Formosan aboriginal knife has been part of aboriginal symbol and status. A certain head of the tribe would owned a very unique knife and another hunting knife. The original aboriginal hunting knives were longer and varies from tribe to tribe because those early days almost every tribe members were head hunters. Some of the knives come with a hallow steel handle which can be transformed into a spear. Today these knives are no longer used for head hunting however they are still made and use by many.
Found on of these hand made aboriginal knife in a flea market and decided to zest it up. There are few different blade sizes but chose a 6.5 inch blade which is not to big. Like most aboriginal knives it came with a wooden sheath.
Tested the knife and found was very strong and sharp, took a strike and it sank deep into a wooden log.
However there were some features needed to improve on the knife. The knife wooded sheath did not come with any safety retention strap making the knife dangerously coming loose easily. The handle grip with copper wire around it was not comfortable and slightly too small to hold.
Wooden Sheath Improvement
Took some old nylon webbing and a sewing machine made a belt holder and a knife retention strap with Velcro. To secure the belt loop to the wooden sheath, small eyelet rivets were used, Bison kit to glue the nylon webbing to the wooden sheath and later secured with 2 wood screws.
To strengthen the wooden sheath, a length of around 7.5mtrs of paracord was wrap around it with extra length of paracord on the lower sheath for securing the knife. This length of paracord can be used anytime in survival situation if needed. Also added an adjustable loop for belt side carry or hanging the knife.
Handle Improvement
The original copper wire that wrap around handle was removed, a length of 2.5mtr paracord was soak in the water for 15mins before it was used to wrap around the handle. By doing this method will allow the paracord to secure onto the handle tightly when it is dry.
A safety adjustable loop was allow at the handle end if the knife was ever to fly off from the hand.
Carrying Method
Securing to the tactical backpack, Grimloc D-Carabiner was used to clip on the belt loop and the extra length of paracord on the lower sheath was tied to the backpack Molle strap.
Belt carrying options
There are 2 methods of carrying the knife, one is using the belt loop and the extra length of paracord on the sheath tied to the thigh to prevent the knife from swing. The other was side carrying used by the aboriginal which allows the knife to spring into action quickly.
