WHAT DID I JUST BUY?? and Happy Easter for those who celebrate it.

derek · 26th March 2008, 07:09 PM

Hi,

These are usually described as (Tibetan) Khampa work knives: wiki on the Kham region/people.

They usually have a bit of ray skin below the throat.

kahnjar1 · 27th March 2008, 04:40 AM

Arrived today and not a bad little piece. Not my collecting area, so it will probably end up being sold or swapped eventually, but in meantime here are a few more pics.
Dimensions are:Knife 7 1/8" with a blade of 3 3/4"
In scabbard 8 1/2" overall
The scabbard has leather between the silver bands (no rayskin) The throat of the scabbard also appears to be silver.The lower part of the scabbard is steel/iron and there is a wooden "plug" in the end.
It was described by the previous owner as a Tibetan Goat Skining Knife. I would have though it too small for that purpose.
Regards Stuart

josh stout · 28th March 2008, 04:24 PM

I think these may be a little different type than the ones with the rayskin. The two posted and the one I have are all substantially similar with the solid arched pommel made of layers of copper and steel, horn handle scales, and a slightly shorter blade than the more usual examples of Tibetan utility knives. I thought it was a regional difference, but maybe there is a more specific group of people such knives can be attributed to. The ones I have seen appear to be authentic items for use, but not older than late 20th c.
Josh

derek · 28th March 2008, 05:18 PM

I have had a few like this and a few with the ray skin over the years. Chinese and Tibetan dealers that I've bought from don't make any distinction between them, it's all khampa, but that doesn't necessarily mean there isn't some intentional difference beyond variation of style. The style of this particular example is usually a little heavier, less ornate, and shows hard use compared to the ray skin.

I've always noted the similarity to the Chinese eating knives with chopsticks.

-d

David · 28th March 2008, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by josh stout

I think these may be a little different type than the ones with the rayskin. The two posted and the one I have are all substantially similar with the solid arched pommel made of layers of copper and steel, horn handle scales, and a slightly shorter blade than the more usual examples of Tibetan utility knives. I thought it was a regional difference, but maybe there is a more specific group of people such knives can be attributed to. The ones I have seen appear to be authentic items for use, but not older than late 20th c.
Josh

I would disagree Josh. The only real difference i see between mine with rayskin and Stu's is that Stu has leather instead. The construction of both the knife and the sheath is almost identical. I also think mine is just a little bit older than later 20thC. Maybe early to mid century.
Certainly both mine and Stu's were made for use and show such wear. I agree with Derek that there is a similarity with the Chinese trousse. These seem to be made for similar utility.

David · 30th March 2008, 04:40 PM

Hey Stu, i see that you have decided to sell this piece, so for now it would not be proper to continue the discussion here, but please let us know when it has actually sold (i see it is on hold at the moment) because i would like to see more definitive info come out on these interesting little knives.

27th March 2008, 04:40 AM	#2
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,786	IT'S HERE so new pics below Arrived today and not a bad little piece. Not my collecting area, so it will probably end up being sold or swapped eventually, but in meantime here are a few more pics. Dimensions are:Knife 7 1/8" with a blade of 3 3/4" In scabbard 8 1/2" overall The scabbard has leather between the silver bands (no rayskin) The throat of the scabbard also appears to be silver.The lower part of the scabbard is steel/iron and there is a wooden "plug" in the end. It was described by the previous owner as a Tibetan Goat Skining Knife. I would have though it too small for that purpose. Regards Stuart Attached Images

26th March 2008, 07:09 PM	#1
derek Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 215	Hi, These are usually described as (Tibetan) Khampa work knives: wiki on the Kham region/people. They usually have a bit of ray skin below the throat.

28th March 2008, 04:24 PM	#3
josh stout Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 407	I think these may be a little different type than the ones with the rayskin. The two posted and the one I have are all substantially similar with the solid arched pommel made of layers of copper and steel, horn handle scales, and a slightly shorter blade than the more usual examples of Tibetan utility knives. I thought it was a regional difference, but maybe there is a more specific group of people such knives can be attributed to. The ones I have seen appear to be authentic items for use, but not older than late 20th c. Josh

28th March 2008, 05:18 PM	#4
derek Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 215	I have had a few like this and a few with the ray skin over the years. Chinese and Tibetan dealers that I've bought from don't make any distinction between them, it's all khampa, but that doesn't necessarily mean there isn't some intentional difference beyond variation of style. The style of this particular example is usually a little heavier, less ornate, and shows hard use compared to the ray skin. I've always noted the similarity to the Chinese eating knives with chopsticks. -d

30th March 2008, 04:40 PM	#6
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	Hey Stu, i see that you have decided to sell this piece, so for now it would not be proper to continue the discussion here, but please let us know when it has actually sold (i see it is on hold at the moment) because i would like to see more definitive info come out on these interesting little knives.