Still a Mystery ...

Ian · 18th March 2023, 06:30 AM

I've posted this knife twice previously on the Forum. The first time was in the old UBB Forum (now defunct), and the last time was 17 years ago here. I'm still not much closer to identifying exactly where it came from and what it is.

Unidentified Oriental-style Knife with Dog's Head Hilt in Brass Sheath

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In the last round of suggestions, the most likely use for it seemed to be a tobacco knife. The question as to where it came from was not answered directly, although a Filipino-Chinese origin seemed plausible. There is extensive tobacco growing in N. Luzon, mainly owned and operated by Chinese families and companies.

In the intervening 17+ years since my last thread, has anyone seen a similar knife or can offer a more definitive answer to what it is and where it came from? It bugs the heck out of me not to have seen another example or be able to answer two simple questions.

JeffS · 18th March 2023, 10:16 AM

I've seen that profile used for large game skinning knives...

Fernando K · 18th March 2023, 11:50 AM

Hello

For me, it is a capador knife. I don't know if camels or dromedaries get rid of...

Affectionately

Fernando K · 18th March 2023, 11:53 AM

....castrate.....

milandro · 18th March 2023, 02:06 PM

the shape seems indeed very common in Europe ( all cardinal points ) too and with general purpose functions, not only castration it could certainly be used to skin animals.

So I think this may mean that there is parallel evolution and that there are only so many variations that can happen to a blade before it repeats itself somewhere else without any apparent connection.

Edster · 18th March 2023, 02:24 PM

Does the engraving on the sheath offer any insights? The man appears to be doing something.

18th March 2023, 06:30 AM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,034	Still a Mystery ... I've posted this knife twice previously on the Forum. The first time was in the old UBB Forum (now defunct), and the last time was 17 years ago here. I'm still not much closer to identifying exactly where it came from and what it is. **Unidentified Oriental-style Knife with Dog's Head Hilt in Brass Sheath** . . In the last round of suggestions, the most likely use for it seemed to be a tobacco knife. The question as to where it came from was not answered directly, although a Filipino-Chinese origin seemed plausible. There is extensive tobacco growing in N. Luzon, mainly owned and operated by Chinese families and companies. In the intervening 17+ years since my last thread, has anyone seen a similar knife or can offer a more definitive answer to what it is and where it came from? It bugs the heck out of me not to have seen another example or be able to answer two simple questions.

18th March 2023, 10:16 AM	#2
JeffS Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 308	I've seen that profile used for large game skinning knives...

18th March 2023, 11:50 AM	#3
Fernando K Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 664	Hello For me, it is a capador knife. I don't know if camels or dromedaries get rid of... Affectionately

18th March 2023, 11:53 AM	#4
Fernando K Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 664	....castrate.....

18th March 2023, 02:06 PM	#5
milandro Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Netherlands Posts: 419	the shape seems indeed very common in Europe ( all cardinal points ) too and with general purpose functions, not only castration it could certainly be used to skin animals. So I think this may mean that there is parallel evolution and that there are only so many variations that can happen to a blade before it repeats itself somewhere else without any apparent connection.

18th March 2023, 02:24 PM	#6
Edster Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 392	Does the engraving on the sheath offer any insights? The man appears to be doing something.