Sickle Knife, India ???

[Robert]

Just picked this up and would like to know if it is a weapon or farm tool. Measuring from the end of the hilt in a straight line it is 13-1/2 inches tall. I do not have it in my possession yet but here are a few of the auction pictures. It definitely looks to be hand forged and not recently made, at least to me. Any and all help on this as to age, use and where it is from would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Robert

[spiral]

Somwhere from Nepal to the south east asian Archpeligo, Id guess.

Spiral

[Robert]

Hello Spiral, and thank you very much for the information for where this might have been made. Now if only someone can help me on who it was that might have made it, whether or not it is a tool or a weapon and give me an idea of when it might have been made I would be more than grateful. Thank you again for your help.

Regards,
Robert

[kronckew]

nepali hasiya - a fancy one.


ubiquitous farm sickle used all over nepal, usually in a wood carrier block with a string baldric, blade partially exposed. like filipino bolos, not designed as a weapon, but as an everyday farm tool. also, like a filipino farmer's bolo, i wouldn't want to tackle a person with one who has used it every day of his life for just about everything.

a less fancy one with block & baldric.

[Berkley]

Hasiyas in Nepal, showing the wide range of sizes and shapes as well as customary uses and carry:

[spiral]

I find it usefull to remember with kukri, That They occur through a broad range... Nepal,India, Burma at the very least.

Id Say thats the same with Himalayen Sickles.

Spiral

[Blacksmith]

Hello, Anthony Tirri, in his book "Islamic Weapons", says that these sickle style knives are from Malaysia region and are called `ARIT`( page 412, figure 290 A).
Though I bought almost a similar one you have from South- India ( Kerala) and seller said that it is a farming tool ( sickle).

Hope this will help.
Regards, Timo

[Robert]

Hello everyone and thank you all very much for your help in identifying where this is from. Timo, is there any way that you could post a picture of the example that you have for comparison? With the blade looking to be very heavy and thick I thought that it could very easily be used as a weapon. The ones that are normally seen here in the states have very thin blades and though they could also very easily be used as a weapon they would certainly not be my first choice if having to use a farm tool. Again my thanks to all who have responded to my questions and I will post new pictures after this has arrived and I have had a chance to do a little cleaning on it. Would anyone like to make an estimate on the age of this item?

Regards,
Robert

[Blacksmith]

Hi, I gave mine to my brother but I`ll ask him to take some pictures and send them to me. I think that late 1800/beginning of the 1900. I also wondered the thicknes of the spine,
its more like tool to clear up bushes etc.
Regards, Timo

[kahnjar1]

Hi Robert,
Not my area of expertise but there is an Indian knife called a BANK which is of sickle shape.
Regards Stuart

[kai]

Hello Stuart,

Not my area of expertise but there is an Indian knife called a BANK which is of sickle shape.

That's another animal: smaller blade and with a tighter arc. Can't remember seeing roughly finished examples of these, too.

Regards,
Kai

[kai]

Hello Robert,

An interesting one again!

With the blade looking to be very heavy and thick I thought that it could very easily be used as a weapon. The ones that are normally seen here in the states have very thin blades and though they could also very easily be used as a weapon they would certainly not be my first choice if having to use a farm tool.

Yeah, that decoration at the base looks pretty heavy for routine agricultural use - maybe a ceremonial example?

Would anyone like to make an estimate on the age of this item?

Difficult without established origin and no pieces to compare it with. From what I can see on the pics (workmanship and estimated patina), I'd guess at 20th century. However, village quality pieces are notoriously difficult to place...

Regards,
Kai

[Robert]

Hello Kai and thank you very much for your thoughts on this item. I hope that Timo can get his brother to send pictures of his example to post for comparison with mine. Your estimate of age is greatly appreciated but could you be a bit more exacting on when it might have been made, 1st, 2nd or 3rd quarter of the twentieth century? Again my thanks to everyone for their help on this.

Regards,
Robert

[Robert]

Well this showed up in the mail today so here are a few new photos. I'm not sure if they are any improvement over the originals though. The blade is slightly over 1/4 inch thick where it meets the decorative piece. This is definitely a hand forged piece complete with plenty of hammer marks up and down the blade. I agree with Kai and believe this to be a ceremonial item. Any comments and opinions on this would be very welcome.

Regards,
Robert

[kai]

Hello Timo,

Anthony Tirri, in his book "Islamic Weapons", says that these sickle style knives are from Malaysia region and are called `ARIT`( page 412, figure 290 A).

This is not an arit and likely not from the SEA archipelago - I'd guess at India and neighboring regions.

Though I bought almost a similar one you have from South- India ( Kerala) and seller said that it is a farming tool ( sickle).

Would love to see that, too!

Regards,
Kai