Spearhead knife?? (w/ pics) SOLVED

[discovery_bound]

Hi folks,
Picked this lil' guy up at an estate auction today and nobody really knew what the heck it was, except for some sort of knife. I'm far from an expert, but this thing looks very, very old and is quite heavy for the size. From a certain angle of light, the blade will show a goldish colored shine between the patina. What kind of metal would this have been made from. I've done a few searches online but am coming up short, and since this site has the most knowledgable people, I figured I'd better post this and see what comes up. Would also like to find out what part of the world this came from if possible. All and any help is appreciated, thanks.

HH
DB

 

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[Iron Patch]

Re: Spearhead knife?? (w/ pics)

I don't know what to make of that one! It doesn't add up to me so I kind of have a bad feeling about it. Am curious to see what it ends up being.

If the handle is wood I think it might be a frankenknife you have there. (a misc. handle and blade slapped together)

 

[discovery_bound]

Re: Spearhead knife?? (w/ pics)

I don't know what to make of that one! It doesn't add up to me so I kind of have a bad feeling about it. Am curious to see what it ends up being.

If the handle is wood I think it might be a frankenknife you have there. (a misc. handle and blade slapped together)

I'm thinking the handle is not wood, but looks like it. Feels like some sort of polished/smooth stone. Kind of hard to explain. Real or not, for $40 I think it's pretty neat.

 

[Iron Patch]

Re: Spearhead knife?? (w/ pics)

I don't know what to make of that one! It doesn't add up to me so I kind of have a bad feeling about it. Am curious to see what it ends up being.

If the handle is wood I think it might be a frankenknife you have there. (a misc. handle and blade slapped together)

I'm thinking the handle is not wood, but looks like it. Feels like some sort of polished/smooth stone. Kind of hard to explain. Real or not, for $40 I think it's pretty neat.

An early knife could be bone, but for some reason it doesn't quite look right. Having said that, I have zero experience in early bone handled knives so...

 

[QUICKSILVER (appletree)]

Re: Spearhead knife?? (w/ pics)

it appears to be a really old spear head on a knife handle?

 

[discovery_bound]

Re: Spearhead knife?? (w/ pics)

it appears to be a really old spear head on a knife handle?

I was leaning towards a spearhead, but am wondering about the ornate appearance. Looks like a salamander or some kind of lizard, and not sure what to make of the patterned blade. I can't find squat doing various searches online.

Rubbing my thumb over the end of the handle feels alot like marble.

 

[Iron Patch]

Re: Spearhead knife?? (w/ pics)

My guess for the very little it's worth is it's modern and the blade is chemically aged to look old.

 

[discovery_bound]

Re: Spearhead knife?? (w/ pics)

My guess for the very little it's worth is it's modern and the blade is chemically aged to look old.

That's a good possibility IP. It's hard to believe when actually holding this thing though. haha Interesting either way.

 

[Iron Patch]

Re: Spearhead knife?? (w/ pics)

My guess for the very little it's worth is it's modern and the blade is chemically aged to look old.

That's a good possibility IP. It's hard to believe when actually holding this thing though. haha Interesting either way.

You know when something just strikes you funny... well that does it to me. So you still have a chance because it's only my gut talking!

 

[CRUSADER]

Re: Spearhead knife?? (w/ pics)

My guess for the very little it's worth is it's modern and the blade is chemically aged to look old.

my thoughts as well, looks like chemicals to me

 

[CRUSADER]

Re: Spearhead knife?? (w/ pics)

Hi folks,
Picked this lil' guy up at an estate auction today and nobody really knew what the heck it was, except for some sort of knife. I'm far from an expert, but this thing looks very, very old and is quite heavy for the size. From a certain angle of light, the blade will show a goldish colored shine between the patina. What kind of metal would this have been made from. I've done a few searches online but am coming up short, and since this site has the most knowledgable people, I figured I'd better post this and see what comes up. Would also like to find out what part of the world this came from if possible. All and any help is appreciated, thanks.

HH
DB

This is the worrying statement, auctions do this if they have an iffy sale. Best say they don't know in the hope for a good sale than the truth. That way you buy 'as seen'.

 

[discovery_bound]

Re: Spearhead knife?? (w/ pics)

My guess for the very little it's worth is it's modern and the blade is chemically aged to look old.

my thoughts as well, looks like chemicals to me

Not lookin' like a good outcome here.

