Ethnographic folding knives

Sajen · 17th January 2019, 09:33 AM

And what many people don't may know, in Germany/Solingen were produced in old times balisongs. It's not mine, they are forbidden in Germany since 2003 because teenager were playing with them in public and older people were afraid by this. It's a Henry Kaufmann. Early 20th century until middle 20th century would be my age guess.

Hombre · 27th August 2019, 11:39 AM

Sajen wrote: "Want to keep this most interesting thread alive!"
Me too!

I have most newly made knives of this category but here are some of my vintage ones.... Sorry for the bad picture!

Best,
Stefan
Sweden

ausjulius · 3rd September 2019, 03:04 PM

some russian prison made knvies being sold. prices are... fantastic for such things.. but they are many examples..

RobT · 18th September 2019, 11:57 PM

Hi All,

Would anyone like to hazard a guess as to the origin of this little folding knife. Overall the knife measures about 5.625" (about 14.25cm). There is no lock. The knife is opened and held open by the little loop at the back of the blade. The cutting edge is on the incurve. The little indentations near the spine apparently serve as a nail nick. The hilt is entirely brass and is composed of five pieces. The body of the hilt is a single piece of brass that has been folded to contain the blade. That fold continues all the way along the loop at the back of the hilt. There are two circular bosses on either side of the hilt body and the pivot pin runs through them. This knife is for light duty only. The Asian version of a pen knife perhaps?

Sincerely,
RobT

Martin Lubojacky · 19th September 2019, 08:34 PM

Not my field, but - I was told in China they used simillar (concave) knives for tonsure. But it could be any country from Iran to the east (?)

fernando · 19th September 2019, 08:54 PM

A rather cute piece, it is

.

RobT · 20th September 2019, 02:36 AM

Martin,
Thanks for the response. I did two searches. In the first search (Chinese tonsure knife), everything I saw was pretty straight or electric. With the second search (antique tonsure knife) I did find a very nice antique tonsure scissor and knife set from Bangkok Thailand. The set was made for royalty and had a lot of gold on it. The knife was slightly back curved.

Fernando,
Thanks for the complement. I agree, it is very cute.

Sincerely,
RobT

17th January 2019, 09:33 AM	#1
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,164	And what many people don't may know, in Germany/Solingen were produced in old times balisongs. It's not mine, they are forbidden in Germany since 2003 because teenager were playing with them in public and older people were afraid by this. It's a Henry Kaufmann. Early 20th century until middle 20th century would be my age guess. Attached Images Last edited by Sajen; 17th January 2019 at 09:47 AM.

27th August 2019, 11:39 AM	#2
Hombre Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 232	Sajen wrote: "Want to keep this most interesting thread alive!" Me too! I have most newly made knives of this category but here are some of my vintage ones.... Sorry for the bad picture! Best, Stefan Sweden Attached Images

3rd September 2019, 03:04 PM	#3
ausjulius Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: musorian territory Posts: 438	some russian prison made knvies being sold. prices are... fantastic for such things.. but they are many examples.. Last edited by Rick; 19th September 2019 at 12:29 AM. Reason: commercial link

18th September 2019, 11:57 PM	#4
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 534	Unknown Folder Origin Hi All, Would anyone like to hazard a guess as to the origin of this little folding knife. Overall the knife measures about 5.625" (about 14.25cm). There is no lock. The knife is opened and held open by the little loop at the back of the blade. The cutting edge is on the incurve. The little indentations near the spine apparently serve as a nail nick. The hilt is entirely brass and is composed of five pieces. The body of the hilt is a single piece of brass that has been folded to contain the blade. That fold continues all the way along the loop at the back of the hilt. There are two circular bosses on either side of the hilt body and the pivot pin runs through them. This knife is for light duty only. The Asian version of a pen knife perhaps? Sincerely, RobT Attached Images

20th September 2019, 02:36 AM	#7
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 534	Tonsure Search Martin, Thanks for the response. I did two searches. In the first search (Chinese tonsure knife), everything I saw was pretty straight or electric. With the second search (antique tonsure knife) I did find a very nice antique tonsure scissor and knife set from Bangkok Thailand. The set was made for royalty and had a lot of gold on it. The knife was slightly back curved. Fernando, Thanks for the complement. I agree, it is very cute. Sincerely, RobT

19th September 2019, 08:34 PM	#5
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 843	Not my field, but - I was told in China they used simillar (concave) knives for tonsure. But it could be any country from Iran to the east (?)

19th September 2019, 08:54 PM	#6
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	A rather cute piece, it is .