Ethnographic folding knives

[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 Berkley

From China, usually called a "fish knife":

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

Interesting knife...the ebay post had some very interesting information I wonder why the blade does not open up to a wider angle?

[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

[chregu]

France
Austria Taschenfeitel
Spain Navaja
Corsica Vendeta
Italy?
France?
In the boxes are all my penknife
Witrinesind in all good pocket knife, the bottom row are all Swiss Army Knives

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Salaams All ~ Nice thread ... Heres 4; The white bone handle is razor like and sharp and possibly a circumcision item, Bedu and accompanied by a tooled leather case. The hook shape looks vaguelly for use on a ship and the brass one is Pakistani. The star and moon hilt is Solingen. Thats it !

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[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

[Billman]

Prior to the invention of the secateurs, c 1830 and their gradual introduction into viniculture and later horticulture in the late 19th/early 20th century, all pruning of vines, fruit trees, fruit bushes, roses etc was carried out with a small billhook. Many were of a fixed blade model, but equally many were made with folding blades.

They would have originally been made locally by cutlers and edge tool makers, but post the Industrial Revolution in Europe, imports from English, German, French, Italian and Spanish makers would have been serious competition, as mass production methods brought down the cost. The same is true of many other tools and also weapons - later the USA and other countries also made and exported them. Some English, German and US makers established manufacturing plants in other countries - today some of them still survive as independent manufacturers...

Now much manufacturing by UK firms is out-sourced to India, China & Taiwan. The edge tool industries of Sheffield and the Midlands has all but disappeared, and we are importing tools from many other countries.

How the mighty are fallen.... (Samuel 2:1)

[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" !

[kronckew]

i've got one very much like that. fairly cheap, UK legal EDC, nice razor sharp, simple and effective. i've heard they are carried by just about everyone in japan, the equivalent of a boy scout folder of yesteryears.