what were the working blades of India?

ausjulius · 21st June 2009, 05:55 PM

KuKulzA28 · 22nd June 2009, 12:18 AM

Thanks for the very informative replies!

That's very interesting... the forward-curved, sickle-like billhook blades are very similar to the working blades in Taiwan... they did not use the stereotypical straight machete for work, it was the curved "fat sickle" type of the blade... in Taiwan there too was a good distinction between war and work blades (to some degree). Although the Aborigines (Yuan Zhu Min) often used their headhunting blades for survival and fighting... when Chinese peasants revolted against the Dutch, they use the biggest blade they had... the curved rice-knife or the billhook style blade. Street brawls and fights often involved spears, cleavers, dao, axes, etc.

sirupate · 22nd June 2009, 09:25 AM

In Nepal the the slashers/sickles are used much more now, as the carry of kukri is now pretty much prohibited, unless up in the hills, or in the jungle for protection which Dave and I did;

And obviously security Guards

Generaly the kukri is one of those blades which is dual purpose, both a general user, but also a weapon, although there are obvious exceptions to this rule.

KuKulzA28 · 22nd June 2009, 04:16 PM

Very cool!

I noticed this guy on [edited O.A. link] looks like a nicer version of the blade type that ausjulius linked to!

[note, try the *sold* section of the site for examples]

KuKulzA28 · 3rd December 2009, 04:57 AM

Here's a pic of an aruval...

Anyone have examples of one in their collections?

Not that I know much, but they seem to be popular in voilent Tamil movies.

spiral · 3rd December 2009, 09:49 AM

When I visited Nepal 5 years ago kukri, kora, sickles, bill hooks, rudimentry all metal knives etc.etc. were all widley used in Nepal.

Heres a group of devotees Last week at Bariyapur Nepal on their way to behead 10,000 buffalo & 240,000 chicken, pigeons, goats, pigs etc.to appease the goddess Gadhimai

The slaughter at the festival & many weapons/tools used can be seen at IKRHS in both photos & videao. { This is not for the squemish it looks like an open air abatour.But as I eat lots of meat what can i say.}

Spiral

linky.

Atlantia · 3rd December 2009, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiral

When I visited Nepal 5 years ago kukri, kora, sickles, bill hooks, rudimentry all metal knives etc.etc. were all widley used in Nepal.

Heres a group of devotees Last week at Bariyapur Nepal on their way to behead 10,000 buffalo & 240,000 chicken, pigeons, goats, pigs etc.to appease the goddess Gadhimai

The slaughter at the festival & many weapons/tools used can be seen at IKRHS in both photos & videao. { This is not for the squemish it looks like an open air abatour.But as I eat lots of meat what can i say.}

Spiral

linky.

Hi Spiral,

Many thanks for your consideration of fellow forumites by not posting any explicit pictures and the warning.
I certainly wouldn't want to see it

But am glad to have the choice to still enjoy the 'technical' aspects of this discussion whilst being able to avoid accidentally viewing the 'practical applications' of some of the items in question.

I once knew a chap, retired Colonel who was 'surgeon general' (Or whatever the title is) for Ghurka regiment back in the 50s. He told some rather graphic tales about this sort of thing and the general love of sharp things to the point of him often having to stitch soldiers back up from them frequently 'accidentally' cutting each other.
When he retired they presented him with a 'sword' sized Kuk which hung over his mantlepiece in Devon.
Presumably one used for this sort of thing.

Regards
Gene

22nd June 2009, 04:16 PM	#4
KuKulzA28 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: between work and sleep Posts: 731	Very cool! I noticed this guy on [edited O.A. link] looks like a nicer version of the blade type that ausjulius linked to! [note, try the sold section of the site for examples] Last edited by Rick; 22nd June 2009 at 04:29 PM. Reason: item currently for sale

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21st June 2009, 05:55 PM	#1
ausjulius Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: musorian territory Posts: 454	http://www.flickr.com/photos/jailusser/2448057675/ here you can some of double and single edged hooked knives.. http://www.flickr.com/photos/meanestindian/90515979/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/gnibel/867502568/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/harshadsharma/331057387/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkuram/3588383329/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattlogelin/114697722/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/yameza/1334875092/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattlogelin/824301545/ looks homemade from an old saw that one... but it is the correct shape of a normal indian working knife... a non indian tool found in parts of india populated by tribal folks.. http://www.flickr.com/photos/lindadevolder/3437218977/ more simple knives http://www.flickr.com/photos/lennymika/2573192846/

22nd June 2009, 12:18 AM	#2
KuKulzA28 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: between work and sleep Posts: 731	Thanks for the very informative replies! That's very interesting... the forward-curved, sickle-like billhook blades are very similar to the working blades in Taiwan... they did not use the stereotypical straight machete for work, it was the curved "fat sickle" type of the blade... in Taiwan there too was a good distinction between war and work blades (to some degree). Although the Aborigines (Yuan Zhu Min) often used their headhunting blades for survival and fighting... when Chinese peasants revolted against the Dutch, they use the biggest blade they had... the curved rice-knife or the billhook style blade. Street brawls and fights often involved spears, cleavers, dao, axes, etc.

22nd June 2009, 09:25 AM	#3
sirupate Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: England Posts: 373	In Nepal the the slashers/sickles are used much more now, as the carry of kukri is now pretty much prohibited, unless up in the hills, or in the jungle for protection which Dave and I did; And obviously security Guards Generaly the kukri is one of those blades which is dual purpose, both a general user, but also a weapon, although there are obvious exceptions to this rule.

3rd December 2009, 04:57 AM	#5
KuKulzA28 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: between work and sleep Posts: 731	Here's a pic of an aruval... Anyone have examples of one in their collections? Not that I know much, but they seem to be popular in voilent Tamil movies.

3rd December 2009, 09:49 AM	#6
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	When I visited Nepal 5 years ago kukri, kora, sickles, bill hooks, rudimentry all metal knives etc.etc. were all widley used in Nepal. Heres a group of devotees Last week at Bariyapur Nepal on their way to behead 10,000 buffalo & 240,000 chicken, pigeons, goats, pigs etc.to appease the goddess Gadhimai The slaughter at the festival & many weapons/tools used can be seen at IKRHS in both photos & videao. { This is not for the squemish it looks like an open air abatour.But as I eat lots of meat what can i say.} Spiral linky.