New life for a file

[drdavid]

Hi all
here is another recent purchase, this from Bhutan I believe (well it looks like the few other Bhutanese knives I have seen). It has obviously been made from a file and is some serious steel. It is close to 25 cms (10") of blade and is obviously meant for heavy use. The sheath is beautifully worked. The forumites often show examples of old blades being given new lives, here is an old tool resurrected as a knife.
DrD

[Tim Simmons]

Nice scabbard, this shows nicely the value of a good piece of steel in some parts of the world. I wonder if old files and other scrap metal utensils were traded as a commodity. I think this is more Tibetan with the very eastern motifs on the scabbard. Nice to see a real one.

[Battara]

Incredible repousse on the scabbard work. Thank you for posting this one.

[eftihis]

Battara, since you liked the silverwork, i am posting photos of another with the same great work.
Regards!

[drdavid]

Lovely knife eftihis
do you have any idea on the symbols used, are they just decorative. There is certainly similarity between the symbols on the two scabbards
DrD

[eftihis]

Hi DrD!
The symbols are not just decorative, they have a meaning from Buddist teachings.
As far as i know, this is not my field:
the 2 fishes: mean prosperity, regeneration, harmony.
the "mystical" knot:for longer life
Maybe someone knows more!

[Alan62]

Very Nice Knife

[Alam Shah]

Just a thought on a possible translation of the scabbard from down upwards.
"Enlightenment brings everlasting life, harmony, reincarnation and prosperity." ;)
(I may be wrong) and need to be enlighthen. :)

[drdavid]

Hi Eftihis and Alam Shah
I am sure you are onto something here. I have posted 3 close ups of the sheath from my knife to show just how similar the iconography is. (the rear of the sheath is different and just decorative). I hope others have something to contribute here.
DrD

[Battara]

Battara, since you liked the silverwork, i am posting photos of another with the same great work.
Regards!

Thank you so much. :) One day when I grow up, I will be able to do repousse of this quality as well. :D IT is rare to find really good repousse work anymore, except in Bali today. Thanks to the others as well.

[drdavid]

Well after a bit of research I think I have found the meaning of the symbols on these sheaths. They are traditional Tibetan buddhist symbols (there are mongolian and sanskrit equivalents) known as the Eight Auspicious symbols. In general these symbols occur all together or in pairs or singularly and are often found on religious objects or objects of personal significance.
Starting at the bottom of the sheaths shown we have in order:

A Wheel, A Banner Proclaiming Victory, An Endless Knot, A Conch Shell, A Lotus, A Treasure Vase, A Pair of Golden Fishes and A Parasol (Umbrella).

Each of the symbols is steeped in Buddhist meaning, for those curious it can be further explored at this link.
http://www.exoticindiaart.com/article/symbols

DrD

[Ian]

David:

Interesting that the theme of the Eight Auspicious Symbols of Buddhism comes up again in relation to a weapon. We had a discussion three or four years ago about the Eight Auspicious Symbols in relation to decorations on a Thai or Cambodian dha. That discussion is on the old forum, at this link:

http://www.vikingsword.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/002182.html

Ian.