Small Chopper Identification

Runjeet Singh · 8th February 2012, 11:34 AM

Dear All,

For identification:

A Small Chopper
Total length - 13inches (332mm)
Blade length - 4.5inches (115mm)

Polished steel blade, brass collar and fittings, with a highly polished horn haft.

I bought this last year in the UK, and at the time categorised it as South Indian. However, it's not like any South Indian weapon I have handled before.

Of course there is a possibility it was made by one of the South Indian knife factories that produced blades for English knives such as Salem, but I have nothing to prove this. It does seem to have an English or Continental 'feel' about the quality.

English made, SE Asian, Nepalese, have been suggested by more than one source.

Any ideas or comments are most welcome.

Kind Regards,
Runjeet

Atlantia · 8th February 2012, 12:32 PM

Hi Runjeet,

I found a similar one (see pic) when searching for 'Ayda Katti' to try and find my chopper. It was actually from an old thread here:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=9644
but I must say that I've seen these described as 'Ram Dao' type sacrificial axes variously attributed to Nepal or India for small creatures and of all things doves!
I have no idea if thats correct or not.

Runjeet Singh · 8th February 2012, 08:40 PM

Hi Atlantia,

Thanks for your reply. Yes, the one you show in the image seems to be a relative! I notice in attempting to identify the one you have pictured 'Vandoo' suggests Indo-China.

I'm sure there is a piece of the jigsaw missing, and it will all click into place. I would be more inclined to say the one you picture is Indian, but the one I have just doesn't 'feel' Indian. If that makes sense!

Kind Regards,
Runjeet

Atlantia · 8th February 2012, 09:41 PM

Hi Runjeet,

Is the blade flat on the other side?
If so it's 'sort of' similar to the 'chopper' version of the Wedung from Bali (area).
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=wedung
But I've only seen ones with the familiar flamboyant blades.

Runjeet Singh · 8th February 2012, 09:53 PM

Yeah I can see the resemblance. The problem is a lot of Indo-Persian / SE Asian weapons share similarities, it makes our job very difficult!

The blade is identical on both sides.

Thanks again for your help. BTW Gav's photos in that link are stunning!

Runjeet

Atlantia · 8th February 2012, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Runjeet Singh

Yeah I can see the resemblance. The problem is a lot of Indo-Persian / SE Asian weapons share similarities, it makes our job very difficult!

The blade is identical on both sides.

Thanks again for your help. BTW Gav's photos in that link are stunning!

Runjeet

Ah, it was me seeing things that weren't there. I assume that all Wedung forms have the same chisel ground blade, so I'd rule that out.
Sorry to not be more help.

Best
Gene

Runjeet Singh · 9th February 2012, 12:30 AM

Thanks for all your help Gene,

Runjeet

8th February 2012, 11:34 AM	#1
Runjeet Singh Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Warwickshire, England Posts: 150	Small Chopper Identification Dear All, For identification: A Small Chopper Total length - 13inches (332mm) Blade length - 4.5inches (115mm) Polished steel blade, brass collar and fittings, with a highly polished horn haft. I bought this last year in the UK, and at the time categorised it as South Indian. However, it's not like any South Indian weapon I have handled before. Of course there is a possibility it was made by one of the South Indian knife factories that produced blades for English knives such as Salem, but I have nothing to prove this. It does seem to have an English or Continental 'feel' about the quality. English made, SE Asian, Nepalese, have been suggested by more than one source. Any ideas or comments are most welcome. Kind Regards, Runjeet Attached Images

8th February 2012, 12:32 PM	#2
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Hi Runjeet, I found a similar one (see pic) when searching for 'Ayda Katti' to try and find my chopper. It was actually from an old thread here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=9644 but I must say that I've seen these described as 'Ram Dao' type sacrificial axes variously attributed to Nepal or India for small creatures and of all things doves! I have no idea if thats correct or not. Attached Images

8th February 2012, 08:40 PM	#3
Runjeet Singh Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Warwickshire, England Posts: 150	Hi Atlantia, Thanks for your reply. Yes, the one you show in the image seems to be a relative! I notice in attempting to identify the one you have pictured 'Vandoo' suggests Indo-China. I'm sure there is a piece of the jigsaw missing, and it will all click into place. I would be more inclined to say the one you picture is Indian, but the one I have just doesn't 'feel' Indian. If that makes sense! Kind Regards, Runjeet

8th February 2012, 09:41 PM	#4
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Hi Runjeet, Is the blade flat on the other side? If so it's 'sort of' similar to the 'chopper' version of the Wedung from Bali (area). http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=wedung But I've only seen ones with the familiar flamboyant blades.

8th February 2012, 09:53 PM	#5
Runjeet Singh Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Warwickshire, England Posts: 150	Yeah I can see the resemblance. The problem is a lot of Indo-Persian / SE Asian weapons share similarities, it makes our job very difficult! The blade is identical on both sides. Thanks again for your help. BTW Gav's photos in that link are stunning! Runjeet

9th February 2012, 12:30 AM	#7
Runjeet Singh Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Warwickshire, England Posts: 150	Thanks for all your help Gene, Runjeet