View Single Post
Old 11th June 2010, 07:26 AM   #57
kronckew
Member
 
kronckew's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Room 101, Glos. UK
Posts: 4,150
Default

thought that last one looked familiar, opium smoking knife from china:


Linky

i suspect the other 'thai' friction folder with the pictographic writing is also an opium knife. the knife is used to trim wicks and cut the opium into small bits, which are then carefully impaled on a skewer, or opium pin, for placement in the flame for cooking before being placed in the pipe bowl. the thai/hmong knife's spike tip seems to have been subject to similar use. these are early 'combo' tools.

the chinese 'cavalry' knife in the earlier posted link has a spike for removing stones and other items stuck in a horse's hoof, and the blade is used to trim any sharp edges on the hoof.

many knives, such as my royal navy/marine issue knife

have similar stubby blades in the warncliffe or sheepsfoot patterns, with marlinspikes added for use in rope and knot work.

Last edited by kronckew; 11th June 2010 at 08:07 AM.
kronckew is offline   Reply With Quote