[Ian]

Hi Guys:

I've been off the air for a few weeks for various technical and other reasons. Just getting back to the Forum today.

Andrew and kai are right. This is a tool/weapon of the Montagnard tribes that live along the border areas between Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. This weapon/tool seems to have been in use for quite some time, and is still being made.

Will post some additional pictures shortly.

Ian.

-------Picture added---------

Here is a picture from an old National Geographic article on teh Montagnard. It shows various knives, etc. including two mak on the left. The cutting edge is on the side where the "hook" protrudes (i.e., the concave edge).