small dha

[wilked aka Khun Deng]

Freddy meed maw (lit. doctor knife) or meed phra (lit. preist knife) are as katana stated talismanic and while they come in varying sizes from penknife to full blown dha what makes them meed phra is the blessing they receive from a Buddhist priest. The more venerated the Buddhist priest the more potent and expensive they are. Sometimes the priests would wrap a hair or a small paper prayer around the tang before the smith finished assembly.

Different temples and makers will have different designs on the blades generally near the hilt. While I haven't seen one with this particular blade profile or design it does show some age and the handle wrap and scabbard manufacture are of the old technique so I'd say you have a nice piece there.
BTW these can be QUITE expensive in Thailand.

As for the other two;
The top one I'm at a loss it almost looks like someone mixed styles when they added the new scabbard, but the blade itself with the upturned tip follows the profile of other meed phra I've seen and I've seen a similar handle (although using pewter instead the brass ferrules) but that scabbard doesn't seem to fit at all.

The middle knife is a newer example of a northern hill tribe knife (Mark has the actual name - it escapes me right now). Every male member of the hill tribes carries these. The blades are generally of less than stellar quality and the ivory on this one shows none of the yellowing I'd expect with age, but a very nice piece none the less.

Dan

[Nathaniel]

Good to hear from Khun Deng.

Here are my some more to add:

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=5162

[Nathaniel]

Any more of the working type:

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=5163

[wilked aka Khun Deng]

Thanks Nathaniel, there was an old post where I discussed these previously and posted pictures from a vendor at Chattu Chak market who specializes in these (but the search feature has defeated me yet again). I picked up one from Lung Phra Derm along with the hardback book that details the amulets and priest knifes of that particular monk (and mine was in the book). I became an instant celebrity with the wife's relatives in country

[wilked aka Khun Deng]

Some pics I saved.

[kahnjar1]

This one is VERY small as you can see. It is designed as an amulet but none the less a true knife. Also another pic of knives at Chatuchak Market Bangkok.

[Mark]

Oh, you guys are making me drool.

Am I correct that the defining feature of a meed maw or meed phra is the blessing, not the shape?

Dan, is the book you refer to the one pictured below? Any idea where I could get a copy? I have two promotional posters for it that picture a beautiful array of meed phra of all shapes and sizes, as well as other talismans.