Primitive Archer

Information and Resources => Trading Post => Topic started by: Limbit on August 23, 2015, 02:25:28 am

Title: Aboriginal Atayal, Taroko and Amis blades
Post by: Limbit on August 23, 2015, 02:25:28 am: There has been quite a lot of interest regarding these primitive style of all purpose machetes. They were used for everything from hacking logs, bow making, hunting and war. They are pretty much a standard item for every aboriginal man in Taiwan who spends any amount of time in the mountains. There is a local blacksmith in a mountain village outside my archery teacher's village in Hualien, Taiwan. He is a great guy and obviously knows his craft. When I went to visit him today, he proceeded to take one of the blades and strike a metal pole with it repeatedly in order to show me it wouldn't damage the knife-edge!! If you'd like one of these blades, we can trade items for the value of the blade since I understand money is not an option on the trade forum. I'd love to help support him. I am always looking for American wood. So, staves would be my priority. Juniper of any variety in particular, but of course anything else of use like osage, pignut hickory, ironwood, white oak, incense cedar, lilac, black walnut etc.... Sinew is always needed (prepared or it can't be shipped!) and I'd like to get some copperhead or rattler skins at some point for bow backing. It's a pity I can't trade Taiwanese snakes skins! You guys would dig some of the snakes we get around here. I'm not sure I can, but is anyone interested in shark skin or manta ray skin? I have access to it quite regularly. I'm just not sure if the skins are legal to ship or not. Sorry for the picture quality. My phone is crap. (http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w195/Limbit/11215195_10153759054635934_4467932093411232330_n_zpsvufx3uip.jpg)(http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w195/Limbit/11899780_10153759058050934_8185092580918048556_n_zpsukzxvtll.jpg)(http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w195/Limbit/11888085_10153759052060934_2126689278672705373_n_zps8ktfbcup.jpg)(http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w195/Limbit/11892175_10153759050520934_751380375573730740_n_zpsknp9xq67.jpg)(http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w195/Limbit/11898789_10153759056860934_7780953499618792712_n_zps4ibgv39c.jpg)(http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w195/Limbit/11940711_10153759052685934_477959113078494961_n_zpsdjkaqmvf.jpg)(http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w195/Limbit/11954701_10153759052315934_8304307013848334629_n_zpsta8izmkc.jpg)(http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w195/Limbit/11924217_10153759050970934_7261761920309090718_n_zpsc0irldwd.jpg)(http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w195/Limbit/11904696_10153759051470934_3625206313670966479_n_zpsea2ak5la.jpg)(http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w195/Limbit/11061983_10153759049150934_3948437169663384298_n_zpszrlt3dq1.jpg)(http://)
Title: Re: Aboriginal Atayal, Taroko and Amis blades
Post by: Limbit on August 23, 2015, 02:31:47 am: The first blade pictured seems to be the most versatile since it has both a large and smaller blade. I am not crazy about the red-rope handle wrapping, so if it was me, I'd get a nice and pretty hardwood and replace the rope with it. If you're interested, I have loads of tropical hardwood I can include with the blade if you want to switch it out. Teak or acacia confusa (Formosan King Koa) would be best I think.
Title: Re: Aboriginal Atayal, Taroko and Amis blades
Post by: mullet on August 23, 2015, 04:15:39 pm: Can wood be shipped to you without being grabbed in Customs?
Title: Re: Aboriginal Atayal, Taroko and Amis blades
Post by: Limbit on August 23, 2015, 09:00:46 pm: Yes, but I just have it shipped to my brother in the States who lives in Colorado. When I go back to the States, I bundle it up and ship it freight. Otherwise the shipping is too expensive to justify shipping it. Shipping from Taiwan is actually very inexpensive if you don't mind the wait. Usually only 10-15$, but you have to wait around 6 weeks.
Title: Re: Aboriginal Atayal, Taroko and Amis blades
Post by: Johnny K on August 28, 2015, 03:29:07 pm: I bet that little one would make a great boot-knife. Sent you a PM...
Title: Re: Aboriginal Atayal, Taroko and Amis blades
Post by: Blaflair2 on August 28, 2015, 11:19:00 pm: I have a nice ERC stave.
Title: Re: Aboriginal Atayal, Taroko and Amis blades
Post by: Limbit on August 29, 2015, 06:13:23 am: Would love ERC!
Title: Re: Aboriginal Atayal, Taroko and Amis blades
Post by: Blaflair2 on August 29, 2015, 12:05:25 pm: I like the red handled one. Pm me if u wanna talk about it
Title: Re: Aboriginal Atayal, Taroko and Amis blades
Post by: Limbit on August 30, 2015, 07:55:44 am: Went up there to pick up some of the blades today. His daughter was there and she scoffed as she showed me their shop door. She seemed annoyed her father kept striking it to show how strong his blades were. I'm not sure the picture is clear, but those gashes were deep in the metal door! (http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w195/Limbit/Facebook/aboriginal%20knife%20maker/11942109_10153777960160934_1523027502995593967_o_zps1qki20rx.jpg)
Title: Re: Aboriginal Atayal, Taroko and Amis blades
Post by: Limbit on August 30, 2015, 07:57:43 am: Also, I noted the bottom blade in the picture below. Realistically, this is the most versatile and cost efficient blade he makes. It is nearly identical to what I've been using and all the aboriginal guys carry. (http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w195/Limbit/Facebook/aboriginal%20knife%20maker/11921829_10153777961075934_7878148958220764670_o_zps2ushr49g.jpg)
Title: Re: Aboriginal Atayal, Taroko and Amis blades
Post by: Johnny K on October 02, 2015, 02:09:22 pm: Got mine,
Thanks Limbit!

