Burmese Priest Knife?

VANDOO · 28th June 2013, 04:47 AM

I NEVER SAW A MONK ON THE STREET IN THAILAND WITH A KNIFE AND IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE PRIESTS DON'T GO FORTH TO COLLECT FOOD OFFERINGS AS THE MONKS DO. I ASSUME THESE KNIVES ARE OWNED BY PRIESTS AND USED IN THE TEMPLE FOR CEREMONIES ECT. AND NOT COMMONLY CARRIED. PERHAPS SOMEONE WITH MORE ACCURATE INFORMATION CAN CLEAR THIS UP AS I AM JUST MAKEING A LOGICAL GUESS BASED ON VERY LITTLE INFORMATION. NICE KNIFE

kahnjar1 · 28th June 2013, 07:22 AM

Hi Brian, Not a "Priest knife" IMHO but a Dha dagger as stated above. Look here http://dharesearch.bowditch.us/ and go to the task bar at the bottom. I think you will find there all you need to know.
As for the Monks carrying knives....I understand that these were more a religious talisman/amulet and as such can be bought today in the Thai markets. What you have there is NOT a Priest knife.
Is the hilt ivory?
Stu

Iliad · 28th June 2013, 08:17 AM

Guys, thanks for the input. I have looked up some previous threads mentioning Priests knives, and confirm the definition of meed maw as " meed maw: (Thai) blessed or talismanic knife, carried as a protective talisman ("priest knife")." so, maybe a priest knife is not one that is carried by a priest, but rather one that has been blessed by priest.

Perhaps a priest may use one at the dinner table to cut up his roast beef?

Stu, I think that the carved handle is ivory. To my inexpert eye it appears to have some age.
regards to all
Brian

RhysMichael · 28th June 2013, 04:45 PM

I have to agree with those that said this is a dha-hmyaung, not a priest knife. And it seems to be a nice one I am including some pictures from a Thai reference I have on priest knives for comparison

RhysMichael · 28th June 2013, 04:52 PM

A couple more pages. I actually have a couple of priest knives somewhere if I can find the box they are in I will post them also

drdavid · 29th June 2013, 12:02 AM

I would consider this one a priest knife

kahnjar1 · 29th June 2013, 03:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drdavid

I would consider this one a priest knife

Yes

Nathaniel · 10th December 2013, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drdavid

I would consider this one a priest knife

Dr. David & Illiad, neither of your knifes you have pictured is not a priest knife because it does not have any evident yantra script blessings or symbols....granted in addition to the symbols you do see with priest knifes also sometimes have things you don't see like auscious/special things added in the making of the knife. I think this are more Burmese presentation/ dress knifes with a good blades. Illiad, yours should be I believe Shan (Tai Yai).

Meed Mor is not the correct term. In Thai, Meed = knife Mor = doctor. Meed Phra = knife monk (or priest)

28th June 2013, 04:45 PM	#4
RhysMichael Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 520	I have to agree with those that said this is a dha-hmyaung, not a priest knife. And it seems to be a nice one I am including some pictures from a Thai reference I have on priest knives for comparison Attached Images Last edited by RhysMichael; 28th June 2013 at 05:00 PM.

28th June 2013, 04:52 PM	#5
RhysMichael Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 520	A couple more pages. I actually have a couple of priest knives somewhere if I can find the box they are in I will post them also Attached Images

29th June 2013, 12:02 AM	#6
drdavid Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 372	I would consider this one a priest knife Attached Images

28th June 2013, 04:47 AM	#1
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	I NEVER SAW A MONK ON THE STREET IN THAILAND WITH A KNIFE AND IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE PRIESTS DON'T GO FORTH TO COLLECT FOOD OFFERINGS AS THE MONKS DO. I ASSUME THESE KNIVES ARE OWNED BY PRIESTS AND USED IN THE TEMPLE FOR CEREMONIES ECT. AND NOT COMMONLY CARRIED. PERHAPS SOMEONE WITH MORE ACCURATE INFORMATION CAN CLEAR THIS UP AS I AM JUST MAKEING A LOGICAL GUESS BASED ON VERY LITTLE INFORMATION. NICE KNIFE

28th June 2013, 07:22 AM	#2
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,789	Hi Brian, Not a "Priest knife" IMHO but a Dha dagger as stated above. Look here http://dharesearch.bowditch.us/ and go to the task bar at the bottom. I think you will find there all you need to know. As for the Monks carrying knives....I understand that these were more a religious talisman/amulet and as such can be bought today in the Thai markets. What you have there is NOT a Priest knife. Is the hilt ivory? Stu

28th June 2013, 08:17 AM	#3
Iliad Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 187	Guys, thanks for the input. I have looked up some previous threads mentioning Priests knives, and confirm the definition of meed maw as " meed maw: (Thai) blessed or talismanic knife, carried as a protective talisman ("priest knife")." so, maybe a priest knife is not one that is carried by a priest, but rather one that has been blessed by priest. Perhaps a priest may use one at the dinner table to cut up his roast beef? Stu, I think that the carved handle is ivory. To my inexpert eye it appears to have some age. regards to all Brian