A big and very old pira for discussion

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by kai

Here some data for my example:

weight 634 g

707 mm total length
450 mm blade length
264 mm hilt length (89.2 mm grip length including 33.75 mm ferrule)

102 mm point of balance (from ferrule)

303 mm from upper base to bump at back of blade
154 mm from bump to tip

thickness at base of blade
back: 9.8 mm
"edge": 8.0 mm
width: 20.1 mm

thickness - 151.5 mm from base
back: 3.75 mm
39mm from edge: 3.4 mm
30mm from edge: 3.1 mm
20mm from edge: 2.5 mm
10mm from edge: 2.0 mm
width: 47.3 mm

thickness - 303 mm from base (bump at back of blade)
back: 1.9 mm
10mm from back: 2.1 mm
20mm from back: 2.3 mm
[concave surface]
39mm from edge: 2.2 mm
30mm from edge: 2.0 mm
20mm from edge: 1.85 mm
10mm from edge: 1.5 mm
width: 68.5 mm

thickness - 77 mm from tip
back: 2.75 mm
max near back: 3.15 mm
30mm from edge: 3.1 mm
20mm from edge: 2.9 mm
10mm from edge: 2.1 mm
width: 38.8 mm

blade thickness - 44 mm from tip (local maximum)
back: 3.2 mm
max near back: 3.45 mm
20mm from edge: 3.4 mm
10mm from edge: 2.4 mm
blade width: 25.3 mm

Hello Kai,

Fine that we have such detailed measurements from your example but a picture or two would be very useful also!

Regards,
Detlef

[xasterix]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hello Kai,

Fine that we have such detailed measurements from your example but a picture or two would be very useful also!

Regards,
Detlef

I second Detlef's motion =)

[Sajen]

Here some more measurements from the pira in question, not so detailed but useful I guess.

Length overall: 790 mm
Blade length: 509 mm
Handle length: 280 mm
Length along spine from handle (base) until bump: 369 mm
Length bump until tip: 140 mm

Spine thickness:
Base: 10 mm
240 mm from base: 3 mm
Bump: 2,2 mm
approx. middle bump-tip: 3,3 mm
Tip: 1,7 mm

False edge behind handle: 8,8 mm

Weight: 750 gram

Point of balance is surprisingly at the same point as by the pira Kai own.

[kai]

Thanks, Detlef!

Maybe the other forumites could also add data for their pieces, please?

Regards,
Kai

[kai]

BTW, I'll try to take pics of my example - too busy this week though...

[xasterix]

Recently got a pira off ebay. It's slightly smaller, rougher (especially the hilt) as compared to my older piece but still a great wield, very light and manueverable, probably the forerunner of the modern pira. Hilt is 5.25in, blade is 19.25in.

[kai]

Hello Xas,

Thanks for reminding me...

I believe this is a genuine antique blade that got redressed some time during the 20th century: the ferrule might be original, the hilt and scabbard are definitely younger.

Regards,
Kai

[xasterix]

Originally Posted by kai

Hello Xas,

Thanks for reminding me...

I believe this is a genuine antique blade that got redressed some time during the 20th century: the ferrule might be original, the hilt and scabbard are definitely younger.

Regards,
Kai

Thanks for the look-over: eagerly awaiting your pics Kai =)

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by xasterix

Recently got a pira off ebay. It's slightly smaller, rougher (especially the hilt) as compared to my older piece but still a great wield, very light and manueverable, probably the forerunner of the modern pira. Hilt is 5.25in, blade is 19.25in.

Very unusual example Xas! Special the strong curve of the blade is very unusual. Hilt and scabbard could very well original I guess.

Regards,
Detlef

[xasterix]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Very unusual example Xas! Special the strong curve of the blade is very unusual. Hilt and scabbard could very well original I guess.

Regards,
Detlef

Hi Detlef! Thanks for this opinion...one of my mentors also believes it's all-original, and a younger time period than our pommel-extended samples. It's got a thinner spine as well, with the base at only 0.6cm, and a much lighter wield than my pommel-extended pira, or other old pira that I've held. The blade has a very slasher feel to it; when it botches up a cut, the blade flexes (much like how Maguindanao kampilan tips behave) but it's easy to straighten out again.