Odd, curious looking knife just finished on ebay..

josh stout · 16th June 2010, 05:12 PM

I thought Chinese at first, but the edge bevel and the coating on the knife look wrong for a vintage or antique Chinese piece. After looking at the close-ups of the "makers marks", I am thinking Thai or somewhere nearby. I would guess it was made between 1940 and 1970 or so.
Josh

tom hyle · 25th June 2010, 12:22 PM

I vote North American specifically probably Mexican and definitely 1930s+ I see no Asian features at all?

tom hyle · 25th June 2010, 12:29 PM

Let me make predictions/questions
The bolster is either two plates or a single block with a slot. It is soldered to the blade (possibly with brass=brazed), though maybe pinned as well. Any pins are flush-finished so as to be hard to see (in the bolster)
The handle is scales (two plates on a flat tang)
The tang may taper in thickness, but probably not
The tang is flat in cross-section (not diagnostic of region, but I do suspect this)
The handle is on with two rivets, possibly nails.
Three would be more over-culture. Two is more folk-culture.
The leather is oak-tanned
The wood is juniper or otherwise related (least sure of this one; but definitely Mexican/ethnically Mexican if so)
How have I done, Ed MacMahon?
Karnac the magnificent?

Lew · 26th June 2010, 02:04 AM

Tom

I agree the sheath does have a Mexican or at least a south western U.S. look to it. Good call.

Lew

16th June 2010, 05:12 PM	#1
josh stout Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 407	I thought Chinese at first, but the edge bevel and the coating on the knife look wrong for a vintage or antique Chinese piece. After looking at the close-ups of the "makers marks", I am thinking Thai or somewhere nearby. I would guess it was made between 1940 and 1970 or so. Josh

25th June 2010, 12:22 PM	#2
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	I vote North American specifically probably Mexican and definitely 1930s+ I see no Asian features at all?

25th June 2010, 12:29 PM	#3
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	Let me make predictions/questions The bolster is either two plates or a single block with a slot. It is soldered to the blade (possibly with brass=brazed), though maybe pinned as well. Any pins are flush-finished so as to be hard to see (in the bolster) The handle is scales (two plates on a flat tang) The tang may taper in thickness, but probably not The tang is flat in cross-section (not diagnostic of region, but I do suspect this) The handle is on with two rivets, possibly nails. Three would be more over-culture. Two is more folk-culture. The leather is oak-tanned The wood is juniper or otherwise related (least sure of this one; but definitely Mexican/ethnically Mexican if so) How have I done, Ed MacMahon? Karnac the magnificent?

26th June 2010, 02:04 AM	#4
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Tom I agree the sheath does have a Mexican or at least a south western U.S. look to it. Good call. Lew