Number of posts : 150 Reputation : 15 Join Date : 2010-12-07 Location : Rarely in Reality... Ever...
Subject: Maori Taiaha December 13th 2012, 9:54 pm
Taiaha - Purportedly the most well known & sought after traditional weapons of the Maori of New Zealand. They're in the blunt weapons category because they aren't used like spears, not quite. They have broad, flat, tapering staves with a Tiki-type head at the bottom, ending in a protruding tongue of either carved wood, stone, or even Jade. Taiaha are sometimes used like a staves, with movements that resemble wielding a two-handed sword, and only rarely thrusting the point like a spear.
{OK, that one seems a bit short, and the third one up there is almost "Pouwhenua"}
I embedded this video in another thread, but now that I'm finally adding this topic to the forum, it belongs here.
I've mentioned them, AboMickey has mentioned them briefly, and I Know that at least two members on this site plan to make one. I don't Know what RedneckNinja has in mind, but Mine is far from traditional; without the traditional style, symbolism & blessings, Mine will only ever be a fancy stick.
Here's a sketch of My "Taiaha" {read: Fancy Stick} Once I have the cash to spare, I'll purchase a BEAUTIFUL set of Purple knapped-glass blades to use for the tongue. Redneck Ninja makes some AWESOME stuff.
I carved a mini one, um, just cuz. That shiny thing is a penny to give a sense of scale.
Here are some crappy sketches of a Taiaha that I based on sea-snakes, rattlesnakes, and hooded cobras. See-snakes have paddle-things at the end of their tails. I penciled a few variations. I just wanted to get these on paper before I had a chance to Forget. My Memory is terrible. I might draw less crappy ones at some point {see how nice the My Butterfly Taiaha up there turned out? I'm not the absolute worst artist out there}, but I don't have much Intention to actually carve any of these ones. OK, maybe if I'm bored enough; just don't count on it. Damn, I'm long-winded.
That's a sea-snake. See the paddle? I also tried emulating it's tiger-ish stripes in the one, but with spirals that can scarcely be seen.
This is a hairstick I carved from minty-fresh birch. If you look closely at the details, you may soon realize that this has nothing to do with Taiaha at all!
Who else wants a Taiaha? Any sketches, drawings, AND ESPECIALLY CARVINGS would be greatly appreciated.
Last edited by Chasing-Butterflies on December 31st 2013, 9:28 pm; edited 1 time in total
cowscankill Weapons Master
Number of posts : 1371 Reputation : 89 Join Date : 2010-01-09 Location : United States
Subject: Re: Maori Taiaha December 18th 2012, 8:41 pm
Ah, I feel like I never have enough time! I haven't made more than three things in 5 months...Wish I could get into wood carving, but I haven't even been able to show you guys my new pneumatic designs for under 30 bucks.
Oh boy, I'll get to it eventually...
Chasing-Butterflies Xiphoid Fanatic
Number of posts : 150 Reputation : 15 Join Date : 2010-12-07 Location : Rarely in Reality... Ever...
Subject: Re: Maori Taiaha December 31st 2013, 9:24 pm
Heri Za Kwanzaa, yo!
Finally Carved one for Myself. Well, actually, I finished that back in October, I Think, but I'm finally posting pictures of it. It's not the Butterfly or snake-themed one I had in Mind, but I like it anyway. I may sell it or give it away. These are not real Taiaha, as they did not receive the traditional blessings. I don't even Know how long I spent on this thing. It cuts through the air like an airplane wing, swiftly, and despite the soft wood, this could do some serious damage in the blink of an eye. The tongue, although wooden, is sharp enough to cut like a knife.
About 5 feet {1.5metres?} long. Fern motif on the blade {the top of the staff is considered the blade}, Koru {spirals} on the Tongue, red suede & black cord tassel instead of feathers.
I'll probably turn the miniature one into a necklace, or even hang it off of the full-sized one at some point.
CCK, if you ever do Carve anything, I'd appreciate seeing it.
Also known as a Retractable Forearm Dagger, Xiphoid is a class of weapons with a blade that is retractable into a forearm worn wristband/bracer sheath. Designed for swift and quick surprise attacks. It is notable for being evolved from the Katar and the Pata, punching swords with the blade sitting inline with the users fist..
There's two kinds of people in this world when you boil it all down.
You've got your 'talkers' and you've got your 'doers'.
Most people are just talkers, all they got is talk. But when all is said and done, it's the doers who change this world. And when they do that, they change us. And thats why we never forget them...
So which one are you? Do you just talk about it or do you stand up and do something about it? Because believe you me, all the rest of it is just bullshit.
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SINZA LA’FLESH WEAPONEER weap·on·eer - noun definition: an expert in the design and production of weapons Click above picture to make your own hero and see the rest of ours.