Please show your examples of ethnographic double knives

[Ian]

"Double" or "twin" knives (i.e., a pair of knives of about the same size in a single sheath or scabbard) are found fairly commonly in some cultures. Chinese and Chinese-influenced examples come to mind in particular. However, there are other cultures that occasionally produce twin knife constructions.

Recent discovery of a pair of rare Burmese twin knives prompted an examination of the archives here and other online sources to look for unusual twin knife examples from other cultures. I did not find many.

There are Chinese examples from the 19th and 20th C found easily here and on the web (huedidao, jian, etc.). We probably don't need to repeat those here. What I would like to see are examples from a range of cultures (modern and fantasy examples excluded).

To get things started, I'm posting pictures of two of mine (the Burmese pair, and a pair of old Tuareg knives), plus a pair of Batak knives that appeared recently in an online auction. There are a few more from the old Oriental Arms web site.

The question then arises—what were these paired knives used for?

[Ian]

These were posted recently here, and some discussion can be found in that thread. As far as rarity, there are fewer than 10 known examples of paired Burmese knives in a single sheath, and most are in prominent museums. The extant examples all seem to be 19th C ensembles.

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[Ian]

The only such pair of Tuareg knives that I have seen. Would be interested if anyone else has a similar example. This pair seems to have some age, perhaps late 19th C.

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[Ian]

The only pair of these knives I have seen. Hard to assess age, but they do not appear to be very old.

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[Ian]

OTTOMAN DOUBLE KNIVES






OTTOMAN TRIPLE KNIVES








INDO-PERSIAN DOUBLE KNIVES

These two knives are not a match and I suspect that the T-bladed one is a replacement for the original twin. The plain blade on the other knife is wootz.

[Ian]

DOUBLE KHODMI KNIVES

[Ian]

From quai branley site.
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[TVV]

Originally Posted by Ian

The only such pair of Tuareg knives that I have seen. Would be interested if anyone else has a similar example. This pair seems to have some age, perhaps late 19th C.

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Ian, this style of work, which is often found on arm daggers that look similar in general shape and construction to your double daggers, is associated with the city of Bida in Nigeria. Tuareg inspired, but not Tuareg technically.

[Ian]

Originally Posted by TVV

Ian, this style of work, which is often found on arm daggers that look similar in general shape and construction to your double daggers, is associated with the city of Bida in Nigeria. Tuareg inspired, but not Tuareg technically.

Thank you TVV.

[JBG163]

Double pedang suduk from Java. Lacquered scabbard, silver fittings and pamor blade.

[Ian]

Thanks JBG. Lovely examples.

[Turkoman.khan]

Caucasian dagger. Georgia. 19th century.

[Ian]

Lovely example also TK!

Do the two hilts have a mechanism to lock them together, converting the twin daggers into a single dagger?

[GePi]

Two examples from India

[GePi]

And from Turkestan

[Turkoman.khan]

Originally Posted by Ian

Lovely example also TK!

Do the two hilts have a mechanism to lock them together, converting the twin daggers into a single dagger?

Yes. There is a mechanism that consists of pins and grooves.

[Ian]

GePi,

The Indian blades look well crafted and show a similar locking device to the example of Turkoman.khan. The Turkestan pair are gorgeous knives and perfectly matched. Are any of these blades wootz? Any idea about what they were used for?

Ian

[GePi]

Originally Posted by Ian

GePi,

The Indian blades look well crafted and show a similar locking device to the example of Turkoman.khan. The Turkestan pair are gorgeous knives and perfectly matched. Are any of these blades wootz? Any idea about what they were used for?

Ian

I only own the example with the accompanying whetstone, the blades are not wootz, they are homogenous spring steel, the spring tension locks the two halves together when joined.
The second Turkestan example is Gavin's and pattern welded I believe.

As for usage, I am not sure. It could just be a gimmick. I thought mine could be a razor because they are quite thin and very sharp, but the blades are purposefully slightly bending inwards.

[Sajen]

This little pair is new to the collection. Laotian betel knives? Not very old, mid. 20th century I guess but the fittings are from silver, bone handles.

[Peter B.]

Hello Detlef,
I have the twin of your double knife.
Even the motifs match (three-headed elephant)

[Ian]

Hi Detlef and Peter,

Nice little knives. As Detlef noted, Lao and likely mid-20th C.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Peter B.

Hello Detlef,
I have the twin of your double knife.
Even the motifs match (three-headed elephant)

Hello Peter,

Jep, an exact twin!

Regards,
Detlef