The (unintentional) artistry of edged weapons

Pertinax · 7th December 2025, 01:39 PM

One of my favorite blades

A. G. Maisey · 7th December 2025, 09:03 PM

Thank you Ian, yes, this is more or less how I understood your post that began this thread, & that is an idea that has made it very difficult for me to come to terms with the concepts involved in the actual production of such objects.

It can be quite a journey from the point where the eventual existence of an object is contemplated, to the point where a person looks at the finished object & then considers that he is looking at a work of art.

Such a journey might cross time, as well as cultural & societal boundaries and at its final destination can well be subject to an opinion that has been formed by standards & experience that are vastly different to the standards of a previous time and a different place.

In this Forum we are dealing with sharp pointy things, however what I have just written can apply to the broad range of all things that are, & have been, products of humanity.

Drawing a line of demarcation between the creations of artists, craftsmen and just plain competent tradesmen can be rather difficult, if not impossible:- a competent tradesman in one place & time might be considered to be a talented artist in a different place & time.

The object that we see as a work of art could well have been simply the required standard in a different time & place.

Please forgive me, I do sometimes have the tendency to overthink things a bit too much.

Pendita65 · 8th December 2025, 01:20 AM

Detlef,

what a beauties you have, i love the Parang Pade is it from Halmahera?
It is on my wishlist, an original Moluccan Parang from the 19th century.

Regards, Martin

Sajen · 8th December 2025, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pendita65

Detlef,

what a beauties you have, i love the Parang Pade is it from Halmahera?
It is on my wishlist, an original Moluccan Parang from the 19th century.

Regards, Martin

Hi Martin,

Thank you!

No, not one of my so-called pade are from Halmahera, all four in my collection are from South-East Sulawesi.
The one on the left is actually a toa, the three others are tawus.

Regards,
Detlef

Pendita65 · 8th December 2025, 11:03 AM

Detlef,

AMAZING COLLECTION.

Nothing more to say

Martin

Sajen · 8th December 2025, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pendita65

Detlef,

AMAZING COLLECTION.

Nothing more to say

Martin, I find this archaic sword shape utterly fascinating. Unfortunately, they are usually extremely expensive; apparently, I'm not the only one who finds them captivating. Not long ago, two were offered together in an auction, but unfortunately, I was outbid.

Best,
Detlef

TVV · Today, 04:57 AM

To me, if I focus entirely on the silhouette of a weapon, ignoring materials and added decoration, nothing beats the pure elegance of a classic Persian shamshir blade. There is also something mesmerizing about wavy keris blades and their flame like appearance. An honorable mention goes to yataghans with their recurved blades.

When it comes to hilts, my favorite form is the "nimcha", especially the Zanzibar variety, followed by karabelas and the early Islamic hilt form, for example as found on Yemeni and Omani broadswords, where it is somewhat reminiscent of Islamic architecture.

7th December 2025, 01:39 PM	#1
Pertinax Member Join Date: Dec 2023 Location: City by the Black Sea Posts: 308	One of my favorite blades Attached Images

7th December 2025, 09:03 PM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,127	Thank you Ian, yes, this is more or less how I understood your post that began this thread, & that is an idea that has made it very difficult for me to come to terms with the concepts involved in the actual production of such objects. It can be quite a journey from the point where the eventual existence of an object is contemplated, to the point where a person looks at the finished object & then considers that he is looking at a work of art. Such a journey might cross time, as well as cultural & societal boundaries and at its final destination can well be subject to an opinion that has been formed by standards & experience that are vastly different to the standards of a previous time and a different place. In this Forum we are dealing with sharp pointy things, however what I have just written can apply to the broad range of all things that are, & have been, products of humanity. Drawing a line of demarcation between the creations of artists, craftsmen and just plain competent tradesmen can be rather difficult, if not impossible:- a competent tradesman in one place & time might be considered to be a talented artist in a different place & time. The object that we see as a work of art could well have been simply the required standard in a different time & place. Please forgive me, I do sometimes have the tendency to overthink things a bit too much.

8th December 2025, 01:20 AM	#3
Pendita65 Member Join Date: Feb 2023 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 139	Detlef, what a beauties you have, i love the Parang Pade is it from Halmahera? It is on my wishlist, an original Moluccan Parang from the 19th century. Regards, Martin

8th December 2025, 11:03 AM	#5
Pendita65 Member Join Date: Feb 2023 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 139	Detlef, AMAZING COLLECTION. Nothing more to say Martin

Today, 04:57 AM	#7
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,735	To me, if I focus entirely on the silhouette of a weapon, ignoring materials and added decoration, nothing beats the pure elegance of a classic Persian shamshir blade. There is also something mesmerizing about wavy keris blades and their flame like appearance. An honorable mention goes to yataghans with their recurved blades. When it comes to hilts, my favorite form is the "nimcha", especially the Zanzibar variety, followed by karabelas and the early Islamic hilt form, for example as found on Yemeni and Omani broadswords, where it is somewhat reminiscent of Islamic architecture.