I agree Katana figural daggers may have been made for varied purposes or used as such later in thier life. Same as many knives.
Some clearly have Satanic themes, others may or may not & some clearly dont. I have seen no evidence of these bieng ritual knives but dont say its impossible.
Many organsations , groups & indivduals, like particular knives for particular purposes after all.
The blade style is typical of French figural knives of the period, some of which have "satanic" themes & some of which dont. It does appear to have been cut out of an older blade though. This is also common of those with Satanic themes that often used blades from Napoleans Mamuluke daggers from about 1805? I seem to recall? Whether its common in French figural knives without "satanic" themes I dont know. But I rather suspect many of these were made by the same workshops of sculpters & old blades were available & perhaps saved employing a cutler with a forge? They were just, cut ground, drilled etc.
But that is just my conjecture.
Indeed Tim, I did enjoy that one while it was in my company.
Intrestingly I noticed "non knife" people particularily women found it fascinating. But then I guess most of them were artists.
Spiral