Sri-Lankan (Ceylon) Knife

VANDOO · 13th May 2016, 12:40 AM

IT LOOKS LIKE A NICE ONE IN GOOD SHAPE, ITS DIFFICULT TO TELL THE AGE ON THESE AND I DON'T KNOW IF THEY ARE STILL MAKING THEM. I SUSPECT IF THEY ARE STILL BEING MADE THE QUALITY WILL NOT BE AS GOOD. THERE ARE SEVERAL GOOD POSTS ON THESE IN THE FORUM ARCHIVES A SEARCH SHOULD BRING UP QUITE A BIT OF INFORMATION.

Miguel · 13th May 2016, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANDOO

IT LOOKS LIKE A NICE ONE IN GOOD SHAPE, ITS DIFFICULT TO TELL THE AGE ON THESE AND I DON'T KNOW IF THEY ARE STILL MAKING THEM. I SUSPECT IF THEY ARE STILL BEING MADE THE QUALITY WILL NOT BE AS GOOD. THERE ARE SEVERAL GOOD POSTS ON THESE IN THE FORUM ARCHIVES A SEARCH SHOULD BRING UP QUITE A BIT OF INFORMATION.

Hi Vandoo,

Thanks for the info, I will do a searh as you suggest and possibly learn a lot more about this decorative weapon.
Regards
Miguel

David · 13th May 2016, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miguel

Hi Vandoo,

Thanks for the info, I will do a searh as you suggest and possibly learn a lot more about this decorative weapon.
Regards
Miguel

AFAIK these are not used as "weapons".

Miguel · 16th May 2016, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

AFAIK these are not used as "weapons".

Hi David,
Thanks for your reply. I really don't know much about these knives but since I posted this thread I have been looking at old threads and it would appear that they were used for many things from scribes knives to fighting knives depending on their shape and size so I feel justified in referring to them as weapons.
Regards
Miguel

David · 16th May 2016, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miguel

Thanks for your reply. I really don't know much about these knives but since I posted this thread I have been looking at old threads and it would appear that they were used for many things from scribes knives to fighting knives depending on their shape and size so I feel justified in referring to them as weapons.

Hi Miguel. I have never seen any supportable evidence that these were ever used as fighting knives. People "say" a lot of things, but i would love to see something that backs up such a claim. If you have some it would be great to see and add to our understanding of these extremely beautiful knives.

ariel · 16th May 2016, 10:56 PM

David,
I agree with you.
But they were not ceremonial either. The one shown by Bandook and labeled as such had been repeatedly and vigorously sharpened, to the point its middle part became visibly concave: a sign of heavy and prolonged use.

My guess, they were utility knives.

A. G. Maisey · 17th May 2016, 12:04 AM

I recall reading what appeared to be some very informed commentary on piha kaetta. I can't remember all the details, but it went something along the lines of these being made in workshops under the aegis of rulers, and that their primary function was as a 'badge of rank' knife.

They also come with a stylus for writing on lontar (palm leaves) and were an accoutrement of educated men.

I feel that what I half recall may have been in this Forum, but a quick google of piha kaetta seems to indicate that there is a site devoted to them hanging around somewhere. Maybe somebody with time to spare might care to dig for it.

Miguel · 21st May 2016, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

Hi Miguel. I have never seen any supportable evidence that these were ever used as fighting knives. People "say" a lot of things, but i would love to see something that backs up such a claim. If you have some it would be great to see and add to our understanding of these extremely beautiful knives.

Hi David,

I have to agree with you re supportable evidence as there is not much supportable evidence available about these knives apart from where they came from , shapes, sizes and decoration. From my own resources only Stone and Elgood can be regarded as reliable and neither of these make mention of them being used as weapons, Despite this lack of evidence I just cannot believe that it wasn't as no matter where you search for knives from Sri Lanka or Ceylon it seems the only image and descriptions that you are presented with are of the knives under discussion, in fact it seems to be the only knife you can find and this is why believe it to be a weapon.
I must apologise for my delay in reply but my computer has packed up again and the system will not let me reply from my iPad so I have borrowed one while the repair shop diagnoses the fault(s).
Regards
Miguel

13th May 2016, 12:40 AM	#1
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	IT LOOKS LIKE A NICE ONE IN GOOD SHAPE, ITS DIFFICULT TO TELL THE AGE ON THESE AND I DON'T KNOW IF THEY ARE STILL MAKING THEM. I SUSPECT IF THEY ARE STILL BEING MADE THE QUALITY WILL NOT BE AS GOOD. THERE ARE SEVERAL GOOD POSTS ON THESE IN THE FORUM ARCHIVES A SEARCH SHOULD BRING UP QUITE A BIT OF INFORMATION.

16th May 2016, 10:56 PM	#6
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	David, I agree with you. But they were not ceremonial either. The one shown by Bandook and labeled as such had been repeatedly and vigorously sharpened, to the point its middle part became visibly concave: a sign of heavy and prolonged use. My guess, they were utility knives.

17th May 2016, 12:04 AM	#7
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,085	I recall reading what appeared to be some very informed commentary on piha kaetta. I can't remember all the details, but it went something along the lines of these being made in workshops under the aegis of rulers, and that their primary function was as a 'badge of rank' knife. They also come with a stylus for writing on lontar (palm leaves) and were an accoutrement of educated men. I feel that what I half recall may have been in this Forum, but a quick google of piha kaetta seems to indicate that there is a site devoted to them hanging around somewhere. Maybe somebody with time to spare might care to dig for it.