Ethnographic folding knives

Andrew · 9th June 2010, 02:32 AM

Here's a recent addition I picked up from OA. This is what Artzi (Avner?) had to say:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oriental-Arms

The origin and use of this type of folding knifes is not very clear and there are numerous suggestions: Ranging from knives to clean opium pipes to knives for cutting and inscribing on dates leaves. The origin is most probably from the Indo-China area. It has a 3 inches blade, hollow ground, 3 inches back spike and ivory handle with engraved inscription. handle. 6 ½ inches fully opened. Very good condition.

This is clearly from SEA. My impression is Thai based on the blade profile, but if someone (PUFF?

) were able to translate the inscription on the handle, we would surely learn more.

Andrew

Rick · 9th June 2010, 02:38 AM

Just kinda found its way to you unnoticed.

Lucky Guy .

Andrew · 9th June 2010, 02:48 AM

lol.

Amazingly, this is likely the first purchase I've made in over a year!

Andrew · 9th June 2010, 02:52 AM

And, since I'm now a moderator emeritus, I abused my still intact super-powers to edit the thread title (temporarily) to entice PUFF to come join us.

Berkley · 9th June 2010, 02:57 AM

From China, usually called a "fish knife":

OTOH, compare this modern variant:http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-Chinese-Arm...item3a5b3436ac

Nathaniel · 10th June 2010, 03:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Berkley

From China, usually called a "fish knife":

OTOH, compare this modern variant:http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-Chinese-Arm...item3a5b3436ac

Interesting knife...the ebay post had some very interesting information

I wonder why the blade does not open up to a wider angle?

Nathaniel · 10th June 2010, 03:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew

Here's a recent addition I picked up from OA. This is what Artzi (Avner?) had to say:

This is clearly from SEA. My impression is Thai based on the blade profile, but if someone (PUFF?

) were able to translate the inscription on the handle, we would surely learn more.

Andrew

Andrew, Just saw your post. The script is not Thai...not sure what it is

PUFF · 10th June 2010, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew

Here's a recent addition I picked up from OA. This is what Artzi (Avner?) had to say:

This is clearly from SEA. My impression is Thai based on the blade profile, but if someone (PUFF?

) were able to translate the inscription on the handle, we would surely learn more.

Andrew

Thanks Nathaniel for sending me a link to this thread. I rarely visit this forum this year.

The inscription is not Thai. And as fas as I know, it doesnt looks like Burmese nor Khmer.

Folding knife is not common for Thai before 18-19C. Most of small knives are fixed blade.

Andrew · 11th June 2010, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PUFF

Thanks Nathaniel for sending me a link to this thread. I rarely visit this forum this year.

The inscription is not Thai. And as fas as I know, it doesnt looks like Burmese nor Khmer.

Folding knife is not common for Thai before 18-19C. Most of small knives are fixed blade.

Ah, curious. Many thanks.

Would you agree that blade profile looks Thai?

The file-work on the spike strikes me as possibly Indian. Hmmmm.

kronckew · 11th June 2010, 07:26 AM

thought that last one looked familiar, opium smoking knife from china:

Linky

i suspect the other 'thai' friction folder with the pictographic writing is also an opium knife. the knife is used to trim wicks and cut the opium into small bits, which are then carefully impaled on a skewer, or opium pin, for placement in the flame for cooking before being placed in the pipe bowl. the thai/hmong knife's spike tip seems to have been subject to similar use. these are early 'combo' tools.

the chinese 'cavalry' knife in the earlier posted link has a spike for removing stones and other items stuck in a horse's hoof, and the blade is used to trim any sharp edges on the hoof.

many knives, such as my royal navy/marine issue knife

have similar stubby blades in the warncliffe or sheepsfoot patterns, with marlinspikes added for use in rope and knot work.

mross · 11th June 2010, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew

Here's a recent addition I picked up from OA. This is what Artzi (Avner?) had to say:

This is clearly from SEA. My impression is Thai based on the blade profile, but if someone (PUFF?

) were able to translate the inscription on the handle, we would surely learn more.

Andrew

This style of knife is often refered to as a friction folder.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/sh...friction+knife

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/sh...friction+knife

http://www.britishblades.com/forums/...read.php?14882

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=298709

Berkley · 11th June 2010, 11:28 PM

kronckew,
That knife is an interesting variation, since its tail does indeed appear to be in the form of tweezers such as are commonly used for holding sticky balls of uncooked opium. Most of the "fish knives" I have seen have solid spikes more suitable for knotwork on lines or nets (or cleaning hooves). The basic Chinese folder design appears to have a variety of possible uses.
Berk

kronckew · 12th June 2010, 06:25 AM

ah, how soon we forget:

a similar thai style knife in a earlier post in this thread. see post no. 19...

a thread on the chinese 'peasants' knife...
Linky

the friction folder has been around since early roman times at least, and are still quite popular.

modern peasants knives:

the one on the left is considerably older than the other two

chregu · 14th June 2010, 07:18 PM

France
Austria Taschenfeitel
Spain Navaja
Corsica Vendeta
Italy?
France?
In the boxes are all my penknife
Witrinesind in all good pocket knife, the bottom row are all Swiss Army Knives

ericlaude · 22nd July 2010, 09:14 PM

I present my last conquest.
An Afghan folding knife.

laEspadaAncha · 23rd July 2010, 03:54 AM

I'll throw my scribe knife into the ring... Same handle form as the one from OA (but different material) and same hollow-grind to the blade.

