Show off your Chinese fighting knives :)

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.

Lew · 20th March 2012, 01:45 AM

You should google old knife makers of San Francisco Will &Finck made versions of this type of Chinese Bowie knife. This photo is from my old copy of the book.

15th March 2012, 06:05 PM	#1
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	#2
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	#3
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	#6
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.

20th March 2012, 01:45 AM	#7
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	You should google old knife makers of San Francisco Will &Finck made versions of this type of Chinese Bowie knife. This photo is from my old copy of the book. Attached Images Last edited by Lew; 20th March 2012 at 02:04 AM.

19th March 2012, 08:26 PM	#4
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.