between softer "cheeks" and forged together. While China is certainly a common place for this type of construction I would not rule out India either. I have had a number of Indian swords over the years that were also of a tripartite or sandwhich construction with hardened inserted edge. You also see a lot of this type of forging throughout the archipelego so the influence could really be from anywhere but as you mention not commonly seen in Piso's.

21st September 2011, 04:46 PM	#2
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Hadn't thought about the Indian possibility....good point Rsword.

22nd September 2011, 04:47 AM	#3
Nathaniel Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 865	Charles, Nice blade and interesting handle! I think it could very well have been made by a smith of Chinese decent...the Chinese migrated all over Asia as we all know. I can recall at least a few examples on the forum of Thai, Lao, Malaysian, Indonesian and Philippine blades with Chinese motifs and Chinese characters on the blade or fittings. Thanks for sharing!

22nd September 2011, 11:32 PM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	Yes Charles have that piece tested for white metal or silver.

23rd September 2011, 12:45 PM	#5
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Likely in Feb., Battara,with you-know-who!!