Small knife for ID

Sajen · 13th March 2024, 06:40 PM

Here a similar one sold by a German auction.

A. G. Maisey · 13th March 2024, 08:53 PM

Agreed.

Ian · 14th March 2024, 02:22 AM

Thank you Detlef and Alan!

I did not realize that piha kaetta came in a "simple" form. I don't think we have another example posted in the Forum. Any idea how old this one may be? How common are these knives and what were they used for? I would think they are utility knives, but would love to know more about them.

Sajen · 14th March 2024, 06:16 PM

Hi Ian,

Have seen a lot by auction houses and as well by epray over the years. And I guess like you that these are utility knives, maybe for cutting betel? I just don't know exactly.

Regards,
Detlef

A. G. Maisey · 14th March 2024, 08:18 PM

This type of knife is not something that I have much interest in these days --- 50 years ago I did, but I've moved past the "shotgun" approach.

However, my memory tells me that these were status pieces , given as gifts to court officials, noblemen, and foreign visitors. They were produced on command in only four Kandian royal workshops. They began to appear in the 18th century.

Sajen · 14th March 2024, 11:37 PM

So far I know there are different piha knives, all for different purposes. I don't think that the two shown examples here are status knives.
In old threads I found indeed only one similar example, see pic.
Here is some more information: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=8431

A. G. Maisey · 15th March 2024, 02:26 AM

You're probably right Detlef, however, we must remember that there are different levels of status.

Or maybe forerunners of the higher quality pieces.

13th March 2024, 06:40 PM	#1
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,409	Here a similar one sold by a German auction. Attached Images

14th March 2024, 11:37 PM	#6
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,409	So far I know there are different piha knives, all for different purposes. I don't think that the two shown examples here are status knives. In old threads I found indeed only one similar example, see pic. Here is some more information: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=8431 Attached Images

13th March 2024, 08:53 PM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,085	Agreed.

14th March 2024, 02:22 AM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,512	Thank you Detlef and Alan! I did not realize that piha kaetta came in a "simple" form. I don't think we have another example posted in the Forum. Any idea how old this one may be? How common are these knives and what were they used for? I would think they are utility knives, but would love to know more about them.

14th March 2024, 06:16 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,409	Hi Ian, Have seen a lot by auction houses and as well by epray over the years. And I guess like you that these are utility knives, maybe for cutting betel? I just don't know exactly. Regards, Detlef

14th March 2024, 08:18 PM	#5
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,085	This type of knife is not something that I have much interest in these days --- 50 years ago I did, but I've moved past the "shotgun" approach. However, my memory tells me that these were status pieces , given as gifts to court officials, noblemen, and foreign visitors. They were produced on command in only four Kandian royal workshops. They began to appear in the 18th century.

15th March 2024, 02:26 AM	#7
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,085	You're probably right Detlef, however, we must remember that there are different levels of status. Or maybe forerunners of the higher quality pieces.