What is this?
 

Hi Guys

Can someone clue me in on what this is? It may be Vietnamese?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ayphotohosting


Lew

The blade itself 's common for SEA knives. But the handle construction looks Burmese or Tai. My best guess is a well construct Burmese/Tai/N. Thailand knife

Agree with Puff. Mainland SE Asian blade, Burmese/Thai hilt.

These are general purpose household knives, made at Thailand/Burma boarder (MaeHongSorn province). Your knife seems to have Shan tyle handle. Might be made on Burma side :D ..... I guessed


http://www.uamulet.com/showsoImages/Pic_7486_1.jpg

That is a nice collection. :) All yours?

Nah... All from another smith. You can notice that sheats are made with the same construct :D I think the smith made all blade type which are populary used in that area. ;)

Thanks Puff
 

Puff:

Thanks for those pictures. Another set of styles to "label" and locate geographically. Would you agree that the single (as opposed to two-ended) ferrule on these knives seems fairly typical of N.Thai work, extending east to Laos and Vitenam, south into Cambodia, and a little west into parts of the Shan States.

Throughout much of the Shan States, elsewhere in Burma, and northwest to Assam we seem to see twin ferrules as fairly standard fittings on the hilts of many weapons.

Ian.

Hi Guys

Thanks for the feedback. I did some research and found that this knife is marked with a North Vietnamese five pointed star that is on their flag. It was probably a GI bring back from the war. Since it seems to be in such nice shape I would guess it's a presentation piece of sorts?

Lew

Single ferrule is the most simple construct. Rat-tail tangs need to be forced into the handle so the metal furrule 's require to keep the wood from splitting. :)

1965 and star indicate Vietnam origin 's make sense. But sheat and handle are in Shan/Lanna style, not in chinese style as most vietnamese craft. The knife might be made by Burmese smith living in Vietnam. Or another possibility 's knives are bought from Lao or Lanna and then engraved in that way by dealer himself. My guess... :D