mystery big knife for id

Mefidk · 29th April 2012, 02:44 PM

Hi folks - I wonder if someone could tell me something about this knife? It came as part of a mixed lot (Africa, Sri Lanka, Phillipines, Indonesia and this), but I thought looked interesting.

Length as near as I can guess is about 60-65cm in total.

My first thought was Indian, but I'm very unsure now and perhaps I'm leaning towards south America

Could be a big kitchen knife, but that bowie like end suggests a more business-like purpose. Anyway I feel I'm missing something really obvious, but honestly I don't know.

The piece is still in transit to me, but I can make better pictures when it arrives if needed.

Thanks in advance,
Chris

Tim Simmons · 29th April 2012, 03:59 PM

This might be a long shot but the blade are indeed remarkably similar, even the two rivet handle fixing. So if it came with African stuff perhaps?

Mefidk · 30th April 2012, 06:17 AM

Impressive knife!
That blade shape does seem close, although there is a lot of difference in the style of the hilt. Seems the best lead so far though

The lot was a total mixed bag, one African short sword came with it, but that was definitely Congo. Where does your example originate from, I guess futher north?

Mefidk · 1st May 2012, 01:59 PM

Still trying to figure this out. Following a suggestion from another forumite the closest I've been able to come is the attached. This is (I think) a WW2 US army machete! But perhaps mine might be a similar tool with a more ethnographic origin?

ausjulius · 13th May 2012, 12:16 PM

id disagree in guess its some sort of blacksmith made blade from central america with a home made handle the lines at the riccasso are rather specific to knives form this area..

Lew · 13th May 2012, 01:10 PM

IMO

A South American or Mexican locally made machete maybe with an importered blade.

Mefidk · 15th May 2012, 07:40 AM

Thanks guys - seems like we are nearing a consensus on central/south America

Thanks also for the tip about the two vertical lines, I did not know this was indicative of a region.

Unfortunately the shipper has been very slow so I still don't have the piece in hand. Once I do perhaps I can glean some more information.

29th April 2012, 02:44 PM	#1
Mefidk Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Denmark Posts: 157	mystery big knife for id Hi folks - I wonder if someone could tell me something about this knife? It came as part of a mixed lot (Africa, Sri Lanka, Phillipines, Indonesia and this), but I thought looked interesting. Length as near as I can guess is about 60-65cm in total. My first thought was Indian, but I'm very unsure now and perhaps I'm leaning towards south America Could be a big kitchen knife, but that bowie like end suggests a more business-like purpose. Anyway I feel I'm missing something really obvious, but honestly I don't know. The piece is still in transit to me, but I can make better pictures when it arrives if needed. Thanks in advance, Chris Attached Images

29th April 2012, 03:59 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	This might be a long shot but the blade are indeed remarkably similar, even the two rivet handle fixing. So if it came with African stuff perhaps? Attached Images

1st May 2012, 01:59 PM	#4
Mefidk Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Denmark Posts: 157	Still trying to figure this out. Following a suggestion from another forumite the closest I've been able to come is the attached. This is (I think) a WW2 US army machete! But perhaps mine might be a similar tool with a more ethnographic origin? Attached Images

30th April 2012, 06:17 AM	#3
Mefidk Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Denmark Posts: 157	Impressive knife! That blade shape does seem close, although there is a lot of difference in the style of the hilt. Seems the best lead so far though The lot was a total mixed bag, one African short sword came with it, but that was definitely Congo. Where does your example originate from, I guess futher north?

13th May 2012, 12:16 PM	#5
ausjulius Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: musorian territory Posts: 422	id disagree in guess its some sort of blacksmith made blade from central america with a home made handle the lines at the riccasso are rather specific to knives form this area..

13th May 2012, 01:10 PM	#6
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	IMO A South American or Mexican locally made machete maybe with an importered blade.

15th May 2012, 07:40 AM	#7
Mefidk Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Denmark Posts: 157	Thanks guys - seems like we are nearing a consensus on central/south America Thanks also for the tip about the two vertical lines, I did not know this was indicative of a region. Unfortunately the shipper has been very slow so I still don't have the piece in hand. Once I do perhaps I can glean some more information.