Japanese Knife Blade

[sabertasche]

Hi all, I won this small blade on ebay thinking that it was a kozuka blade. It was labled as a "ninja knife". Despite the lable and poor photos, I put in a low bid and won the auction. What arrived in the mail is a bit of a mystery. The construction is quite facinating despite its' small size. I believe it is too thick to fit a kozuka handle and the blade too wide to fit in a saya. It appears to have a hamon or at least a hardened edge.

It looks Japanese but as to its purpose, I have no idea. I am Intrigued by the "rat tail" tang, it must fit on to some form of handle. Has anyone else seen a similar blade? I'm hoping a more learned collector can shed some light on my newest "ninja knife."

Regards,

Greg

[Rich]

I've played with all sorts of Japanese edged weapons, tools, etc for about 30 years - never seen anything like this. Not sure it is Japanese; not sure it isn't :-)

Rich S
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Richard Stein, PhD
Old Puukkophile
NKCA Life Member

Japanese Sword Guide
http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/nihonto.htm
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[sabertasche]

Thanks Rich, the blade is flat on one side and beveled on the other. What is the technical term for this in a Japanese context?

Greg

[Lew]

What you have here is a puukko blade from Finland.

http://www.hankala.com/suomi/kayttop/lastu.htm

[Rich]

No, sorry, not a Finnish Puukko. I have lots of them, about 300 vintage and a few modern ones, and they never have one flat side. Hankala's Lastu puukko is diamond cross section. The proper Japanese term for blades flat on one side - katakiri-ha if I recall correctly.

Rich S

-------------------------------------------------------
Richard Stein, PhD
Old Puukkophile
NKCA Life Member

Japanese Sword Guide
http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/nihonto.htm

[fearn]

I've got several American production blades that are single-beveled. It's cheaper to produce them that way.

That twisty, pointed handle makes me start thinking that it's either a special-use tool, or alternatively, it was an art project by a blacksmith.

Best,

F

[pbleed]

I am sure that this is a post-war Japanese "paper knife" the sort of thing somebody would keep in there desk to, well, cut paper or wahtwever. There were common in "craft stores" 30 years ago. Folk craft not weaponry
Peter

[Rich]

Peter -

Thanks for the id. I'd never seen one of this type before. The twisted handle is what made me doubt its Japanese origin. Thanks again,

Rich S
-------------------------------------------------------
Richard Stein, PhD
Old Puukkophile
NKCA Life Member

Japanese Sword Guide
http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/nihonto.htm

[sabertasche]

Thanks guys, I'' call it a "ninja paperknife." :D I took it to the local knife collectors club and they came up with a similar use. A tool rather than a weapon.

Cheers,

Greg