Contemporary Maldive islands knife?

Justin · 5th August 2005, 01:18 AM

Here is my lastest aquisition,when I first saw it on ebay,I wasnt quite sure what it was but after doing a little searching I realized that it was very similar to a knife posted by Vandoo in the old forum:

http://www.vikingsword.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000498.html

Definately not very old,probably 1960s-80s,maybe as old as WW2 but I doubt its any older.Sheath is all mop except for two thin strips of wood along the inside of either edge.Hilt is also mop with plated or polished steel and dark shell spacers.Handle scales look riveted on but the black dots are inlaid shell{I am assuming they are the same material as the spacers}.Blade was either mirror polished or plated but it looks like someone removed the polish/plating with rough sandpaper or some power tool.

Blade is 5.5in long,oa its:10.25in long.

VANDOO · 6th August 2005, 08:24 PM

CONGRADULATIONS YOU HAVE IDENTIFIED THE KNIFE CORRECTLY!
THE KNIVES ARE STILL MADE TO SELL TO TOURISTS WHO MOSTLY ARRIVE ON CRUISE SHIPS EVERY SO OFTEN. THAT HAS DRIVEN UP PRICES THERE ON SOME THINGS BUT IF IT WERN'T FOR THAT MARKET THESE WOULD PROBLY NO LONGER BE MADE. THEY COME IN SEVERAL SIZES , SOME ARE COVERED IN BITS OF PEARL OYSTER SHELL LIKE YOURS ,OTHERS ARE COVERED IN BITS OF BLACK CORAL. THE ORIGINALS ALWAYS HAVE A HANDLE CARVED FROM A LARGE SPERM WHALE TOOTH AND ARE STILL MADE BUT VERY EXPENSIVE EVEN FOR A NEWLY MADE ONE AND MUCH MORE FOR A OLD ONE. A INTERESTING KNIFE WHICH IS SELDOM SEEN.

Justin · 6th August 2005, 10:11 PM

Thanks,Vandoo,I have been looking for one since you posted that pic and even though its newly made Im very glad to find that it is indeed what I thought it was.

5th August 2005, 01:18 AM	#1
Justin Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 175	Contemporary Maldive islands knife? Here is my lastest aquisition,when I first saw it on ebay,I wasnt quite sure what it was but after doing a little searching I realized that it was very similar to a knife posted by Vandoo in the old forum: http://www.vikingsword.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000498.html Definately not very old,probably 1960s-80s,maybe as old as WW2 but I doubt its any older.Sheath is all mop except for two thin strips of wood along the inside of either edge.Hilt is also mop with plated or polished steel and dark shell spacers.Handle scales look riveted on but the black dots are inlaid shell{I am assuming they are the same material as the spacers}.Blade was either mirror polished or plated but it looks like someone removed the polish/plating with rough sandpaper or some power tool. Blade is 5.5in long,oa its:10.25in long. Attached Images

6th August 2005, 08:24 PM	#2
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	CONGRADULATIONS YOU HAVE IDENTIFIED THE KNIFE CORRECTLY! THE KNIVES ARE STILL MADE TO SELL TO TOURISTS WHO MOSTLY ARRIVE ON CRUISE SHIPS EVERY SO OFTEN. THAT HAS DRIVEN UP PRICES THERE ON SOME THINGS BUT IF IT WERN'T FOR THAT MARKET THESE WOULD PROBLY NO LONGER BE MADE. THEY COME IN SEVERAL SIZES , SOME ARE COVERED IN BITS OF PEARL OYSTER SHELL LIKE YOURS ,OTHERS ARE COVERED IN BITS OF BLACK CORAL. THE ORIGINALS ALWAYS HAVE A HANDLE CARVED FROM A LARGE SPERM WHALE TOOTH AND ARE STILL MADE BUT VERY EXPENSIVE EVEN FOR A NEWLY MADE ONE AND MUCH MORE FOR A OLD ONE. A INTERESTING KNIFE WHICH IS SELDOM SEEN.

6th August 2005, 10:11 PM	#3
Justin Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 175	Thanks,Vandoo,I have been looking for one since you posted that pic and even though its newly made Im very glad to find that it is indeed what I thought it was.