Malay whatsit?
 

I have no recollection of when or where I acquired this one, but it probably came into my hands in the 1960s as part of a bundle of items purchased in SE Asia.

The carved horn hilt suggests a Malay origin. What is unusual about this one is that the sharpened portion is the broad curved end of the blade. The workmanship is village quality with a rough blade and the ferrule is a simple piece of metal wrapped around the hilt. The hilt is large--made for someone with a large hand.

My wife thinks it is a kitchen tool for chopping herbs, and she may well be right. But I thought I would put it up here for further opinions.

OAL = 14 inches

Ian.

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Interesting item; the only helpful comment that I can offer is never correct your wife or tell her that she is wrong.