Alright, here is the quick and dirty translation.
Hope I'm not stepping on anyones toe for doing this translation but this is truly a very beautiful master piece.
Apologies if i missed anything, since I'm doing this translation while in the brink of passing out drunk.
This "Cross ethnic integral. mountain knife" is made for a big time collector in Taiwan, Mr. Lu.
After getting into contact with him, and after some brainstorming this "Cross ethnic integral" is born.
How does such a name come to pass...
Because I thought, since he has been a collector for so long, he almost have every kind of knife.
So instead of copying, why not take the essence of each part, and add in some modern and some international twist to it.
So this is what i combined.
First.
Use the blade shape of the Taiwan Atayal mountain knife, but add in the rarely used "straight waved Damascus"
The reason is it rarely used is because during process of these straight waved due to the direction there is more likely to have failers are more likely to occur.
Next is the guard, using Chinese "Old gun stock" style hexed bronze, and add two layers of half sphere bronze.
The hilt is more of a American design, the recent trend in America "integral".
But I split the process up to different staged.
Instead of a pin into the tang, it was made into a Chinese style with gold decor.
But on it was a hand crafted snake decor "a female snake" because this year is the year of the snake.
Stabilized tiger stripe maple wood was used, to increase mat hardness and reduce morphing.
All parts in the knife and the hilt are designed to be dismantled except the inner wooden hilt.
The screw at the end of the hilt, is designed like a Chinese Dao, when the blade is swung it makes a rattling sound to scare foes.
And to held with maintenance.
Sheath.
Usually Taiwan sheaths are made with only one side, I made this tiger stripe maple with a whole piece of wood with matching colors.
At the end of the hilt bronze sheets was added to cope with wear, and was made with bronze bolts as a method of securing.
Another hand crafted snake "a male snake" was also made, again, because this year is the year of the snake.
Baby snakes can only be born when there is male and female snakes.
The same method that secures original Taiwan mountain knives was used.
But I added in some touches, because carrying a knife for prolong amount of time puts a strain on the waist.
I added in some dynamic method of carrying.
A rope to tie to the waist (Taiwan mountain knives are usually carried like this).
It can be carried IWB with the snake holding the knife in place. (It is usually carried like this in the states)
Add in the leather attachment and the knife can be carried on the back. (A common way to carry a knife)
The leather attachment with the belt can be made into a three point fixture style carry. (The leather attachment has a loop for a belt)
To reduce fatigue. (As seen in ancient sabres)
The sheath is made so that even if it is upside down the knife won't fall out.
Lastly..a hand made deer horn tool is added for the use of dismantling the knife.
This is why I call it the Cross Ethnic integral mountain knife.
Its not only a mix of Taiwan ethnic groups, but the ethnic groups of the world.
In the future I hope to achieve a more perfect combination, a more diverse ethnic group and blade shapes.
Mats used:
Steel. O1+L6+1086 High carbon Damascus, straight waved 119 layered.
Guard. Bronze, craved bronze*2, can be dismantled for maintenance.
Hilt. Carved bronze insert into tiger stripe maple wood (stabilized and dyed)
Bronze screw is also carved, can be dismantled for maintenance.
Sheath. Bronze(carved), tiger stripe maple(dyed), bronze bolt, cow leather, matching bronze screws, bronze shackle.
OAL. About 53.1 cm, blade length 35.6 cm, OAL w/ sheath 61 cm.
Carry method.
traditional carry with a rope.
With the leather attachment can be made into cross chest carry or a three point carry.
Or detach the shoulder strap and use a IWB carry.
