Sri-Lankan (Ceylon) Knife

David · 13th May 2016, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miguel

Hi Vandoo,

Thanks for the info, I will do a searh as you suggest and possibly learn a lot more about this decorative weapon.
Regards
Miguel

AFAIK these are not used as "weapons".

Miguel · 16th May 2016, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

AFAIK these are not used as "weapons".

Hi David,
Thanks for your reply. I really don't know much about these knives but since I posted this thread I have been looking at old threads and it would appear that they were used for many things from scribes knives to fighting knives depending on their shape and size so I feel justified in referring to them as weapons.
Regards
Miguel

David · 16th May 2016, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miguel

Thanks for your reply. I really don't know much about these knives but since I posted this thread I have been looking at old threads and it would appear that they were used for many things from scribes knives to fighting knives depending on their shape and size so I feel justified in referring to them as weapons.

Hi Miguel. I have never seen any supportable evidence that these were ever used as fighting knives. People "say" a lot of things, but i would love to see something that backs up such a claim. If you have some it would be great to see and add to our understanding of these extremely beautiful knives.

ariel · 16th May 2016, 09:56 PM

David,
I agree with you.
But they were not ceremonial either. The one shown by Bandook and labeled as such had been repeatedly and vigorously sharpened, to the point its middle part became visibly concave: a sign of heavy and prolonged use.

My guess, they were utility knives.

A. G. Maisey · 16th May 2016, 11:04 PM

I recall reading what appeared to be some very informed commentary on piha kaetta. I can't remember all the details, but it went something along the lines of these being made in workshops under the aegis of rulers, and that their primary function was as a 'badge of rank' knife.

They also come with a stylus for writing on lontar (palm leaves) and were an accoutrement of educated men.

I feel that what I half recall may have been in this Forum, but a quick google of piha kaetta seems to indicate that there is a site devoted to them hanging around somewhere. Maybe somebody with time to spare might care to dig for it.

Bob A · 16th May 2016, 11:15 PM

While I can't contribute any real information regarding the use of these knives, they are attractive examples of the metal-worker's art. The OP is the first time I've seen a sheath for one of these, and it too is an attractive piece of work. Given the general level of artisanal talent involved, I can easily see them as badge-of-rank items. What little I've read of them suggests the blade steel might not rise to the same level of quality as the rest of the implement, but that is merely hearsay (read-say?).

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 18th May 2016, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob A

While I can't contribute any real information regarding the use of these knives, they are attractive examples of the metal-worker's art. The OP is the first time I've seen a sheath for one of these, and it too is an attractive piece of work. Given the general level of artisanal talent involved, I can easily see them as badge-of-rank items. What little I've read of them suggests the blade steel might not rise to the same level of quality as the rest of the implement, but that is merely hearsay (read-say?).

The answer is in there somewhere ...I believe as part of the ceremonial and part the badge of office according to reports I have seen in such publications as seen at https://www.google.com/search?q=Piha...r-2aq1t1cfM%3A and particularly at michaelbackmans antiques pages.

See also http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O4...fe-and-sheath/

See also http://www.michaelbackmanltd.com/3133.html

The question is..were these ever fighting knives... ?

Miguel · 21st May 2016, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

Hi Miguel. I have never seen any supportable evidence that these were ever used as fighting knives. People "say" a lot of things, but i would love to see something that backs up such a claim. If you have some it would be great to see and add to our understanding of these extremely beautiful knives.

Hi David,

I have to agree with you re supportable evidence as there is not much supportable evidence available about these knives apart from where they came from , shapes, sizes and decoration. From my own resources only Stone and Elgood can be regarded as reliable and neither of these make mention of them being used as weapons, Despite this lack of evidence I just cannot believe that it wasn't as no matter where you search for knives from Sri Lanka or Ceylon it seems the only image and descriptions that you are presented with are of the knives under discussion, in fact it seems to be the only knife you can find and this is why believe it to be a weapon.
I must apologise for my delay in reply but my computer has packed up again and the system will not let me reply from my iPad so I have borrowed one while the repair shop diagnoses the fault(s).
Regards
Miguel

16th May 2016, 09:56 PM	#4
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	David, I agree with you. But they were not ceremonial either. The one shown by Bandook and labeled as such had been repeatedly and vigorously sharpened, to the point its middle part became visibly concave: a sign of heavy and prolonged use. My guess, they were utility knives.

16th May 2016, 11:04 PM	#5
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,015	I recall reading what appeared to be some very informed commentary on piha kaetta. I can't remember all the details, but it went something along the lines of these being made in workshops under the aegis of rulers, and that their primary function was as a 'badge of rank' knife. They also come with a stylus for writing on lontar (palm leaves) and were an accoutrement of educated men. I feel that what I half recall may have been in this Forum, but a quick google of piha kaetta seems to indicate that there is a site devoted to them hanging around somewhere. Maybe somebody with time to spare might care to dig for it.

16th May 2016, 11:15 PM	#6
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 436	While I can't contribute any real information regarding the use of these knives, they are attractive examples of the metal-worker's art. The OP is the first time I've seen a sheath for one of these, and it too is an attractive piece of work. Given the general level of artisanal talent involved, I can easily see them as badge-of-rank items. What little I've read of them suggests the blade steel might not rise to the same level of quality as the rest of the implement, but that is merely hearsay (read-say?).