Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Ian · 20th September 2006, 05:29 PM

I think the "woman's knife" attribution may be more a Western perception for knives that are for utility purposes and used by both men and women, as distinct from knives that would be considered mainly as weapons and used mainly by men.

In the southern areas of the Philippines, and perhaps elsewhere as well, women also carried weapons and knew how to use them in defence of their homes and people. So in that regard, a "woman's knife" is not necessarily a derogatory or dismissive term within the original culture.

Ian.

20th September 2006, 05:29 PM	#10
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,361	I think the "woman's knife" attribution may be more a Western perception for knives that are for utility purposes and used by both men and women, as distinct from knives that would be considered mainly as weapons and used mainly by men. In the southern areas of the Philippines, and perhaps elsewhere as well, women also carried weapons and knew how to use them in defence of their homes and people. So in that regard, a "woman's knife" is not necessarily a derogatory or dismissive term within the original culture. Ian.