Asian folder

Oriental-Arms · 30th March 2017, 08:06 PM

This type of small folding knives with a spike were discussed on this forum several times, suggesting various origin and use.
I am quoting below a mail I received from Mr. Roy Elvis, who was kind enough to talk to us in Timonium on his collection of South Indian arms and Armor:

I enclose some photos of the knives from my collection which are the tools used by the
NATTUKOTTAI CHETTIERS who were the bankers,money lenders of South India
they lived around Sivagaanga ,Tamil Nadu in the KINGDOM of RAMNAD.
The family's were active for many hundreds of years but declined after Independence.
The knives were used for cutting palms to write on then the spike was used as a pen.Some of the knives were handed down father to son through the generations.

kahnjar1 · 30th March 2017, 08:29 PM

Hi Artzi,
Interesting and IMHO very nice items. I seem to recollect that I have seen them also described somewhere as "Scribes Knives"??
Thanks for showing.
Stu

mariusgmioc · 31st March 2017, 07:27 AM

Very interesting information. Thank you!

Are they still made today?

Jens Nordlunde · 31st March 2017, 02:33 PM

Khanjar is right, these knives are scribes knives, but bankers may have used them as well. The explanation of how they were used is correct.
The inscription on this knife says 'Poopepen' written in a very old Tamil script. What the word means is unknown, but it may be a name.
Marius. I dont know if they are still made, but I find it likely that they still make them for tourists.

mariusgmioc · 31st March 2017, 04:18 PM

Thank you Jens! Next time I will go to India, I will look for some.

kronckew · 31st March 2017, 05:26 PM

cool knives, remind me of a navy folder with marlinspike.i keep one handy in the kitchen for punching holes in stuff. occasionally even used for knotwork.

Sajen · 31st March 2017, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

I seem to recollect that I have seen them also described somewhere as "Scribes Knives"??

You are correct: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hlight=scribes

30th March 2017, 08:06 PM	#1
Oriental-Arms Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Haifa, Israel Posts: 183	Asian folder This type of small folding knives with a spike were discussed on this forum several times, suggesting various origin and use. I am quoting below a mail I received from Mr. Roy Elvis, who was kind enough to talk to us in Timonium on his collection of South Indian arms and Armor: I enclose some photos of the knives from my collection which are the tools used by the NATTUKOTTAI CHETTIERS who were the bankers,money lenders of South India they lived around Sivagaanga ,Tamil Nadu in the KINGDOM of RAMNAD. The family's were active for many hundreds of years but declined after Independence. The knives were used for cutting palms to write on then the spike was used as a pen.Some of the knives were handed down father to son through the generations. Attached Images

31st March 2017, 02:33 PM	#4
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,713	Khanjar is right, these knives are scribes knives, but bankers may have used them as well. The explanation of how they were used is correct. The inscription on this knife says 'Poopepen' written in a very old Tamil script. What the word means is unknown, but it may be a name. Marius. I dont know if they are still made, but I find it likely that they still make them for tourists. Attached Images

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30th March 2017, 08:29 PM	#2
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,728	Hi Artzi, Interesting and IMHO very nice items. I seem to recollect that I have seen them also described somewhere as "Scribes Knives"?? Thanks for showing. Stu

31st March 2017, 07:27 AM	#3
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,869	Very interesting information. Thank you! Are they still made today?

31st March 2017, 04:18 PM	#5
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,869	Thank you Jens! Next time I will go to India, I will look for some.

31st March 2017, 05:26 PM	#6
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,148	cool knives, remind me of a navy folder with marlinspike.i keep one handy in the kitchen for punching holes in stuff. occasionally even used for knotwork.