And now for something completely different

[Ron Anderson]

I bought this on the weekend.

It's a folding knife with a guillotine which I believe is for betel nuts. It has white on part of the knife which is typical of betel nut utensils. I've never seen an item quite like this though.

It has a fair bit of rust, unfortunately. But its not irredeemable.

I'm not sure where it comes from - India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan/Afghanistan are the most likely candidates.

In some ways it reminds me of a Lohar pick from Afghanistan. But that may be entirely coincidental. The blade has two resting points – at a 90 degree angle, and straight at 180 degrees.

Does anybody have more of a clue as to where it hails from?

[Ron Anderson]

This isn't penknife size by the way. It's fairly hefty. Here's another photo to give you an idea of the size, and a close up of the brass inlay.

[fernando]

Quite unusual, both guillotine design and pocket knife blade !
Possibly Indian?
You don't see anything similar in "BETEL CUTERS" by Henry Brownrigg.
Is it my eyes or there are two initials on the handle?

-

[Sajen]

I would guess that it is indeed Indian but I also never have seen something similar until now. But it is certain a betel cutter. My guess is the north of India, maybe Rajasthan.

[Ron Anderson]

Thanks Fernando and Sajen

Fernando, no that's not a signature. There's a fair bit of rust on that side and the brass inlay pattern has been broken up there,making it look perhaps like initials.

I'm sure India is correct, and I suspect it's pretty old.

It might even be described as "Indo-Persian". It may not show in the books because it's not strictly speaking a weapon.

It's a nice little oddity.