Help needed to id knife

AHite · 21st December 2022, 11:17 PM

I have had this knife in my collection for a few years, but have never researched where it was made. Based on a few clues I believe it is Asian in origin. Total length is 25cm, or 10 inches. Blade is 4mm thickness at the guard. The handle is solid horn, with brass ricasso and guard. I'm interested in learning about the markings on the blade, particularly the sun image. It looks like the sun was created by using a round piece of copper that goes through the blade.

The scabbard is leather, badly damaged at the end where the very sharp point of the blade has punched through. Split rivets and thread hold the two pieces of the scabbard together. Overall it's an interesting knife even if it turns out to be just a tourist piece. Thanks for any and all information!

shayde78 · 27th December 2022, 09:11 PM

By no means an expert (barely a novice), but this reminded me a little of an item I posted herehttp://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=24390 a while ago.

So, it might be a Surmene variant. Heavy speculation and guessing on my part.

AHite · 28th December 2022, 11:07 AM

Thanks for your info!

Athanase · 29th December 2022, 01:31 AM

For me it's vintage "tourist/souvenir" knife from india.

David R · 29th December 2022, 08:35 AM

How thick is the back of the blade?

Tim Simmons · 29th December 2022, 12:20 PM

If it was not for the scabbard, it looks Thai/sea, to me especially the guard?

AHite · 29th December 2022, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David R

How thick is the back of the blade?

Using my calipers the thickness part of the blade is 4.15mm.

carlos · 29th December 2022, 09:50 PM

A friend bought one like this piece in Thailand several years ago.
Best regards
Carlos

ariel · 30th December 2022, 11:45 AM

I am with Tim and Carlos.

kronckew · 30th December 2022, 12:12 PM

The knife does have the shape of a Thai enep or Hmong (Montaniard) knife. the touristy scabbard probably for Western eyes. May even have been replaced by or for a GI during the Vietnam war.

Mine: The villagers prefer these without the thick aluminium guard.

David R · 30th December 2022, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AHite

Using my calipers the thickness part of the blade is 4.15mm.

Which indicates it's made for use.... Anyway others have identified it, so I am late to the party.

Sajen · 28th January 2023, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David R

Which indicates it's made for use.... Anyway others have identified it, so I am late to the party.

Hello David,

I have attached pictures from a similar one I've sold not long ago.
40 cm long with a blade from 26 cm, 7 mm thick at the spine direct after the handle and a weight from 460 gram. Very sharp. When this knife wasn't made for use I don't know.

Regards,
Detlef

21st December 2022, 11:17 PM	#1
AHite Member Join Date: Dec 2022 Posts: 48	Help needed to id knife I have had this knife in my collection for a few years, but have never researched where it was made. Based on a few clues I believe it is Asian in origin. Total length is 25cm, or 10 inches. Blade is 4mm thickness at the guard. The handle is solid horn, with brass ricasso and guard. I'm interested in learning about the markings on the blade, particularly the sun image. It looks like the sun was created by using a round piece of copper that goes through the blade. The scabbard is leather, badly damaged at the end where the very sharp point of the blade has punched through. Split rivets and thread hold the two pieces of the scabbard together. Overall it's an interesting knife even if it turns out to be just a tourist piece. Thanks for any and all information! Attached Images

30th December 2022, 12:12 PM	#10
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,178	The knife does have the shape of a Thai enep or Hmong (Montaniard) knife. the touristy scabbard probably for Western eyes. May even have been replaced by or for a GI during the Vietnam war. Mine: The villagers prefer these without the thick aluminium guard. Attached Images Last edited by kronckew; 30th December 2022 at 12:22 PM.

27th December 2022, 09:11 PM	#2
shayde78 Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 445	By no means an expert (barely a novice), but this reminded me a little of an item I posted herehttp://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=24390 a while ago. So, it might be a Surmene variant. Heavy speculation and guessing on my part.

28th December 2022, 11:07 AM	#3
AHite Member Join Date: Dec 2022 Posts: 48	Thanks for your info!

29th December 2022, 01:31 AM	#4
Athanase Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Paris (France) Posts: 408	For me it's vintage "tourist/souvenir" knife from india.

29th December 2022, 08:35 AM	#5
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,079	How thick is the back of the blade?

29th December 2022, 12:20 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,806	If it was not for the scabbard, it looks Thai/sea, to me especially the guard?

29th December 2022, 09:50 PM	#8
carlos Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 737	A friend bought one like this piece in Thailand several years ago. Best regards Carlos

30th December 2022, 11:45 AM	#9
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	I am with Tim and Carlos.