Oriental paper knife

Freddy · 3rd March 2006, 06:53 PM

Yesterday, I received this small knife. I found it on ebay.belgium where it was advertised as : coupe-papier oriental (oriental paper knife).

The picture was bad, so I asked for some more pictures. These were of the same quality, but in one of them I could see that the blade was fairly thick. So I decided to go for it.....and I got it.

When I opened the package, I was surprised to find a small knife with horn handle and sheath. It's not new, as the horn has some damage. The sheath is held together by two piece of plaited rattan binding.
Most striking was the iron blade. It's 13,8 cm long and has a thick blade, measuring 6 mm near the hilt. The blade is sharp on one side.

Total length : 23 cm

My guess is that it's a woman's knife. I could be easily concealed in her clothes. It's small enough.

But upon examining the piece closer, I saw that the sheath had some carving. To my surprise, I could recognize some kind of Dayak type carving.

Can anyone help me in determining this piece ? Could it be from Borneo (and from the Dayak).

Flavio · 3rd March 2006, 07:10 PM

Hello Freddy, a nice knife

VVV · 3rd March 2006, 08:56 PM

Hello Freddy,

It looks like a Sumatran knife of the Batak tribes.
Maybe a small Rawit?

Michael

Freddy · 4th March 2006, 01:07 PM

Yes, at first I also thought so. But what about the Dayak design on the sheath ? Could it be a Sumatran knife which found its way into Borneo ? Perhaps some kind of trade item ?

VVV · 4th March 2006, 04:22 PM

Hi Freddy,

Here are three sample pictures of Batak weapons with wooden scabbards:

1. One of my ex-Kalasan (that I have traded to another forum member).
2. An Amanremu.
3. A Rawit.

Michael

Freddy · 4th March 2006, 09:33 PM

Hi Michael,

I think you're right. When I look at the picture of the rawit you show, I can see a similar decoration on the sheath. Also the small band of decoration on the handle of your knife is similar to that of mine.

Can you give us the size of this piece ? And perhaps a picture of the knife out of its sheath.

Freddy

VVV · 4th March 2006, 10:04 PM

Sure,

It's 35 cm in scabbard.

Michael

3rd March 2006, 06:53 PM	#1
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Oriental paper knife Yesterday, I received this small knife. I found it on ebay.belgium where it was advertised as : coupe-papier oriental (oriental paper knife). The picture was bad, so I asked for some more pictures. These were of the same quality, but in one of them I could see that the blade was fairly thick. So I decided to go for it.....and I got it. When I opened the package, I was surprised to find a small knife with horn handle and sheath. It's not new, as the horn has some damage. The sheath is held together by two piece of plaited rattan binding. Most striking was the iron blade. It's 13,8 cm long and has a thick blade, measuring 6 mm near the hilt. The blade is sharp on one side. Total length : 23 cm My guess is that it's a woman's knife. I could be easily concealed in her clothes. It's small enough. But upon examining the piece closer, I saw that the sheath had some carving. To my surprise, I could recognize some kind of Dayak type carving. Can anyone help me in determining this piece ? Could it be from Borneo (and from the Dayak).

4th March 2006, 04:22 PM	#5
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Hi Freddy, Here are three sample pictures of Batak weapons with wooden scabbards: 1. One of my ex-Kalasan (that I have traded to another forum member). 2. An Amanremu. 3. A Rawit. Michael Attached Images

4th March 2006, 09:33 PM	#6
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Rawit Hi Michael, I think you're right. When I look at the picture of the rawit you show, I can see a similar decoration on the sheath. Also the small band of decoration on the handle of your knife is similar to that of mine. Can you give us the size of this piece ? And perhaps a picture of the knife out of its sheath. Freddy

4th March 2006, 10:04 PM	#7
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Sure, It's 35 cm in scabbard. Michael Attached Images

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3rd March 2006, 07:10 PM	#2
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Hello Freddy, a nice knife

3rd March 2006, 08:56 PM	#3
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Hello Freddy, It looks like a Sumatran knife of the Batak tribes. Maybe a small Rawit? Michael

4th March 2006, 01:07 PM	#4
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Yes, at first I also thought so. But what about the Dayak design on the sheath ? Could it be a Sumatran knife which found its way into Borneo ? Perhaps some kind of trade item ?