Ethnographic Kitchen Knives??

Nathaniel · 22nd August 2009, 10:00 PM

Very nice Rick, where is it from?

Jason Anstey · 23rd August 2009, 04:27 AM

Hi Nathaniel

I sent you a PM but your box is full.

Cheers

Jason

Rick · 23rd August 2009, 02:23 PM

Hi Nathaniel , this knife is from rural Java .
It is displayed on a 8x11 sheet of paper .
Very sharp, feels good in the hand .
The 'pamor' in this case seems to be just layers on a core; doubtful there is any esoteric intent .

A. G. Maisey · 24th August 2009, 06:45 AM

Single knife is Japanese overall length 8.25".

Group of knives Jawa and Bali, key for comparison.

All knives in current everyday use.

Tim Simmons · 24th August 2009, 09:21 AM

Banks Island, Vanuatu, 54cm long. This is an eating knife rather than a kitchen knife. Probably for cutting and dividing prepared food and bring food to the mouth. Heavy foodstuff would be cut with larger bamboo knives even able to cut flesh.

ariel · 24th August 2009, 10:35 AM

Come to think of it, Persian Kards, with their wootz blades and precious handles, are nothing but eating implements. They are mechanically not good for anything else.

migueldiaz · 24th August 2009, 02:14 PM

Below are examples from the Filipino Bajau Laut [pronounced bah-JOU (as in joust) LAH-oot], who live in southernmost Philippines (adjacent to Sabah/ Borneo, Malaysia).

Sorry for the poor quality of the pics. It's a cellphone camera I used. The items are displayed at the Phil. National Museum.

The wooden knife says "spatula" on the label. The other item is labeled "axe", or "palakul" in the native tongue.

Note how these folks can't help but make even everyday items very ornate ...

24th August 2009, 06:45 AM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,015	Single knife is Japanese overall length 8.25". Group of knives Jawa and Bali, key for comparison. All knives in current everyday use. Attached Images

24th August 2009, 09:21 AM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,854	Banks Island, Vanuatu, 54cm long. This is an eating knife rather than a kitchen knife. Probably for cutting and dividing prepared food and bring food to the mouth. Heavy foodstuff would be cut with larger bamboo knives even able to cut flesh. Attached Images

24th August 2009, 02:14 PM	#7
migueldiaz Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Manila, Phils. Posts: 1,042	Below are examples from the Filipino Bajau Laut [pronounced bah-JOU (as in joust) LAH-oot], who live in southernmost Philippines (adjacent to Sabah/ Borneo, Malaysia). Sorry for the poor quality of the pics. It's a cellphone camera I used. The items are displayed at the Phil. National Museum. The wooden knife says "spatula" on the label. The other item is labeled "axe", or "palakul" in the native tongue. Note how these folks can't help but make even everyday items very ornate ... Attached Images

22nd August 2009, 10:00 PM	#1
Nathaniel Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 865	Very nice Rick, where is it from?

23rd August 2009, 04:27 AM	#2
Jason Anstey Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 102	Hi Nathaniel I sent you a PM but your box is full. Cheers Jason

23rd August 2009, 02:23 PM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	Hi Nathaniel , this knife is from rural Java . It is displayed on a 8x11 sheet of paper . Very sharp, feels good in the hand . The 'pamor' in this case seems to be just layers on a core; doubtful there is any esoteric intent .

24th August 2009, 10:35 AM	#6
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Come to think of it, Persian Kards, with their wootz blades and precious handles, are nothing but eating implements. They are mechanically not good for anything else.