Ethnographic folding knives

[kronckew]

here you can carry a 3in. edge or smaller non-locking folder without a good reason, as long as you do not take it out and use it in an offensive manner (self defence is still offensive according to the law). just taking out out to cut something can be considered 'threatening' if some member of the public gets frightened.

you can carry a fixed blade or locking knife only with good reason, being a chef would be one, or being in a profession where you regularly cut open boxes is another. going fishing would allow you to carry a filleting knife in the tackle box.

however, you must proceed DIRECTLY from your home to the place of the activity, if you stop for fuel, for a wee, or to pick up a take-away, you have then broken the reason and can be prosecuted for carrying an offensive weapon, even if it was locked up in your tackle box, glove box, etc. if you enter a prohibited zone, a public building, court, subway system, train, school, etc. even the under 3in. otherwise legal carry suddenly is not legal.

the police get to decide if your reason is a good one, and may confiscate your knife, and arrest you if they do not like it. you may get off a few months later,after court and lawyers fees, etc. you won't get your knife back tho. and you might not get off. if the non-locking folding knife is borderline, ie. the edge is 2 7/8" and there is a 1/4 unsharpened ricasso, if the cop decides he don't like it, you can get arrested and argue it in court.

i heard of a guy with a little under 1 inch keychain knife that was not even sharpened, it had a button lock and looked like a flick knife, cop noticed it on a traffic stop when it was dangling from the ignition. he got arrested, and convicted of carrying an offensive weapon, tho he did get a suspended sentence and a fine on top of the other legal hassles and expenses instead of jail - and of course he's now a convicted felon.

ah, well, 'nuff said on the subject, we best not stray into politics...

[Rick]

Might as well add a little Klaas to this thread .
A Kissing Crane .
Love the green scales !

[ThePepperSkull]

I am surprised that nobody mentioned the Higonokami

[Andrew]

Here's a recent addition I picked up from OA. This is what Artzi (Avner?) had to say:

Originally Posted by Oriental-Arms

The origin and use of this type of folding knifes is not very clear and there are numerous suggestions: Ranging from knives to clean opium pipes to knives for cutting and inscribing on dates leaves. The origin is most probably from the Indo-China area. It has a 3 inches blade, hollow ground, 3 inches back spike and ivory handle with engraved inscription. handle. 6 ½ inches fully opened. Very good condition.

This is clearly from SEA. My impression is Thai based on the blade profile, but if someone (PUFF? ) were able to translate the inscription on the handle, we would surely learn more.

Andrew

[Rick]

Just kinda found its way to you unnoticed.

Lucky Guy .

[Andrew]

lol.

Amazingly, this is likely the first purchase I've made in over a year!

[Andrew]

And, since I'm now a moderator emeritus, I abused my still intact super-powers to edit the thread title (temporarily) to entice PUFF to come join us.

[Berkley]

From China, usually called a "fish knife":

OTOH, compare this modern variant:http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-Chinese-Arm...item3a5b3436ac

[Nathaniel]

Originally Posted by Andrew

Here's a recent addition I picked up from OA. This is what Artzi (Avner?) had to say:



This is clearly from SEA. My impression is Thai based on the blade profile, but if someone (PUFF? ) were able to translate the inscription on the handle, we would surely learn more.

Andrew

Andrew, Just saw your post. The script is not Thai...not sure what it is

[PUFF]

Originally Posted by Andrew

Here's a recent addition I picked up from OA. This is what Artzi (Avner?) had to say:



This is clearly from SEA. My impression is Thai based on the blade profile, but if someone (PUFF? ) were able to translate the inscription on the handle, we would surely learn more.

Andrew

Thanks Nathaniel for sending me a link to this thread. I rarely visit this forum this year.

The inscription is not Thai. And as fas as I know, it doesnt looks like Burmese nor Khmer.

Folding knife is not common for Thai before 18-19C. Most of small knives are fixed blade.

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by PUFF

Thanks Nathaniel for sending me a link to this thread. I rarely visit this forum this year.

The inscription is not Thai. And as fas as I know, it doesnt looks like Burmese nor Khmer.

Folding knife is not common for Thai before 18-19C. Most of small knives are fixed blade.

