Show off your Chinese fighting knives :)

DaveA · 13th March 2012, 10:50 PM

Here is my contribution. A double knife "River Pirate" knife. The absence of a hand guard distinguishes the "river pirate" type from other hudiedao. The knives can be quickly reversed in the hand and used with the unsharpened back edge to subdue an opponent without lethal cuts. Both of these knives have very thick and stiff pattern-welded blades of a very distinctive form and quite a substantial strength, retaining sharp edges and showing considerable aged patina. These blades have thick wedge shaped blades with a broad waist and diamond shape near the hilt. The grips are old wood or possibly horn, and all brass mounts show heavy patina and wonderful multi-sided graining to the guards and pommels. The faceted heavy brass pommel provides the knives with excellent balance in the hand. The leather scabbard is whole but in relatively poor condition compared to the knives. The overall length of each knife is 14 ¼ inches and each blade is 10 ¼ inches. Both knives house in the scabbard measuring 14 ¾ inches.

Lew · 15th March 2012, 06:05 PM

Here is a narrow bladed knife/dagger from Yunnan with a 7 inch blade.

Timo Nieminen · 17th March 2012, 09:59 AM

The weather was not good for photography today, nor was my camera, but here is a pair of knives. About 4mm thick at the spine at the widest part of the blade. Wedge-section, tapered.

Also, a much bigger knife.

I have no details about their origins, other than they're Chinese.

Lew · 18th March 2012, 08:14 AM

Here are three nice examples that are no longer in my collection

. The two top ones are Chinese the smaller one is Vietnamese.

Neil · 19th March 2012, 08:26 PM

I think the stacked look on the guard of the most recent photos is interesting and something I have not seen on others. Although there are two sitting right next to each other. Unlike the octagonal pommel which is a commonly seen feature on Chinese weapons in general, is that guard presentation often seen by others.

Lew, do you have any back story or provenance on these two in particular.

I have also read somewhere that these forms of daggers were also made in San Fransisco in the mid to late 19th century. Are others familiar with this information. If so, can you elaborate on it.

Timo Nieminen · 19th March 2012, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

I have also read somewhere that these forms of daggers were also made in San Fransisco in the mid to late 19th century. Are others familiar with this information. If so, can you elaborate on it.

They were certainly used in San Francisco; they're a classic part of the weaponry of Chinese gangs of the area. Other weapons of note include butterfly swords, Japanese tanto, truncheons/clubs including cha/sai, cleavers, axes, and the occasional revolver.

The magic google search terms, which will find some contemporary illustrations (from scare journalism?), are "Highbinder weapons".

How much was made locally, I don't know.

Neil · 20th March 2012, 01:18 AM

Thanks for your comment. Although I should have been more specific. I believe I read they were made by American cutlers in San Fransisco for the Chinese-American market as well, although I can not remember their names. I will try to find the information.

Edited:
Oh, I found the old post and did not remember it properly. Appears to be less specific than I thought.

13th March 2012, 10:50 PM	#1
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 416	Chinese "River Pirate" knives Here is my contribution. A double knife "River Pirate" knife. The absence of a hand guard distinguishes the "river pirate" type from other hudiedao. The knives can be quickly reversed in the hand and used with the unsharpened back edge to subdue an opponent without lethal cuts. Both of these knives have very thick and stiff pattern-welded blades of a very distinctive form and quite a substantial strength, retaining sharp edges and showing considerable aged patina. These blades have thick wedge shaped blades with a broad waist and diamond shape near the hilt. The grips are old wood or possibly horn, and all brass mounts show heavy patina and wonderful multi-sided graining to the guards and pommels. The faceted heavy brass pommel provides the knives with excellent balance in the hand. The leather scabbard is whole but in relatively poor condition compared to the knives. The overall length of each knife is 14 ¼ inches and each blade is 10 ¼ inches. Both knives house in the scabbard measuring 14 ¾ inches. Attached Images

15th March 2012, 06:05 PM	#2
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Here is a narrow bladed knife/dagger from Yunnan with a 7 inch blade. Attached Images

17th March 2012, 09:59 AM	#3
Timo Nieminen Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 422	The weather was not good for photography today, nor was my camera, but here is a pair of knives. About 4mm thick at the spine at the widest part of the blade. Wedge-section, tapered. Also, a much bigger knife. I have no details about their origins, other than they're Chinese. Attached Images

18th March 2012, 08:14 AM	#4
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Here are three nice examples that are no longer in my collection . The two top ones are Chinese the smaller one is Vietnamese. Attached Images

20th March 2012, 01:18 AM	#7
Neil Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 114	Thanks for your comment. Although I should have been more specific. I believe I read they were made by American cutlers in San Fransisco for the Chinese-American market as well, although I can not remember their names. I will try to find the information. Edited: Oh, I found the old post and did not remember it properly. Appears to be less specific than I thought. Last edited by Neil; 20th March 2012 at 01:40 AM.

19th March 2012, 08:26 PM	#5
Neil Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 114	I think the stacked look on the guard of the most recent photos is interesting and something I have not seen on others. Although there are two sitting right next to each other. Unlike the octagonal pommel which is a commonly seen feature on Chinese weapons in general, is that guard presentation often seen by others. Lew, do you have any back story or provenance on these two in particular. I have also read somewhere that these forms of daggers were also made in San Fransisco in the mid to late 19th century. Are others familiar with this information. If so, can you elaborate on it.