CAMBODIAN KNIFE for COMMENT
 

Just picked up this evil piece at a Bangkok market. Seller states that it originates in Cambodia and is about 100 years old (likely as it shows good age). The method of use, is to use the hook to pull the opponents arms away from his face, (which no doubt he is trying to protect) and at the same time slash his neck/face with the blade, which is sharpened in the inner curve.
The hook/handle is horn with brass bands, and probably from some sort of deer, and the blade looks to be made from a file. Not yet had time to remove the rust but will do so when time allows.
Meanwhile if anyone can name this knife and/or the animal from which the horn comes, I would be grateful.

My knowledgable friend tells me this isnt a weapon but a cambodian rice cutters knife.

Always take any story from a market seller with a pinch of salt, particularly a Bangkok market!!!

Still looks a nice thing though, and im sure it would make a mean weapon if said Cambodian rice cutter was ever in a pinch!!!

Agree with Carlitobrigante, it's a rice cutting knife from Cambochia, a very nice one.

Regards,

Detlef

Thanks for those comments. My first reaction when I saw this at the market , was that it was a rice knife. However I needed to tell what the seller said to get some comment. Do you know what animal the horn comes from?
Regards Stuart

My guess would be water buffalo. :)

The horn IMHO is too small for Buffalo. Their horns are massive and very thick.
More likely some sort of deer I think.

Please look to the handles from Rentjong's, they also thin. They can be carved to be thin. My humble opinion. :) BTW, the horn from water buffalo isn't massive. I have a complete horn in my house, if you want I can take a picture.

Best regards,

Detlef

I agree, however this horn appears to be uncarved. The hollow end is quite small, and if it was a Buffalo horn then the centre where the marrow would have been, would be much larger.

:) This also came up in discussion in this thread too earlier :)
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=11172

Thanks to those who have replied. The item is definately a rice knife, but I would still like to know from which animal the horn comes :)

I do not know what the black, curved horn is, but the horn used in the grip is the horn of water buffalo, or kerbau.

The horns vary in size, and in conformation. The horn of male kerbau is hollow for much of its length, the horn of female kerbau is heavier, more dense, and has the solid section of horn for a greater length.

What I can see in this grip is the horn of a young male.

Logically, one would think that this would be reversed, that males would have the more solid horn, but what I have written above has been told to me many times, by many different people who know a lot more about the subject than I do, so I am pretty much inclined to believe it is so.

Great info & Analysis...not much to add, but in Thai I've heard the romanization also spelled Carabao

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carabao

Another tangent is probably the most famous Thai music group is also name Carabao
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carabao_(band)

...for which the band has the energy drink, Carabao.. http://www.screamingenergy.com/energy_drink_68.php
which is the less well known/popular rival to the Thai energy drink, Red Bull.

Guess the Bull/ Water Buffalo is thought of well for it's stamina...that reminds me of a recent discussion with friends regarding the Oregon Trail, the west ward pioneer wagon trail...friend told me that the Ox was the preferred beast of burden due to their stamina for the long strenuous journey, not horses as was pictured on the cover of a book we had in hand...but enough digression

It is a rice cutter and it might not be that old saw lots of them there in same condition when I was there. the hook in the back is for pulling the rice then you flip it then cut.

Here is a similar piece for sale on a website

Rice knife

Thanks Gene. Mine of course does not have the carved handle but I still rather like it. :)