A small rattan knife, or what else?

Peter B. · 10th June 2026, 03:32 PM

I bought this knife a few days ago. It looks like a rattan knife, but it’s only 24 cm long.
Any idea what it is and where it comes from?
The blade is 2 mm thick, and the cutting edge is on the convex side of the handle.

JeffS · 10th June 2026, 05:22 PM

I have seen little ones line that used for basket weaving in Ratanakiri Cambodia.

Ian · 11th June 2026, 06:49 PM

Jeff is on the money I think. Mainland SE Asian. A small version of a work knife used in parts of Thailand and former French Indochina.

DaveA · Yesterday, 08:22 PM

I believe this to be a “mead peek nok" (birds wing knife; Thai language. In other areas the name would be different). It is reportedly found in a strip extending from Northern Burma in the west to the Tonkin Gulf, Vietnam in the east. I have two in my collection (photos below). I’ve seen photo examples in multiple sizes from small palm size to large two handed versions, all with the distinctive rosewood or similar hardwood with brass mounts. The blades are all very similar with some variations in the shape of smaller ones. The small one in the first photo is about 6 inches long. The second one is larger, OAL 21 inches and a robust 1/2 inch thick blade with a modest distal taper.

10th June 2026, 03:32 PM	#1
Peter B. Member Join Date: May 2021 Location: Germany Posts: 48	A small rattan knife, or what else? I bought this knife a few days ago. It looks like a rattan knife, but it’s only 24 cm long. Any idea what it is and where it comes from? The blade is 2 mm thick, and the cutting edge is on the convex side of the handle. Attached Images

Yesterday, 08:22 PM	#4
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 470	"mead peek nok" (birds wing knife) I believe this to be a “mead peek nok" (birds wing knife; Thai language. In other areas the name would be different). It is reportedly found in a strip extending from Northern Burma in the west to the Tonkin Gulf, Vietnam in the east. I have two in my collection (photos below). I’ve seen photo examples in multiple sizes from small palm size to large two handed versions, all with the distinctive rosewood or similar hardwood with brass mounts. The blades are all very similar with some variations in the shape of smaller ones. The small one in the first photo is about 6 inches long. The second one is larger, OAL 21 inches and a robust 1/2 inch thick blade with a modest distal taper. Attached Images

10th June 2026, 05:22 PM	#2
JeffS Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 466	I have seen little ones line that used for basket weaving in Ratanakiri Cambodia.

11th June 2026, 06:49 PM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,734	Jeff is on the money I think. Mainland SE Asian. A small version of a work knife used in parts of Thailand and former French Indochina.