Small sickle. Bukhara, 19th century

[ariel]

It is something for a rich man doing a job not requiring noticeable physical effort.
Sharpening quill pens?

[fernando]

Wouldn't those be smaller tools ?

[milandro]

the thing is that this hawkbill knife may not have had a special function at all.

Most probably its quality of execution far out-performs function.

I don't think this had any ceremonial purpose and although grand, this was a simple utilitarian knife and , as suggested from its hawkbill shape, supposedly used in agricultural ( it is obviously meant to pry and or pull while cutting) context.

[ariel]

Originally Posted by milandro

Most probably its quality of execution far out-performs function.

This is absolutely true. But knives/daggers varied in their sophistication and quality of execution depending on the status of their owner.
A garden variety Misericorde dagger was just kind of narrow stabbing blade with a minimalistic handle. But a rich man could have ordered a " work of art".

[ariel]

Originally Posted by fernando

Wouldn't those be smaller tools ?

Here are 2 images of quill sharpening. The size of the sharpeners is quite consistent with the example posted here: full size handles and small blades.

I could not find images of Oriental quill sharpening. But I kind of agree with Milandro: while generally knives were created with a specific function in mind but in real life could have been used for many functions.

[fernando]

Originally Posted by ariel

Here are 2 images of quill sharpening. The size of the sharpeners is quite consistent with the example posted here: full size handles and small blades.

I could not find images of Oriental quill sharpening. But I kind of agree with Milandro: while generally knives were created with a specific function in mind but in real life could have been used for many functions.

Agree ... and disagree. Maybe instead of referring to the size i should have mentioned shape. To say that the blade curvature of Dmitry's example excludes the possibility of being a multiuse device and basically points to a specific purpose; pruning or the like.
... And sorry Dmitry for polluting your thread .


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[mahratt]

Originally Posted by fernando

... And sorry Dmitry for polluting your thread .
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Hello, fernando

No apologies. I am very interested in reading various interesting versions. Thank you and the rest of the contributors to this thread.

[mahratt]

By the way, I asked the same question on the Russian forum. One of the participants in the topic said that it would be very convenient to peel a pomegranate fruit with such a knife.

[fernando]

I know a better system; my wife pills them for me with bare hands ... and i devour the seeds .

[Interested Party]

Originally Posted by mahratt

By the way, I asked the same question on the Russian forum. One of the participants in the topic said that it would be very convenient to peel a pomegranate fruit with such a knife.

I've seen pomegranates cut that way and use that method myself. the knife I use and have seen others use is a pruning knife. Which leads me back to my comment #13, a rich man's garden knife. the right shape but too highly decorated and costly for any regular work.

I guess it could be a table knife just for pomegranates, but it still seems expensive for that with wootz, walrus, and gold inlay. A status piece of some sort.

[kai]

Hello Ariel,

Here are 2 images of quill sharpening. The size of the sharpeners is quite consistent with the example posted here: full size handles and small blades.

For sharpening quills one would like an as thin blade as possible. The blade shown by Dmitry looks quite substantial.

For ease of sharpening the blade, a sheepsfoot blade would be perfect or at least a straight edge. This concave edge would need way more effort to keep the blade razor sharp!

The heavy hilt will also not help fine cutting tasks.

As already mentioned, it's certainly correct though that in such status pieces form does not always strictly follow function (if any).

Regards,
Kai

[milandro]

cheers,

[Oliver Pinchot]

Not for quils but for kamish, the reed or bamboo used for calligraphy.

[fernando]

Watch how it is regularly done, and the knife blade profile... by an Islamic expert.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdE8ihW5qbs


As already approached, admiting that Dmitry's example serves the same purpose, implies that the maker was clearly giving wings to his imagination; even assuming he is Asian ... and ergonomics apart.


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[ariel]

There are as many ways to sharpen the reed pen ( Oliver, thanks!) than skin the cat:-)))