John
Title: Re: Aboriginal Atayal, Taroko and Amis blades
Post by: Limbit on October 03, 2015, 08:07:32 am: Glad you like it mate! Hope it serves you well.
Title: Re: Aboriginal Atayal, Taroko and Amis blades
Post by: warpath on October 03, 2015, 12:42:52 pm: Limbit- pm'ed you.

G-Monee >:D
Title: Re: Aboriginal Atayal, Taroko and Amis blades
Post by: JonW on October 06, 2015, 06:20:00 pm: Guys if you like trading I highly suggest you jump on this offer. I recieved mine and they are KILLER!! Limbit is a super guy and is very trustworthy. Thanks for the trade Byron.
Title: Re: Aboriginal Atayal, Taroko and Amis blades
Post by: Limbit on October 08, 2015, 01:24:22 am: Thanks for the recommendation! I am glad you like it.
Title: Re: Aboriginal Atayal, Taroko and Amis blades
Post by: Spotted Dog on October 19, 2015, 07:36:06 pm: Limbit I sent you a PM

Dog
Title: Re: Aboriginal Atayal, Taroko and Amis blades
Post by: dylanholderman on November 27, 2015, 09:49:34 pm: thought i'd bump this up now that i got my blades and have been able to play with them a bit ;D

short of it is i love em, sharp and tough! chopped out a osage stave in about fifteen minutes with the big one >:D the original rope handle was a little small for my hand and a bit lens shaped for lack of a better word. tomorrow i'll post some pics with the redone handles ;)
(http://i1074.photobucket.com/albums/w411/dylanholderman/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-11/C75B7971-3673-47FC-913C-C520C4BE0A91.jpg) (http://s1074.photobucket.com/user/dylanholderman/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-11/C75B7971-3673-47FC-913C-C520C4BE0A91.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Aboriginal Atayal, Taroko and Amis blades
Post by: Limbit on November 29, 2015, 01:12:38 am: Yeah, Ｉ　ａｍ　ｎｏｔ　ａ　ｆａｎ　ｏｆ　ｔｈｅ　ｒｏｐｅ．　Ｄｉｄ　ｙｏｕ　ｒｅｐｌａｃｅ　ｉｔ　ｗｉｔｈ　ｔｈｅ　ｔｅａｋ　Ｉ　ｓｅｎｔ　ｙｏｕ？　
Title: Re: Aboriginal Atayal, Taroko and Amis blades
Post by: dylanholderman on December 01, 2015, 09:56:08 pm: some :) i used the teak plus some osage and a little bit of bloodwood on the big knife, and some type of ornamental locust for the small knife(looks kind of like red oak but the grain is too fine)
(http://i1074.photobucket.com/albums/w411/dylanholderman/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-12/51CE6F69-F006-475A-BA90-B7EF8E87CA19.jpg) (http://s1074.photobucket.com/user/dylanholderman/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-12/51CE6F69-F006-475A-BA90-B7EF8E87CA19.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Aboriginal Atayal, Taroko and Amis blades
Post by: Limbit on December 02, 2015, 11:05:39 pm: Holy crap! That is one good looking knife now. I'm going to have to show that picture to the blacksmith and tell him to update his handles!