Early GI knife

Lee · 10th October 2025, 06:10 PM

These forums have been provided for the discussion of ethnographic arms and armour, such being defined as "traditional handmade edged weapons and armour of many diverse cultures worldwide, some currently, but mostly formerly, in production and use." A 10th Century Viking sword and a 20th Century Indonesian keris are both going to fit into that category. Militaria (even a venerable model 1860 U.S. cavalry saber) have been excluded as have reproductions except, for the former, in rare cases where reuse and reworking have brought an item into the definition and, for the later, as an entirely peripheral example of form or decoration. There is nothing wrong with these excluded items and it is understood that many member's interests also extend into this territory (as do mine,) but we do need to maintain focus here.

Hotspur has helpfully provided links above to other forums specializing in these areas of study and collecting where such discussions may be more appropriately carried out. Traditional Japanese swords fit the definition, but I personally go to the Nihonto Message Board, listed as the final link above, because it is the best place for that specialty. I follow some of the Facebook groups as well, but those discussions seem very much "in the moment" and I rarely can find one again, so I tend to agree with Hotspur here.

I am leaving this thread open and invite you to reply with links to other forums and groups that may be of interest to the membership.

drac2k · 10th October 2025, 10:50 PM

I don't want to belabor the argument, however "Theatre Knives," are not the sole dominion of the "US or GI's." Just today I received a WW2 Japanese fighting Knife, made from the end of a French M1866 bayonet, complete with kanji writing on the handle,so you see, sometimes the lines are blurred.Are we talking about a M1866 French Bayonet or a WW2 Japanese fighting Knife?
Also, just maybe, such topics could attract a younger crowd,so that when all of us old guys expire, a new group will take our place.

gp · 11th October 2025, 04:13 PM

thank you gents for your reply

10th October 2025, 06:10 PM	#1
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 980	Policy Statement These forums have been provided for the discussion of ethnographic arms and armour, such being defined as "traditional handmade edged weapons and armour of many diverse cultures worldwide, some currently, but mostly formerly, in production and use." A 10th Century Viking sword and a 20th Century Indonesian keris are both going to fit into that category. Militaria (even a venerable model 1860 U.S. cavalry saber) have been excluded as have reproductions except, for the former, in rare cases where reuse and reworking have brought an item into the definition and, for the later, as an entirely peripheral example of form or decoration. There is nothing wrong with these excluded items and it is understood that many member's interests also extend into this territory (as do mine,) but we do need to maintain focus here. Hotspur has helpfully provided links above to other forums specializing in these areas of study and collecting where such discussions may be more appropriately carried out. Traditional Japanese swords fit the definition, but I personally go to the Nihonto Message Board, listed as the final link above, because it is the best place for that specialty. I follow some of the Facebook groups as well, but those discussions seem very much "in the moment" and I rarely can find one again, so I tend to agree with Hotspur here. I am leaving this thread open and invite you to reply with links to other forums and groups that may be of interest to the membership.

11th October 2025, 04:13 PM	#3
gp Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 928	thank you gents for your reply Last edited by gp; 11th October 2025 at 04:25 PM.

10th October 2025, 10:50 PM	#2
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,303	I don't want to belabor the argument, however "Theatre Knives," are not the sole dominion of the "US or GI's." Just today I received a WW2 Japanese fighting Knife, made from the end of a French M1866 bayonet, complete with kanji writing on the handle,so you see, sometimes the lines are blurred.Are we talking about a M1866 French Bayonet or a WW2 Japanese fighting Knife? Also, just maybe, such topics could attract a younger crowd,so that when all of us old guys expire, a new group will take our place.