Unknown Venezian(?) "marine" dagger

Billman · 27th June 2011, 03:05 PM

I guess corn knives are still made because the small scale (homestead) farmer prefers this tool to a machete... being a little narrower and lighter, it probably requires a little less energy to swing. After a few days cutting corn, the difference would become noticeable....

On a large scale a combine harvester is now used - but in parts of Italy, the Balkans and Eastern Europe there are still thousands of small scale 'subsistence' farmers.

Manufacturers only make tools, and hardware stores stock them, if there is a market.... The ones you have seen could be old stock, but I guess some firms are still making them...

My hypothesis, still requires proof - one way or another..... but I remain biased towards it being an agricultural tool....

Dmitry · 27th June 2011, 10:14 PM

I believe I know from whence the wind is blowing regarding the attribution as a Venetian boarding weapon.
This piece is in the Higgins Armory Museum collection, which had been attributed by someone as a 16th c. Venetian boarding sword, an attribution I, personally, find curious, but unlikely.

Billman · 1st July 2011, 09:05 AM

The Higgins' boarding sword looks like a one-off butchered sword - the vee shaped notches would stop rigging ropes sliding off the blade, but to be honest they do not look sharp enough to actually do the job in one stroke...

27th June 2011, 10:14 PM	#2
Dmitry Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 607	I believe I know from whence the wind is blowing regarding the attribution as a Venetian boarding weapon. This piece is in the Higgins Armory Museum collection, which had been attributed by someone as a 16th c. Venetian boarding sword, an attribution I, personally, find curious, but unlikely. Attached Images

27th June 2011, 03:05 PM	#1
Billman Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 129	I guess corn knives are still made because the small scale (homestead) farmer prefers this tool to a machete... being a little narrower and lighter, it probably requires a little less energy to swing. After a few days cutting corn, the difference would become noticeable.... On a large scale a combine harvester is now used - but in parts of Italy, the Balkans and Eastern Europe there are still thousands of small scale 'subsistence' farmers. Manufacturers only make tools, and hardware stores stock them, if there is a market.... The ones you have seen could be old stock, but I guess some firms are still making them... My hypothesis, still requires proof - one way or another..... but I remain biased towards it being an agricultural tool....

1st July 2011, 09:05 AM	#3
Billman Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 129	The Higgins' boarding sword looks like a one-off butchered sword - the vee shaped notches would stop rigging ropes sliding off the blade, but to be honest they do not look sharp enough to actually do the job in one stroke...