A Whatzit / A Little OT
 

Brought to me by one of my yard sale amigos .
He was told it's a tobacco knife .
The front edge and bottom edge are sharpened .
The blade is 1/16" thick , no taper .

So whatzit ? :confused:

Hi Rick,

I think it is a cane knife. but who says it can't be used for tobacco?
http://www.cutsforthknives.com/item-...1-01&storeid=1

Jeff

Thanks Jeff !

Shame on me ; a rum drinker . :o :o :D

There is a British? military issue machete that was used in West Africa almost identical to this, the ones I have seen have not had the projection at the end of the blade but that alone does not mean much as one years version may vary from the next especially if made at a different factory. The handle constrution on your example is typical of issue type knives. I shall see if I can find a picture of the issue machete, somebody must have a picture. Pictures of Africanised ones can be seen in C Springs- British Museum Publication- African Arms and Armour. Tim

These patterns go back to American colonial times and were 'camp knives' used to clear away brush. See Neumann's "Swords and blades of the American Revolution" for very similar pieces. I've heard them called 'fascines', which is odd, as this word means literally "bundle of sticks", perhaps after their use. I have seen later 19th century British camp knives such as this, as well as a similar(but not exact) type used throughout the old Spanish colonies and independent Mexico (like a cross between this piece, an espada ancha and a machete). In any case, they are kinda cool in their general shape. I'd like to get an old Rev War version one of these days...