Wahaika parāoa (short edged weapon)

A fine example of a wahaika paraoa, or whale bone patu, a short handled striking weapon used in close quarter combat. The principal striking edges of the wahaika is the convex distal tip and the concave point at which the end of the blade curves back towards the hand-grip. The hand-grip itself is enhanced by the addition of a human figure carved in high relief. whale bone is a durable, hard and dense material, and highly suited for the manufacturing of striking weapons.