Vietnamese talismanic knife?

blue lander · 9th May 2014, 05:56 PM

That looks like a dead ringer for the figure on the handle. I guess it's Burmese after all. Dare I ask what hamster bone is?

Edit: I just reread the auction description and he says it's a betel nut knife. It doesn't look like any of the betel knives I've seen on google though.

Sajen · 9th May 2014, 10:47 PM

Interesting item! But not a betel knife. Would like to see some better pictures. The handle material look a little bit odd, would like to see some better pictures when you have received it.
Hamster bone

: Barry has written recently in a other thread what people used to describe ivory in ebay and it seems that one seller has described it as hamster bone!

Regards,
Detlef

VANDOO · 10th May 2014, 02:31 AM

ANOTHER POSSIBILITY IS ITS A TOOL RELATED TO OPIUM. THERE IS QUITE A RANGE OF IMPLEMENTS INVOLVED IN ITS PRODUCTION AND USE. I THINK THERE IS SOME OPIUM INFORMATION AND PICTURES IN AN OLD FORUM POST. A NICE AND INTERESTING ITEM I HOPE ITS A TOOTH OR HAMSTER BONE HANDLE

HERES A LINK

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ighlight=OPIUM

Andrew · 10th May 2014, 09:25 PM

Thai. My understanding is these are Buddhist ceremonial "knives."

Battara · 11th May 2014, 12:49 AM

Could the pommel be sperm whale tooth?

ariel · 11th May 2014, 01:36 PM

If it is from whale, one sperm would be enough :-)

DAHenkel · 11th May 2014, 04:13 PM

Not my area of expertise but I doubt this is Burmese. I'd say more likely northeast Thai (Esarn) or southern Lao. Could also be Khmer. You sometimes see similar billed as betel knives but would also have served admirably as a utility knife for basketry or other chores. The "magic" symbols do suggest some sort of ceremonial use. Good luck with your research.

9th May 2014, 05:56 PM	#1
blue lander Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 456	That looks like a dead ringer for the figure on the handle. I guess it's Burmese after all. Dare I ask what hamster bone is? Edit: I just reread the auction description and he says it's a betel nut knife. It doesn't look like any of the betel knives I've seen on google though. Last edited by blue lander; 9th May 2014 at 07:15 PM.

9th May 2014, 10:47 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,164	Interesting item! But not a betel knife. Would like to see some better pictures. The handle material look a little bit odd, would like to see some better pictures when you have received it. Hamster bone : Barry has written recently in a other thread what people used to describe ivory in ebay and it seems that one seller has described it as hamster bone! Regards, Detlef

10th May 2014, 02:31 AM	#3
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	ANOTHER POSSIBILITY IS ITS A TOOL RELATED TO OPIUM. THERE IS QUITE A RANGE OF IMPLEMENTS INVOLVED IN ITS PRODUCTION AND USE. I THINK THERE IS SOME OPIUM INFORMATION AND PICTURES IN AN OLD FORUM POST. A NICE AND INTERESTING ITEM I HOPE ITS A TOOTH OR HAMSTER BONE HANDLE HERES A LINK http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ighlight=OPIUM

10th May 2014, 09:25 PM	#4
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Thai. My understanding is these are Buddhist ceremonial "knives."

11th May 2014, 12:49 AM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Could the pommel be sperm whale tooth?

11th May 2014, 01:36 PM	#6
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	If it is from whale, one sperm would be enough :-)

11th May 2014, 04:13 PM	#7
DAHenkel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 125	Not my area of expertise but I doubt this is Burmese. I'd say more likely northeast Thai (Esarn) or southern Lao. Could also be Khmer. You sometimes see similar billed as betel knives but would also have served admirably as a utility knife for basketry or other chores. The "magic" symbols do suggest some sort of ceremonial use. Good luck with your research.