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.
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