Quote:
Originally Posted by fernando
Gentlemen, i'm afraid i am still far from solving this riddle. Somebody out there sugested it could be a flensing ( whaling) knife but, so far, no evidence shown.
Thanks for the picture and the link, David. I am impressed with those endless poles, looking like they are composed of various sections tied to eachother. However decidedly not the sort of the piece i am questioning on, right ?
Fernando
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Hi Fernando,
Flensing knives also have long handles. Wooden handled whaling implements often had the handles replaced regularly (salt water/moisture damage) and therefore would only be 'crudely' made. However, yours is a socketted fitting sugesting that this indeed at some time the blade was mounted on a pole or longer handle. The lack of heavy pitting (seen on many whaling impliments) suggests little contact with the sea.
http://www.historyshelf.org/secf/whale/13.php
The Malaysian Parang Ginah is often described as a sickle/sword perhaps your example is a similar implement (ie agricultural/weapon) or had a shorter handle fitted so it could be used as such
Regards David
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