Bamboo / Rattan / Utility Knife from SE Asia?

Lee · 18th April 2019, 06:20 PM

Findings of interesting ethnographic artifacts at the local gun show continue to diminish and I am sad to report that almost all that I did see was third rate and once aimed at the tourist.

But one table did have this interesting old tool that I am interpreting as being a utility knife commonly used for working with bamboo or rattan for a price that I could not resist.

The overall length is about 21 inches with the blade being just under 9½ inches long. The blade is sharp along the straighter edge and tapers from about 3/8 inch thickness at its origin to about 1/16 inch just before the tip. The handle appears to be bamboo or rattan and is hollow centrally with a thick wall.

Decoration is limited to shallow annular carvings on the handle. I do not believe that this suggests a weapon, as handmade tools often have limited decoration.

I tried holding it as Ian suggested in post 19 of an early thread and it made really good sense as the arm muscles could clearly do the bulk of the work. These were also discussed in a more recent thread

Does anyone have any idea of a more specific area of origin?

mross · 19th April 2019, 04:08 PM

Somewhat panabas like, which could bolster the argument they are agricultural tools.

Ian · 3rd May 2019, 02:32 AM

Hi Lee:

Nice example of the utility knife found in mainland SE Asia. Mainly used for cutting rattan, but also a general purpose knife. I've seen these in Thailand and Laos, and they are said to be used also in Burma, Cambodia, and perhaps Vietnam. There are slight regional differences, but all basically have the long handle and fat-bellied blade. I like this one for its age and decorations to the hilt.

Ian

18th April 2019, 06:20 PM	#1
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 913	Bamboo / Rattan / Utility Knife from SE Asia? Findings of interesting ethnographic artifacts at the local gun show continue to diminish and I am sad to report that almost all that I did see was third rate and once aimed at the tourist. But one table did have this interesting old tool that I am interpreting as being a utility knife commonly used for working with bamboo or rattan for a price that I could not resist. The overall length is about 21 inches with the blade being just under 9½ inches long. The blade is sharp along the straighter edge and tapers from about 3/8 inch thickness at its origin to about 1/16 inch just before the tip. The handle appears to be bamboo or rattan and is hollow centrally with a thick wall. Decoration is limited to shallow annular carvings on the handle. I do not believe that this suggests a weapon, as handmade tools often have limited decoration. I tried holding it as Ian suggested in post 19 of an early thread and it made really good sense as the arm muscles could clearly do the bulk of the work. These were also discussed in a more recent thread Does anyone have any idea of a more specific area of origin? Attached Images

19th April 2019, 04:08 PM	#2
mross Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 478	Somewhat panabas like, which could bolster the argument they are agricultural tools.

3rd May 2019, 02:32 AM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,198	Hi Lee: Nice example of the utility knife found in mainland SE Asia. Mainly used for cutting rattan, but also a general purpose knife. I've seen these in Thailand and Laos, and they are said to be used also in Burma, Cambodia, and perhaps Vietnam. There are slight regional differences, but all basically have the long handle and fat-bellied blade. I like this one for its age and decorations to the hilt. Ian