Unusual, Attractive Burmese Knife/Chopper

CharlesS · 24th November 2015, 03:59 PM

This Burmese knife, or chopper, is quite a unique and attractive piece minus the 1/4in. loss to the top of the hilt carving. The blade is rather light but the bolster fitted to the hilt is all business, so I am not sure if this was meant to be a weapon or tool. The blade looks like it may be laminated, but I have not etched it.

I'd love to learn more about this type of blade if any of our Burmese experts are familiar with it.

Dimensions:
Overall length: 16in.
Blade length: 11.5in.
Blade's widest point: 1.75in.

DaveA · 25th November 2015, 02:02 AM

The blade resembles a chopper I have. Mine is called "mead peek nok" (birds wing knife) in Thai. As i understand, similar firms are found in Laos and Vietnam. More info on my website at atkinson-swords.com

CharlesS · 28th November 2015, 09:16 PM

I have since learned from a source who prefers not to write on this forum, that the blade is actually likely a English made carving knife set with a Burmese hilt. Likely this piece was part of a set and would have included at least a large matching fork and perhaps more pieces. The thick bolster matches those seen on similar English blade types.

This was not at all the explanation I was expecting, but makes perfect sense as the Brits included Burma within their empire. I am sure there were many colonials there that would have been impressed by the artistic quality of these hilts.

CharlesS · 2nd December 2015, 11:51 PM

Here is an example of such an English carving knife complete with the rest of the set.

24th November 2015, 03:59 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Unusual, Attractive Burmese Knife/Chopper This Burmese knife, or chopper, is quite a unique and attractive piece minus the 1/4in. loss to the top of the hilt carving. The blade is rather light but the bolster fitted to the hilt is all business, so I am not sure if this was meant to be a weapon or tool. The blade looks like it may be laminated, but I have not etched it. I'd love to learn more about this type of blade if any of our Burmese experts are familiar with it. Dimensions: Overall length: 16in. Blade length: 11.5in. Blade's widest point: 1.75in. Attached Images Last edited by CharlesS; 24th November 2015 at 04:22 PM.

25th November 2015, 02:02 AM	#2
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 415	Bird wing knife? The blade resembles a chopper I have. Mine is called "mead peek nok" (birds wing knife) in Thai. As i understand, similar firms are found in Laos and Vietnam. More info on my website at atkinson-swords.com Attached Images

2nd December 2015, 11:51 PM	#4
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Here is an example of such an English carving knife complete with the rest of the set. Attached Images

28th November 2015, 09:16 PM	#3
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	I have since learned from a source who prefers not to write on this forum, that the blade is actually likely a English made carving knife set with a Burmese hilt. Likely this piece was part of a set and would have included at least a large matching fork and perhaps more pieces. The thick bolster matches those seen on similar English blade types. This was not at all the explanation I was expecting, but makes perfect sense as the Brits included Burma within their empire. I am sure there were many colonials there that would have been impressed by the artistic quality of these hilts.