Tibetan Knife?

Rich · 27th August 2020, 01:19 PM

I have two similar knives. Labeled them as Tibetan, know they could be Nepal or Bhutan. I think (?) the wood handled one is possibly older. Any more info appreciated. (My photo editing software is primitive-sorry). Rich

kronckew · 27th August 2020, 05:22 PM

I've been told many moons ago that the social group that makes these overlaps the borders and sells them to traders to/from both nations. The Bhutanese tend to like the one with dragon motifs on the scabbards, and the Tibetans prefer geometric and floral patterns, but that is not definitive.

My Bhutanese (probably) Dossum:

Gonzoadler · 27th August 2020, 10:24 PM

I have one, too. The blade is double edged and damascened. The material of the scabbard and the handle is probably tombac.
Is it more likely that the dagger is from Bhutan because of the dragon?

kronckew · 28th August 2020, 02:04 PM

Probably. Double edged is a bit unusual.hairpin lamination is fairly common in the area in older blades especially. The dragon is the National symbol of Bhutan.

The Bhutanese Flag is below

The king carries a much larger single edged sword version, called a patag, or patang. He carries it on his right side as a symbol of his rank. (see below)

Kmaddock · 28th August 2020, 04:46 PM

Hi Gonzoadler,

The ferrule in your blade look like they were milled out which strikes me as being a bit unusual , handle nearly identical to how mine was.

Regards

Ken

kronckew · 28th August 2020, 05:14 PM

To me they look like the grip has formed sheet sections soldered, they have seams and even a small blob of solder is visible. The ferrule has a distinct seam on the rear where the strip of metal was joined.

Gonzoadler · 28th August 2020, 08:55 PM

You are right kronckew, handle and scabbard are made of embossed and soldered tombac sheets. I know that the blade is a little unusual, but all fits together. Unfortunately I can't read the inscription.
Thanks for information, it is interesting.

27th August 2020, 01:19 PM	#1
Rich Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: comfortably at home, USA Posts: 432	I have two similar knives. Labeled them as Tibetan, know they could be Nepal or Bhutan. I think (?) the wood handled one is possibly older. Any more info appreciated. (My photo editing software is primitive-sorry). Rich Attached Images Last edited by Rich; 27th August 2020 at 02:28 PM.

27th August 2020, 05:22 PM	#2
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,224	I've been told many moons ago that the social group that makes these overlaps the borders and sells them to traders to/from both nations. The Bhutanese tend to like the one with dragon motifs on the scabbards, and the Tibetans prefer geometric and floral patterns, but that is not definitive. My Bhutanese (probably) Dossum: Attached Images

27th August 2020, 10:24 PM	#3
Gonzoadler Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Germany Posts: 255	I have one, too. The blade is double edged and damascened. The material of the scabbard and the handle is probably tombac. Is it more likely that the dagger is from Bhutan because of the dragon? Attached Images

28th August 2020, 02:04 PM	#4
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,224	Probably. Double edged is a bit unusual.hairpin lamination is fairly common in the area in older blades especially. The dragon is the National symbol of Bhutan. The Bhutanese Flag is below The king carries a much larger single edged sword version, called a patag, or patang. He carries it on his right side as a symbol of his rank. (see below) Attached Images Last edited by kronckew; 28th August 2020 at 02:21 PM.

28th August 2020, 04:46 PM	#5
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 543	Hi Gonzoadler, The ferrule in your blade look like they were milled out which strikes me as being a bit unusual , handle nearly identical to how mine was. Regards Ken

28th August 2020, 05:14 PM	#6
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,224	To me they look like the grip has formed sheet sections soldered, they have seams and even a small blob of solder is visible. The ferrule has a distinct seam on the rear where the strip of metal was joined.

28th August 2020, 08:55 PM	#7
Gonzoadler Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Germany Posts: 255	You are right kronckew, handle and scabbard are made of embossed and soldered tombac sheets. I know that the blade is a little unusual, but all fits together. Unfortunately I can't read the inscription. Thanks for information, it is interesting.