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Ian · 20th September 2006, 12:57 PM

Hi Lee.

Interesting looking small blade and handle. Seems to me it is a tool of some sort, rather than a weapon. A little like a farrier's knife for cleaning horse's hooves, but this looks too nice for such a mundane purpose.

My first thought was an old fleam to let blood from horses, people. A popular practice in the 19th C. Otherwise, I suppose it could be a wood working tool for carving or some other small knife purpose.

I don't think it is a Native American knife ("crooked knife"). It has a nice "folk" look to the hilt and the whipping on the handle does not strike me as Native American. Blade looks sturdy and forged.

Be interested to hear what others think.

Ian.

Lee · 22nd September 2006, 09:50 AM

Hi Ian,

I think that this actually is a "crooked knife" functionally as it clearly fits in the hand to be used as a single-handed draw knife. It has some age to it, but I would hesitate to put this particular example of the tool before the first half of the 20th century and I would similarly hestitate to identify this particular example's cultural origin.

A couple of good links I found to "crooked knives":

Mo-co-ta-gan: Crooked Knives
Mocotaugan: The Story and Art of the Crooked Knife

Tim Simmons · 22nd September 2006, 08:43 PM

I have seen a "crooked" knife in a local junk shop. I will see if it is still there in the morning and if cheap enough buy it to compare. It has an antler handle and no binding with absolutely no indication that it is not English. A rural or urban for all that matters, farriers search tool. I really know nothing about horses being more of a Townie.

Ian · 22nd September 2006, 09:36 PM

Lee:

It was the blade that put me off. I think of "crooked knives" as having more square-ended blades with a terminal hook. But I see from your referenced sites that not all blades have such an appearance.

It seems curious that this style is unknown to occur before the 19th C.

Ian.

Spunjer · 18th October 2006, 03:00 PM

never thought i get to see one of these in my collection, but i guess every now and then even the blind dog gets lucky. just got it yesterday. being beautified at the moment (pedicure, manicure,hot wax treatment...). will post better pics in the future. pic one by itself, pic two, the handle, and pic three compared with a barung for size comparison.

OAL= 24.5"
Blade= 18"
Blade thickness (by the hilt)=7/16"
Width at the widest point= 2.5"

pretty much the classic bangkung described on cato's book. banati handle with silver punto.

mross · 18th October 2006, 05:02 PM

Very nice. I would say that's a very lucky dog!

Battara · 18th October 2006, 07:05 PM

Congratulations! Nice puppies (woof!

).

18th October 2006, 03:00 PM	#5
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	The rare bangkung never thought i get to see one of these in my collection, but i guess every now and then even the blind dog gets lucky. just got it yesterday. being beautified at the moment (pedicure, manicure,hot wax treatment...). will post better pics in the future. pic one by itself, pic two, the handle, and pic three compared with a barung for size comparison. OAL= 24.5" Blade= 18" Blade thickness (by the hilt)=7/16" Width at the widest point= 2.5" pretty much the classic bangkung described on cato's book. banati handle with silver punto. Attached Images

20th September 2006, 12:57 PM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,361	Hi Lee. Interesting looking small blade and handle. Seems to me it is a tool of some sort, rather than a weapon. A little like a farrier's knife for cleaning horse's hooves, but this looks too nice for such a mundane purpose. My first thought was an old fleam to let blood from horses, people. A popular practice in the 19th C. Otherwise, I suppose it could be a wood working tool for carving or some other small knife purpose. I don't think it is a Native American knife ("crooked knife"). It has a nice "folk" look to the hilt and the whipping on the handle does not strike me as Native American. Blade looks sturdy and forged. Be interested to hear what others think. Ian.

22nd September 2006, 09:50 AM	#2
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 932	Hi Ian, I think that this actually is a "crooked knife" functionally as it clearly fits in the hand to be used as a single-handed draw knife. It has some age to it, but I would hesitate to put this particular example of the tool before the first half of the 20th century and I would similarly hestitate to identify this particular example's cultural origin. A couple of good links I found to "crooked knives": Mo-co-ta-gan: Crooked Knives Mocotaugan: The Story and Art of the Crooked Knife

22nd September 2006, 08:43 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,842	I have seen a "crooked" knife in a local junk shop. I will see if it is still there in the morning and if cheap enough buy it to compare. It has an antler handle and no binding with absolutely no indication that it is not English. A rural or urban for all that matters, farriers search tool. I really know nothing about horses being more of a Townie.

22nd September 2006, 09:36 PM	#4
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,361	Lee: It was the blade that put me off. I think of "crooked knives" as having more square-ended blades with a terminal hook. But I see from your referenced sites that not all blades have such an appearance. It seems curious that this style is unknown to occur before the 19th C. Ian.

18th October 2006, 05:02 PM	#6
mross Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 478	Very nice. I would say that's a very lucky dog!

18th October 2006, 07:05 PM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Congratulations! Nice puppies (woof! ).