Origin of a S.E.A. heavy knife (chopper? )

Ian · 30th January 2018, 03:22 PM

Athanase,

I think Ausjulius is on the right track. The scabbard made from a single piece of wood is typical of working knives from Vietnam/Laos/Combodia. Sometimes these are surprisingly light weight for their size, presumably reflecting a soft wood that would be easy to carve out. The hilt is hard to see in the seller's pics. The shape of the blade is also of that area, somewhat like a modern Thai enep. I have several similar knives of village quality that were brought back from Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia by U.S. servicemen in the 1960s. They have been variously described as "Montagnard," "Moi," "hill tribe," etc. Your piece may also be from that era, or perhaps earlier given the brass/bronze work on the hilt.

A MSEA attribution seems consistent with some of the other items for sale at the same time.

I like these well worn pieces--adds character.

Ian

Sajen · 30th January 2018, 06:11 PM

Agree with Julius and Ian, I also think that it is some sort of enep (so called in Thailand), it will be such a knife from somewhere in the given area my two previous commentators have given. Compare with this one from Thailand: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=enep and here one with not exact known origin: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...light=thailand
But compare the general blade profile with all shown knives in this both threads.

Regards,
Detlef

Sajen · 30th January 2018, 06:30 PM

Comparison of the general blade shape!

Sajen · 30th January 2018, 09:22 PM

What look weird is the centric tang, all other shown knives show an offset tang.

This was the main reason that I wait for other comments if I am the only one who recognize the typical blade shape.

Ian · 31st January 2018, 01:25 AM

Detlef,

I agree that the centrally placed tang is unusual and it gave me pause to think about it. Given the crude forging of the blade, it may simply have been one guy's preference and not a general style. I would add southern Yunnan to the list of possible origins too.

Ian

Athanase · 31st January 2018, 10:55 AM

Ok,
Thank you very much to all of you for your help.

30th January 2018, 06:30 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,272	Comparison of the general blade shape! Attached Images

30th January 2018, 09:22 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,272	supplement comment What look weird is the centric tang, all other shown knives show an offset tang. This was the main reason that I wait for other comments if I am the only one who recognize the typical blade shape.

30th January 2018, 03:22 PM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,453	Athanase, I think Ausjulius is on the right track. The scabbard made from a single piece of wood is typical of working knives from Vietnam/Laos/Combodia. Sometimes these are surprisingly light weight for their size, presumably reflecting a soft wood that would be easy to carve out. The hilt is hard to see in the seller's pics. The shape of the blade is also of that area, somewhat like a modern Thai enep. I have several similar knives of village quality that were brought back from Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia by U.S. servicemen in the 1960s. They have been variously described as "Montagnard," "Moi," "hill tribe," etc. Your piece may also be from that era, or perhaps earlier given the brass/bronze work on the hilt. A MSEA attribution seems consistent with some of the other items for sale at the same time. I like these well worn pieces--adds character. Ian

30th January 2018, 06:11 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,272	Agree with Julius and Ian, I also think that it is some sort of enep (so called in Thailand), it will be such a knife from somewhere in the given area my two previous commentators have given. Compare with this one from Thailand: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=enep and here one with not exact known origin: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...light=thailand But compare the general blade profile with all shown knives in this both threads. Regards, Detlef

31st January 2018, 01:25 AM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,453	Detlef, I agree that the centrally placed tang is unusual and it gave me pause to think about it. Given the crude forging of the blade, it may simply have been one guy's preference and not a general style. I would add southern Yunnan to the list of possible origins too. Ian

31st January 2018, 10:55 AM	#6
Athanase Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Paris (France) Posts: 420	Ok, Thank you very much to all of you for your help.