 

[CRUSADER]

Re: Spearhead knife?? (w/ pics)

My guess for the very little it's worth is it's modern and the blade is chemically aged to look old.

my thoughts as well, looks like chemicals to me

Not lookin' like a good outcome here.

Yeah, sorry about that, if you paid a lot :P

A sign to look for in the future is kinda what you noticed. The shinny new metal that you saw underneath would not be on an ancient object unless it was recently damaged, as most old scars would heal (oxides over). So the gold colour (probably brass or bronze) was an indicator of bad news. Plus the chemical make a patina which you begin to spot after handling a few, plus seeing the real thing. Normally quite a bluey green colour & can be too bright & more obvious in the low recesses.

You now have a good example of a fake/souvenir to study, it all helps your knowledge bank Look at it closely & remember its features, soon you will spot it in photos as well.

 

[CRUSADER]

Re: Spearhead knife?? (w/ pics)

A good question I can't answer is what is it copying? It would be good to compare to the real thing. The loops on the sides are similar to our Bronze Age Axes (circa 2000BC), not that it looks British at all. Looks kinda Eastern

I guess you can see the Lizard, but what is in front of it? & whats is coming out of its mouth? (kinda Mayan looking)

 

[discovery_bound]

Re: Spearhead knife?? (w/ pics)

My guess for the very little it's worth is it's modern and the blade is chemically aged to look old.

my thoughts as well, looks like chemicals to me

Not lookin' like a good outcome here.

Yeah, sorry about that, if you paid a lot :P

A sign to look for in the future is kinda what you noticed. The shinny new metal that you saw underneath would not be on an ancient object unless it was recently damaged, as most old scars would heal (oxides over). So the gold colour (probably brass or bronze) was an indicator of bad news. Plus the chemical make a patina which you begin to spot after handling a few, plus seeing the real thing. Normally quite a bluey green colour & can be too bright & more obvious in the low recesses.

You now have a good example of a fake/souvenir to study, it all helps your knowledge bank Look at it closely & remember its features, soon you will spot it in photos as well.

Thanks for the help, and you make a good point about having something to study. I didn't think of it that way. I'm still curious as to what it's made to resemble though. The majority of items in that auction were Japanese/Chinese themed, lots of Jade pieces, pottery, etc. Maybe I should try to clean up one side of the blade since it's the same on both sides to get a clearer picture. What do you think?

 

[La Beep]

Re: Spearhead knife?? (w/ pics)

Boredom ... Fence top piece attached to handle.

 

[mcmich]

Re: Spearhead knife?? (w/ pics)

I am with QUICKSILVER, looks like a spear or lance head. The loops for attaching a flag. Does not look functional though, ornamental maybe? What does the handle end look like? I don't think I would clean it.

The glyphs are odd, Mayan/Aztec looking for sure.

 

[discovery_bound]

Re: Spearhead knife?? (w/ pics)

I am with QUICKSILVER, looks like a spear or lance head. The loops for attaching a flag. Does not look functional though, ornamental maybe? What does the handle end look like?

End of the handle is flat, smooth, and feels like dull stone.

 

[taz42o]

Re: Spearhead knife?? (w/ pics)

I would not clean it until you know for sure what you have. Read what it says here under Chinese metal working. Even some chemical patina pieces have value. It looks oriental and may be ceremonial witch may be why its so ornate. I have found similar online that were listed as Chinese but wether they are authentic or not I dont know. But you should make sure what you have before you ruin it.

http://books.google.com/books?id=eZ...snum=1&ved=0CAUQ6AEwADgo#v=onepage&q=&f=false

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Rare-Ch...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item563a5a9b7d

 

[discovery_bound]

Re: Spearhead knife?? (w/ pics)

I would not clean it until you know for sure what you have. Read what it says here under Chinese metal working. Even some chemical patina pieces have value. It looks oriental and may be ceremonial witch may be why its so ornate. I have found similar online that were listed as Chinese but wether they are authentic or not I dont know. But you should make sure what you have before you ruin it.

http://books.google.com/books?id=eZ...snum=1&ved=0CAUQ6AEwADgo#v=onepage&q=&f=false

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Rare-Ch...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item563a5a9b7d

Thanks for that info and links taz, very informative. I researched ebay and I think I have a winner....looks about identical to the one I have, minus the handle. Looks like a green check is on the way.

Thank you all for your input. Guess it won't be my retirement find after all!

HH
DB

http://cgi.ebay.com/Chinese-Bronze-...ewItemQQptZAsian_Antiques?hash=item335b08b884