Unknown weapon

[Sajen]

A few days ago this ended on ebay and i am curious to know what it is and I am sure that someone will know the name and origin. I think that it comes from SEA. It is 20" long, the blade is 7" and 1/2" thick.

Thank you,

Detlef

[Robert]

It kind of looks like a Bagobo sangi on steroids. Maybe a larger brush cutting version?
What ever it is it looks to be very well made. Nice find.

Robert

[KuKulzA28]

Looks like it'd be really good for shaving sticks or peeling big fruits...

[Nathaniel]

Hey Detlef,

I tried to find if there where any past threads on this one...thought there where but maybe it was just some discussions before I remember???

I don't know the name for these, but they are a nice style of utility knife you will find in Thailand, and neighboring countries. You might commonly hear about it called a rattan splitter. The long curved handle is functional because you can use your forearm, knee, stomach it to brace/stabilize the blade which allows you to do either a push or draw cut

Here are some other examples:

[A. G. Maisey]

Here is a pic of something I sold about 8 or 9 years ago.

I was told by somebody who should know a lot more than I do about Indian culture and society, that it is a ritual razor. It was pretty big, maybe 12 or 14 inches long, however held like a razor it was quite easy to use as one.

Yes, its gold koftgari and the ferrule was gold.

I apologise for the photo, its a pic of a pic, done by artificial light at night, with P&P camera.

[tom hyle]

AFAIK Nathaniel is essentially correct. Additionally to splitting rattan though, these long handled knives are used for carving wood. Not only does the long handle allow the blade to be driven with the shoulder or belly using the weight and power of the torso, but the massive blade reduces chatter/vibration/wiggle and gives stability to the cut.
On the other hand, SE Asia often shows a close kinship between fighting and work forms and Alan Maisey's highly decorated example is interesting. On an even longer handle, still often curved, there are cutting spears much like this, though they lack the widened butt for pushing against.
I've been drooling over this item, but buying others......

[Tim Simmons]

It is hard to deny that this knife must be related to the examples shown. A recent visitor whos oppions I found I had to respect suggested that this knife was from Asian Islands. I thought it could be some kind of fancy "Nifo Oti"

It is 21 inches long, blade 6.75 inches long, much the same as the item Detlef started the topic with. The blade is thin, 3mm at the very most near the forte, 5mm at the curl. The trouble is to me the handle decoration seems so not Asian? also the ferrule is is just bent round and not solderd or braised the ends just butting up to each other which does not strike me as Asian unless Island in the very extreme of east Asia? It would be great to find an answer. I no longer collect Asian weapons or any blades unless very unusual.

[Nathaniel]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Here is a pic of something I sold about 8 or 9 years ago.

I was told by somebody who should know a lot more than I do about Indian culture and society, that it is a ritual razor. It was pretty big, maybe 12 or 14 inches long, however held like a razor it was quite easy to use as one.

Yes, its gold koftgari and the ferrule was gold.

I apologise for the photo, its a pic of a pic, done by artificial light at night, with P&P camera.

Wow, that is quite the fancy one! I've never seen one that decorative...just the simple utility pieces. Thanks for sharing! Always fun to see something you haven't seen before :-)