Not a kukri...

Atlantia · 27th February 2012, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiral

Nice example Stan!

Cheers Gene for your confidence, Luckily I know the answear although not truly my field!

so chaps heres what there not...

Thats not Thai. Not Hindu not Buddhist thats not a swastika there not Nepali there not Indian.

There Roman Cathlic from the Pacific ocean.

Its a Chamorro knife from Guam.

N2S an American kukri collector & forumite on IKRHS & Bladeforums has a few of them.

Heres some of his from his website. {sorry mods its a hotlink, havent got rights to steal & post here.} {Hes a great chap though I am sure he wont mind.}

Looks a good old one to me....There many subtelties in varients though.

spiral

LOL, how weird! I was completely wrong but you were still the right man for the ID!
I knew you'd have a photographic memory of anything even remotely Kukri-esq!
Good catch mate.
Best
Gene

spiral · 27th February 2012, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlantia

LOL, how weird! I was completely wrong but you were still the right man for the ID!
I knew you'd have a photographic memory of anything even remotely Kukri-esq!
Good catch mate.
Best
Gene

Well the obsession with them has certanly taken many diverse avenues & studies over the years!

Cheers Man,

Spiral

Stan S. · 28th February 2012, 03:08 AM

Spiral, please forgive my ignorance but other than the downcurved blade and a wooden grip held in place by 3 rivets, I fail to see the resemblance between my “thing” and these Guam knives. To me chamoro is basically a large bowie with a drooping blade. My choper is clearly leaf shaped and looks almost like a dowcurved barong or something. Plus, what leads you to believe that decorations on the blade are not swastikas and how do you explain a little hook-like protrusion on the ricasso? I am not trying to start an argument here as you are clearly an expert on this stuff. I am just trying to understand... Do you have any pictures of decorations attributed to Guam culture? I tried google but didn’t find much

spiral · 28th February 2012, 10:09 AM

Perhaps I didnt use the best photo to illustrate Stan, Here some more of them from a shop in Guam {Also courtesy of N2S.} {_about 5 years ago.}

I am not an expert in these, I am a student of kukris but through them I have come across such things. I dont think your ignorant, a few yesrs ago Idve wondered what it was as well.

These pictures display the many types available showing various matching features I think? The down curved blade, the protrusian at the riccaso, the plainer, triple riveted hilt.

Over the years have seen others more like yours also id. as Chammoro knives. Sadley I didnt keep the pix.

Personaly I think the style of riccaso is a very strong id feature with these. But the whole gestalt fits to my eye.

Sadley I have no knowledge of the original decorative features of the Chammoro people. I would imagine your knife could tell us something about them though.

Its a nice piece.

spiral

Lew · 29th February 2012, 12:32 PM

Spiral

Those Guam knives are current interpitatations of kukri style knives along with the original Guam Bowie/bolo knife. The one Stan shows an Indian influence in my opinion. Like I said it reminds of a 19th or early 20th century French chefs knife that was reworked by a local bladesmith in coorg or Malabar. I wil post some of old chefs knives for comparison later today to show what I am talking about.

spiral · 29th February 2012, 02:50 PM

Sounds interesting Lew!

spiral

sirupate · 29th February 2012, 05:17 PM

Looking forward to that Lew

28th February 2012, 03:08 AM	#3
Stan S. Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Brooklyn, NY USA Posts: 227	Spiral, please forgive my ignorance but other than the downcurved blade and a wooden grip held in place by 3 rivets, I fail to see the resemblance between my “thing” and these Guam knives. To me chamoro is basically a large bowie with a drooping blade. My choper is clearly leaf shaped and looks almost like a dowcurved barong or something. Plus, what leads you to believe that decorations on the blade are not swastikas and how do you explain a little hook-like protrusion on the ricasso? I am not trying to start an argument here as you are clearly an expert on this stuff. I am just trying to understand... Do you have any pictures of decorations attributed to Guam culture? I tried google but didn’t find much Last edited by Stan S.; 28th February 2012 at 03:28 AM.

28th February 2012, 10:09 AM	#4
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Perhaps I didnt use the best photo to illustrate Stan, Here some more of them from a shop in Guam {Also courtesy of N2S.} {_about 5 years ago.} I am not an expert in these, I am a student of kukris but through them I have come across such things. I dont think your ignorant, a few yesrs ago Idve wondered what it was as well. These pictures display the many types available showing various matching features I think? The down curved blade, the protrusian at the riccaso, the plainer, triple riveted hilt. Over the years have seen others more like yours also id. as Chammoro knives. Sadley I didnt keep the pix. Personaly I think the style of riccaso is a very strong id feature with these. But the whole gestalt fits to my eye. Sadley I have no knowledge of the original decorative features of the Chammoro people. I would imagine your knife could tell us something about them though. Its a nice piece. spiral

29th February 2012, 12:32 PM	#5
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Spiral Those Guam knives are current interpitatations of kukri style knives along with the original Guam Bowie/bolo knife. The one Stan shows an Indian influence in my opinion. Like I said it reminds of a 19th or early 20th century French chefs knife that was reworked by a local bladesmith in coorg or Malabar. I wil post some of old chefs knives for comparison later today to show what I am talking about.

29th February 2012, 02:50 PM	#6
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Sounds interesting Lew! spiral

29th February 2012, 05:17 PM	#7
sirupate Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: England Posts: 373	Looking forward to that Lew