Show off your Chinese fighting knives :)

[Timo Nieminen]

The weather was not good for photography today, nor was my camera, but here is a pair of knives. About 4mm thick at the spine at the widest part of the blade. Wedge-section, tapered.

Also, a much bigger knife.

I have no details about their origins, other than they're Chinese.

[Lew]

Here are three nice examples that are no longer in my collection . The two top ones are Chinese the smaller one is Vietnamese.

[Neil]

I think the stacked look on the guard of the most recent photos is interesting and something I have not seen on others. Although there are two sitting right next to each other. Unlike the octagonal pommel which is a commonly seen feature on Chinese weapons in general, is that guard presentation often seen by others.

Lew, do you have any back story or provenance on these two in particular.

I have also read somewhere that these forms of daggers were also made in San Fransisco in the mid to late 19th century. Are others familiar with this information. If so, can you elaborate on it.

[Timo Nieminen]

Originally Posted by Neil

I have also read somewhere that these forms of daggers were also made in San Fransisco in the mid to late 19th century. Are others familiar with this information. If so, can you elaborate on it.

They were certainly used in San Francisco; they're a classic part of the weaponry of Chinese gangs of the area. Other weapons of note include butterfly swords, Japanese tanto, truncheons/clubs including cha/sai, cleavers, axes, and the occasional revolver.

The magic google search terms, which will find some contemporary illustrations (from scare journalism?), are "Highbinder weapons".

How much was made locally, I don't know.

[Neil]

Thanks for your comment. Although I should have been more specific. I believe I read they were made by American cutlers in San Fransisco for the Chinese-American market as well, although I can not remember their names. I will try to find the information.

Edited:
Oh, I found the old post and did not remember it properly. Appears to be less specific than I thought.

[Lew]

You should google old knife makers of San Francisco Will &Finck made versions of this type of Chinese Bowie knife. This photo is from my old copy of the book.

[KuKulzA28]

Absolutely fascinated by the info you guys are presenting.

[Neil]

Originally Posted by Lew

You should google old knife makers of San Francisco Will &Finck made versions of this type of Chinese Bowie knife. This photo is from my old copy of the book.

That's really interesting. Thank you Lew for sharing. The fact that they were being made by American Cutlers/knife makers makes me think of two the questions. Were these knives in that high of demand, or just novelties. Also, is it possible that they were more utilitarian oriented than fighting. Meaning the need to cut in more mundane situations no doubt happened more often than combat. Maybe they are on the large side for practical utility, and doubles. I am curious what others think.

I thought I would also put up an example with a scabbard that speaks to one of the original question of what the scabbards were made of. By no means is this definitive, but rather one example.