Viet Cong Clasp Knife

trenchwarfare · 4th August 2015, 06:00 PM

Some little bit better photos. With the prevalence of clasp knives in France, I see a strong possibility one would be found in Viet Nam. Could be a hand-me-down, from the French colonial days. I don't think the wood is Teak. The grain is too open.

kronckew · 4th August 2015, 07:15 PM

ring pull locks on folders were common in germany, spain & france. i've got a couple... er, a few.

more recently they have been made under license in so. africa & even 'cold steel' has made a copy in more modern materials. (photo 1)

it is said the so. african one is responsible for more deaths there than any other.

they are a variant on the spanish ratcheting navaja's (photo 2)

someone once said that many a person's last heard sound was the distinctive sound of their opening.

trenchwarfare · 6th August 2015, 02:59 AM

I used to have several Navaja, from Mexico. (similar to the one pictured) The blades, were extremely curved inward, Corvo style. It seemed, that the intended use, was for cutting the throat, from behind. One day at a show, I told my theory to an older Mexican gentleman. He shook his finger, "No, no, no." Then he motioned across his belly. Yikes!

Ian · 6th August 2015, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trenchwarfare

I used to have several Navaja, from Mexico. (similar to the one pictured) The blades, were extremely curved inward, Corvo style. It seemed, that the intended use, was for cutting the throat, from behind. One day at a show, I told my theory to an older Mexican gentleman. He shook his finger, "No, no, no." Then he motioned across his belly. Yikes!

Yes, definitely to eviscerate someone. Same as for the corvo, although the corvo was used on the face also to disfigure but not kill an opponent.

Ian.

ariel · 6th August 2015, 03:47 AM

There are written sources about the use of corvo during the Chile-Peru war; multiple accounts of throat cutting. Including a wholesale murder of Peruvian wounded during a raid on a military hospital. Charming people... Face marking was not high on their list of priorities, that was a customary practice of French apaches, Mafia and Camorra during their internal fights. Chileans went for the jugular ( pun intended).

The curved one in Post #6 is a very peaceful garden variety pruning knife. Google it, including images. These Mexican gentlemen have inflamed imagination: too much tequila and overcooked beans :-)))))

kronckew · 6th August 2015, 08:48 AM

yes, the extreme one looks like a pruning knife is it's primary purpose, but of course could serve a more sinester purpose.

the kerambit has has similar shape & is generally described as a deadly stealth knife used in a belly cut in a close up surprise attack.

opinel make a nice & cheap pruner, the blades tend to be thinner that we'd expect on a more 'tactical' knife, but opinel uses a good and strong steel.

4th August 2015, 06:00 PM	#1
trenchwarfare Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 385	Some little bit better photos. With the prevalence of clasp knives in France, I see a strong possibility one would be found in Viet Nam. Could be a hand-me-down, from the French colonial days. I don't think the wood is Teak. The grain is too open. Attached Images

4th August 2015, 07:15 PM	#2
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	ring pull locks on folders were common in germany, spain & france. i've got a couple... er, a few. more recently they have been made under license in so. africa & even 'cold steel' has made a copy in more modern materials. (photo 1) it is said the so. african one is responsible for more deaths there than any other. they are a variant on the spanish ratcheting navaja's (photo 2) someone once said that many a person's last heard sound was the distinctive sound of their opening. Attached Images

6th August 2015, 02:59 AM	#3
trenchwarfare Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 385	I used to have several Navaja, from Mexico. (similar to the one pictured) The blades, were extremely curved inward, Corvo style. It seemed, that the intended use, was for cutting the throat, from behind. One day at a show, I told my theory to an older Mexican gentleman. He shook his finger, "No, no, no." Then he motioned across his belly. Yikes! Attached Images

6th August 2015, 03:47 AM	#5
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	There are written sources about the use of corvo during the Chile-Peru war; multiple accounts of throat cutting. Including a wholesale murder of Peruvian wounded during a raid on a military hospital. Charming people... Face marking was not high on their list of priorities, that was a customary practice of French apaches, Mafia and Camorra during their internal fights. Chileans went for the jugular ( pun intended). The curved one in Post #6 is a very peaceful garden variety pruning knife. Google it, including images. These Mexican gentlemen have inflamed imagination: too much tequila and overcooked beans :-))))) Last edited by ariel; 6th August 2015 at 03:59 AM.

6th August 2015, 08:48 AM	#6
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	yes, the extreme one looks like a pruning knife is it's primary purpose, but of course could serve a more sinester purpose. the kerambit has has similar shape & is generally described as a deadly stealth knife used in a belly cut in a close up surprise attack. opinel make a nice & cheap pruner, the blades tend to be thinner that we'd expect on a more 'tactical' knife, but opinel uses a good and strong steel. Attached Images