Ah, curious. Many thanks.

Would you agree that blade profile looks Thai?

The file-work on the spike strikes me as possibly Indian. Hmmmm.

[kronckew]

thought that last one looked familiar, opium smoking knife from china:


Linky

i suspect the other 'thai' friction folder with the pictographic writing is also an opium knife. the knife is used to trim wicks and cut the opium into small bits, which are then carefully impaled on a skewer, or opium pin, for placement in the flame for cooking before being placed in the pipe bowl. the thai/hmong knife's spike tip seems to have been subject to similar use. these are early 'combo' tools.

the chinese 'cavalry' knife in the earlier posted link has a spike for removing stones and other items stuck in a horse's hoof, and the blade is used to trim any sharp edges on the hoof.

many knives, such as my royal navy/marine issue knife

have similar stubby blades in the warncliffe or sheepsfoot patterns, with marlinspikes added for use in rope and knot work.

[mross]

Originally Posted by Andrew

Here's a recent addition I picked up from OA. This is what Artzi (Avner?) had to say:



This is clearly from SEA. My impression is Thai based on the blade profile, but if someone (PUFF? ) were able to translate the inscription on the handle, we would surely learn more.

Andrew

This style of knife is often refered to as a friction folder.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/sh...friction+knife

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/sh...friction+knife

http://www.britishblades.com/forums/...read.php?14882

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=298709

[Berkley]

kronckew,
That knife is an interesting variation, since its tail does indeed appear to be in the form of tweezers such as are commonly used for holding sticky balls of uncooked opium. Most of the "fish knives" I have seen have solid spikes more suitable for knotwork on lines or nets (or cleaning hooves). The basic Chinese folder design appears to have a variety of possible uses.
Berk

[kronckew]

ah, how soon we forget:



a similar thai style knife in a earlier post in this thread. see post no. 19...

a thread on the chinese 'peasants' knife...
Linky

the friction folder has been around since early roman times at least, and are still quite popular.

modern peasants knives:

the one on the left is considerably older than the other two

[trenchwarfare]

Originally Posted by ThePepperSkull

I am surprised that nobody mentioned the Higonokami

Did somebody mention Higonokami...

My Japanese folder collection.

[Edster]

Here's a nice lock blade folder from Zanjan, Iran circa 1966. That town is long famous as a knife making center.

[Billman]

Ibrahiim - your curved knife is a form of folding billhook - used mainly for pruning of fruit trees/bushes and grape vines. Known as a serpette in France, and a roncoletta in Italy (diminutive forms of serpe and roncola respectively) - it is found all over southern Europe and the Mediterranean area. I would guess yours in probably Italian in origin, possibly from the Maniago region.
see: http://www.couteaux-jfl.com/serpettes.htm Sailors' knives tend to have a square blade, see: http://www.linder.de/en/artikel/Kniv...Sailor’s_knife

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Billman

Ibrahiim - your curved knife is a form of folding billhook - used mainly for pruning of fruit trees/bushes and grape vines. Known as a serpette in France, and a roncoletta in Italy (diminutive forms of serpe and roncola respectively) - it is found all over southern Europe and the Mediterranean area. I would guess yours in probably Italian in origin, possibly from the Maniago region.
see: http://www.couteaux-jfl.com/serpettes.htm Sailors' knives tend to have a square blade, see: http://www.linder.de/en/artikel/Kniv...Sailor’s_knife

Salaams Billman ~ Thank you for that ... How interesting... can't think how it arrived here?... I shall give it a go on my Pomegranates !

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi

[DaveA]

I saw this new higonokami (肥後守) folder (see picture) from Japan and just had to have it, even without knowing the backstory, which is quite fascinating (see Higonokami Story )

I have a few Languioles from France, a Tre Pianelle by F. Consiglio, several Navaja Estilletes and other folders, a few of which are shown in the pictures. I was happy to discover this thread today while searching the forum for higonokami. There is a fine line between a high quality hand-made folder and an ethnographic knife. I am glad other members share my enthusiasm for a fine folding knife!

Best,

Dave A.

P.S. The folding lohar doesn't count as a "pocket knife" !