This one was picked up on the Malabar coast... The vendor had several (the ivory-handled example can cost a few bucks), and described them exactly (as did my wife) as they have been described elsewhere in this thread, as having been used for inscribing on leaves.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 16th September 2013, 06:45 PM

Salaams All ~ Nice thread ... Heres 4; The white bone handle is razor like and sharp and possibly a circumcision item, Bedu and accompanied by a tooled leather case. The hook shape looks vaguelly for use on a ship and the brass one is Pakistani. The star and moon hilt is Solingen. Thats it !

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

11th June 2010, 07:26 AM	#10
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	thought that last one looked familiar, opium smoking knife from china: Linky i suspect the other 'thai' friction folder with the pictographic writing is also an opium knife. the knife is used to trim wicks and cut the opium into small bits, which are then carefully impaled on a skewer, or opium pin, for placement in the flame for cooking before being placed in the pipe bowl. the thai/hmong knife's spike tip seems to have been subject to similar use. these are early 'combo' tools. the chinese 'cavalry' knife in the earlier posted link has a spike for removing stones and other items stuck in a horse's hoof, and the blade is used to trim any sharp edges on the hoof. many knives, such as my royal navy/marine issue knife have similar stubby blades in the warncliffe or sheepsfoot patterns, with marlinspikes added for use in rope and knot work. Last edited by kronckew; 11th June 2010 at 08:07 AM.

11th June 2010, 11:28 PM	#12
Berkley Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Austin, Texas USA Posts: 257	kronckew, That knife is an interesting variation, since its tail does indeed appear to be in the form of tweezers such as are commonly used for holding sticky balls of uncooked opium. Most of the "fish knives" I have seen have solid spikes more suitable for knotwork on lines or nets (or cleaning hooves). The basic Chinese folder design appears to have a variety of possible uses. Berk Attached Images

12th June 2010, 06:25 AM	#13
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	ah, how soon we forget: a similar thai style knife in a earlier post in this thread. see post no. 19... a thread on the chinese 'peasants' knife... Linky the friction folder has been around since early roman times at least, and are still quite popular. modern peasants knives: the one on the left is considerably older than the other two Last edited by kronckew; 12th June 2010 at 06:46 AM.

14th June 2010, 07:18 PM	#14
chregu Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: switzerland Posts: 298	my Pocket Knife and Folder France Austria Taschenfeitel Spain Navaja Corsica Vendeta Italy? France? In the boxes are all my penknife Witrinesind in all good pocket knife, the bottom row are all Swiss Army Knives Attached Images

22nd July 2010, 09:14 PM	#15
ericlaude Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 187	Lohar family I present my last conquest. An Afghan folding knife. Attached Images

9th June 2010, 02:38 AM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	Just kinda found its way to you unnoticed. Lucky Guy .

9th June 2010, 02:48 AM	#3
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	lol. Amazingly, this is likely the first purchase I've made in over a year!

9th June 2010, 02:52 AM	#4
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	And, since I'm now a moderator emeritus, I abused my still intact super-powers to edit the thread title (temporarily) to entice PUFF to come join us.

9th June 2010, 02:57 AM	#5
Berkley Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Austin, Texas USA Posts: 257	From China, usually called a "fish knife": OTOH, compare this modern variant:http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-Chinese-Arm...item3a5b3436ac

23rd July 2010, 03:54 AM	#16
laEspadaAncha Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 608	I'll throw my scribe knife into the ring... Same handle form as the one from OA (but different material) and same hollow-grind to the blade. This one was picked up on the Malabar coast... The vendor had several (the ivory-handled example can cost a few bucks), and described them exactly (as did my wife) as they have been described elsewhere in this thread, as having been used for inscribing on leaves.

16th September 2013, 06:45 PM	#17
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Salaams All ~ Nice thread ... Heres 4; The white bone handle is razor like and sharp and possibly a circumcision item, Bedu and accompanied by a tooled leather case. The hook shape looks vaguelly for use on a ship and the brass one is Pakistani. The star and moon hilt is Solingen. Thats it ! Regards, Ibrahiim al Balooshi. Attached Images