Knife from the Maldives

[VANDOO]

I HAD NOT HEARD ANY STORIES ABOUT WRITEING ON LEAVES WITH THEM BUT THEY ARE THE TRADITIONAL FORM OF DAGGER USED IN THE MALDIVES.
YOURS IS THE FIRST ONE I HAVE SEEN WITH THE TIP LIKE THAT I WOULD SAY IT IS DAMMAGED UNLESS SOMEONE DID IT INTENTIONALY SO THEY COULD USE IT FOR SOME PURPOSE. I TEND TO BOUBT ANYONE WOULD DAMMAGE A NICE DAGGER JUST TO WRITE ON LEAVES OR WHATEVER WHEN A SMALL TOOL COULD BE EASILY FASHIONED FROM SOMETHING ELSE EVEN WOOD.
ON THE GOOD ONES THE MATERIAL USED ON THE POMEL IS MADE FROM SPERM WHALE TOOTH, BONE WAS NOT USED AT ALL ON ANY OF THE EXAMPLES I HAVE SEEN. THEY MAKE SOME FOR SALE TO TOURISTS THAT ARE COVERED IN BLACK CORAL OR MOTHER OF PEARL CURRENTLY. THE GOOD OLD ONES ARE VERY EXPENSIVE TO BUY IN THE MALDIVES AND DIFFICULT TO FIND TODAY. MOST TOURISTS COME ON THE CRUISE SHIPS THAT STOP THERE SO IF ONE IS IN PORT OR EXPECTED SOON PRICES ARE UP. CONGRADULATIONS ON A SELDOM SEEN KNIFE!
I MOSTLY SAY TO CLEAN OFF ANY ACTIVE RUST IS OK BUT TO GLEAN AGRESIVELY ENOUGH TO REMOVE PATINA OR TO GO DOWN TO BARE METAL FOR A ETCH TO SEE IF THERE IS A GOOD PATTERN IS A MORE DIFFICULT CALL. PERSONALY I PREFER TO JUST USE OIL OR WAX TO STABILIZE A PATINATED BLADE OR ONE BLACK WITH OLD STABLE RUST OF COURSE THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS TO EVERY RULE .