Sickle for comment - tool or weapon?

shayde78 · 25th January 2021, 06:51 PM

Hello all -

I wanted to offer for comment the below sickle and read your opinions of this being solely for agricultural use or, was it intended to serve as a weapon. Of course, I fully acknowledge the line between these applications is nebulous at best. A garden rake or shovel can make a serviceable weapon in a pinch. However, some are more purpose designed to serve in a martial capacity.

For starters, I searched through the archives here, and didn't see anything that looked like this. Perhaps because it is indeed a simple tool. Of the example below, it is approximately 21" long, is sharpened on both the inside AND outside edges, has damage to both of these edges suggesting contact with something harder than vegetation.

The grip, and the 'ricasso' of the blade are wrapped with rattan. The part on the blade is particularly ornately done (to my untrained eye). I'm not sure if this is something that the owner would have taken the time to do for a tool. However, given that a person would likely use a tool far more often than a weapon, it is entirely possible that such attention to detail would be paid.

The blade itself is of an octagonal cross section. This seems like a very robust design for something that would be typically used on soft vegetation.

I think this matches some of the rattan work I see on pieces from South-east Asia. It has the tang peened in a manner I've seen on Central/East Asian cooking knives (although I'm sure it isn't unique to that part of the world).

Finally, if anyone has any insights into the collection/ascension numbers on the blade. I'm doubtful that there is consistency in how such numbers are used, but on the off-chance someone knew how to interpret, that could help to at least narrow down a time period. My guess, based on the oxidation of the blade, the condition of the rattan, and the overall robust construction is this is no younger than the early 20th century, perhaps late 19th. To account for buyer bias, you probably need to knock off 20 years from my estimate!

As always, I eagerly await your impressions, and thank you for taking the time!

25th January 2021, 06:51 PM	#1
shayde78 Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 443	Sickle for comment - tool or weapon? Hello all - I wanted to offer for comment the below sickle and read your opinions of this being solely for agricultural use or, was it intended to serve as a weapon. Of course, I fully acknowledge the line between these applications is nebulous at best. A garden rake or shovel can make a serviceable weapon in a pinch. However, some are more purpose designed to serve in a martial capacity. For starters, I searched through the archives here, and didn't see anything that looked like this. Perhaps because it is indeed a simple tool. Of the example below, it is approximately 21" long, is sharpened on both the inside AND outside edges, has damage to both of these edges suggesting contact with something harder than vegetation. The grip, and the 'ricasso' of the blade are wrapped with rattan. The part on the blade is particularly ornately done (to my untrained eye). I'm not sure if this is something that the owner would have taken the time to do for a tool. However, given that a person would likely use a tool far more often than a weapon, it is entirely possible that such attention to detail would be paid. The blade itself is of an octagonal cross section. This seems like a very robust design for something that would be typically used on soft vegetation. I think this matches some of the rattan work I see on pieces from South-east Asia. It has the tang peened in a manner I've seen on Central/East Asian cooking knives (although I'm sure it isn't unique to that part of the world). Finally, if anyone has any insights into the collection/ascension numbers on the blade. I'm doubtful that there is consistency in how such numbers are used, but on the off-chance someone knew how to interpret, that could help to at least narrow down a time period. My guess, based on the oxidation of the blade, the condition of the rattan, and the overall robust construction is this is no younger than the early 20th century, perhaps late 19th. To account for buyer bias, you probably need to knock off 20 years from my estimate! As always, I eagerly await your impressions, and thank you for taking the time! Attached Images