Papuan sacred stone knife?

Clubs & Arrows · 20th August 2013, 07:12 PM

Tim & Detlef,
Check into Orchid Fiber. I'm pretty sure that's what you have. It's much firmer than the regular woven fiber cord and has a feeling like a very fine piece of split rattan. It is used a lot in decorating Bilum Bags and accenting most other weaving nowadays in Irian Jaya.

Joe

Tim Simmons · 5th September 2013, 04:19 PM

It is here. I know this sort of thing lacks the blood letting appeal for most members here, but to me it is a very fascinating and beautifully made object. It is a knife and clearly something unusual even in the original context. "Bud" Hampton, mentions stone knives and found them puzzling. The stone displays grinding marks that I would expect, no file marks. The scabbard appears to be made from Banana fiber. It is expertly fashioned fitting like a glove. All though constructed with simple materials it is better made than many scabbards of leather, wood and metal I have handled. I am very pleased with it.

Tim Simmons · 5th September 2013, 04:50 PM

I have just had a thought that could make this more relevant to the blood thirsty. The tip on this knife is as finely ground as an adze blade. If you can cut and carve wood with stone chisels and adze, surely if a person was to feel aggressive enough you could force a stone knife into a naked torso or do extreme damage to an opponents head and face? "Bud" Hampton saw knives and although inquisitive and learned does not mean he saw an obvious answer?

Sajen · 5th September 2013, 07:15 PM

Very nice knife! And I am glad that the yellow stuff isn't plastic and Joe was correct by the material!

Regards,

Detlef

Tim Simmons · 6th September 2013, 03:41 PM

For those interested this [pdf] file by the author of the book mentioned earlier in this thread, is basically the same as the publication but with more pictures. For some reason the pictures are not of a readable quality

.

http://anthropology.tamu.edu/papers/Hampton-PhD1997.pdf

VANDOO · 30th October 2013, 08:51 PM

A AZMAT STONE DAGGER.

5th September 2013, 04:19 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	It is here. I know this sort of thing lacks the blood letting appeal for most members here, but to me it is a very fascinating and beautifully made object. It is a knife and clearly something unusual even in the original context. "Bud" Hampton, mentions stone knives and found them puzzling. The stone displays grinding marks that I would expect, no file marks. The scabbard appears to be made from Banana fiber. It is expertly fashioned fitting like a glove. All though constructed with simple materials it is better made than many scabbards of leather, wood and metal I have handled. I am very pleased with it. Attached Images

30th October 2013, 08:51 PM	#6
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	A AZMAT STONE DAGGER. Attached Images

20th August 2013, 07:12 PM	#1
Clubs & Arrows Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: San Gabriel Foothills, Southern California Posts: 94	Tim & Detlef, Check into Orchid Fiber. I'm pretty sure that's what you have. It's much firmer than the regular woven fiber cord and has a feeling like a very fine piece of split rattan. It is used a lot in decorating Bilum Bags and accenting most other weaving nowadays in Irian Jaya. Joe

5th September 2013, 04:50 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	I have just had a thought that could make this more relevant to the blood thirsty. The tip on this knife is as finely ground as an adze blade. If you can cut and carve wood with stone chisels and adze, surely if a person was to feel aggressive enough you could force a stone knife into a naked torso or do extreme damage to an opponents head and face? "Bud" Hampton saw knives and although inquisitive and learned does not mean he saw an obvious answer?

5th September 2013, 07:15 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,212	Very nice knife! And I am glad that the yellow stuff isn't plastic and Joe was correct by the material! Regards, Detlef

6th September 2013, 03:41 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	For those interested this [pdf] file by the author of the book mentioned earlier in this thread, is basically the same as the publication but with more pictures. For some reason the pictures are not of a readable quality . http://anthropology.tamu.edu/papers/Hampton-PhD1997.pdf