Twin Burmese knives

Ian · 4th February 2024, 09:06 PM

Twin Burmese knives are very unusual in my experience and presumably represent some Chinese influence. The 19th C examples here show two smallish knives (OAL in sheath 26 cm) with back edges sharpened in the distal half. Matching silver ferrules. The silver mounted wooden sheath is likely a later addition. The unequal blade lengths might reflect damage to one (and reshaped), or perhaps they were made that way.

Does anyone here have similar examples of twin Burmese blades?

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Rick · 4th February 2024, 11:40 PM

Are those handles bone Ian?
Interesting how both blades have an uneven cutting edge.
Do they both share the same scabbard?

Ian · 5th February 2024, 01:14 AM

Hi Rick,

Best I can tell from the pictures, the hilts are bone. I believe they share the same scabbard. These are auction pictures.

kronckew · 5th February 2024, 05:56 AM

Found these on another member's site:

At this point, three other sets of Burmese double knives are known to me. The Metropolitan Museum, accession number 36.25.817a–c is a simple utilitarian set with plain blades and plain smooth ivory hilts. The set was sold by W. O. Oldman to George Cameron Stone before 1935, and bequeathed to the Metropolitan Museum in 1936.

The Royal Ontaria Museum has another set, under accession number 927.59.5.1. Overall form of blades and hilts are closer to ours, but here the hilts are made of brass with bone plates. 19th century. No provenance is given.

The last set is in the National Museum of Thailand. See photo by Gary Todd on flickr.com.

See Mandarin Mansion 'Burmese double knives for an excellent article on these knives.
Somewhat Rare, but they do exist.

Ian · 5th February 2024, 06:22 AM

Thanks Wayne. These twin knives are rarer than I thought. It seems that they were all made before 1900, and that would fit the appearance of the example shown here. The pair shown here sold very cheaply at auction, and I guess other collectors did not recognize them as being so rare.

4th February 2024, 09:06 PM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,031	Twin Burmese knives Twin Burmese knives are very unusual in my experience and presumably represent some Chinese influence. The 19th C examples here show two smallish knives (OAL in sheath 26 cm) with back edges sharpened in the distal half. Matching silver ferrules. The silver mounted wooden sheath is likely a later addition. The unequal blade lengths might reflect damage to one (and reshaped), or perhaps they were made that way. Does anyone here have similar examples of twin Burmese blades? . Attached Images

5th February 2024, 05:56 AM	#4
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,150	Found these on another member's site: At this point, three other sets of Burmese double knives are known to me. The Metropolitan Museum, accession number 36.25.817a–c is a simple utilitarian set with plain blades and plain smooth ivory hilts. The set was sold by W. O. Oldman to George Cameron Stone before 1935, and bequeathed to the Metropolitan Museum in 1936. The Royal Ontaria Museum has another set, under accession number 927.59.5.1. Overall form of blades and hilts are closer to ours, but here the hilts are made of brass with bone plates. 19th century. No provenance is given. The last set is in the National Museum of Thailand. See photo by Gary Todd on flickr.com. See Mandarin Mansion 'Burmese double knives for an excellent article on these knives. Somewhat Rare, but they do exist. Attached Images Last edited by kronckew; 5th February 2024 at 06:33 AM.

4th February 2024, 11:40 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,262	Are those handles bone Ian? Interesting how both blades have an uneven cutting edge. Do they both share the same scabbard?

5th February 2024, 01:14 AM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,031	Hi Rick, Best I can tell from the pictures, the hilts are bone. I believe they share the same scabbard. These are auction pictures.

5th February 2024, 06:22 AM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,031	Thanks Wayne. These twin knives are rarer than I thought. It seems that they were all made before 1900, and that would fit the appearance of the example shown here. The pair shown here sold very cheaply at auction, and I guess other collectors did not recognize them as being so rare.