Unknown Small Ring-Pommeled Knife

laEspadaAncha · 15th February 2012, 08:53 PM

I picked this little sticker last week from a collection of predominantly SEA edged weapons. One piece of metal measuring only about 9 inches in total length; the blade accounts for about half of that.

Wedge-shaped/triangular cross section with a flat 'grind,' with a rather thick spine (about 7mm) for its size.

I'm familiar with the small, curved ring-pommeled knives shown in Zonneveld, but this doesn't seem to resemble it. The blade has a 'feel' that suggests the (northern?) Philippines to me, but again, I haven't seen one similar.

Any ideas?

KuKulzA28 · 15th February 2012, 10:07 PM

My gut feeling is Chinese. The diamond wedge shape and leaf shapes were common for their daggers, and ring pommels were very widespread in the world of Chinese blades. Also many were wrapped in cloth/grip of some sort.

Other fighting knives of southern China, including butterfly swords or baat jam do, have that wedge like blade with a thick spine...

Maybe it is from southern China and found its way somehow into the collection... or maybe a Chinese-descent Hokkien or Hakka person in SE Asia, such as Sumatra, Java, Thailand, or Philippines carried a knife from their own ethnic group for protection..

Battara · 16th February 2012, 12:22 AM

I agree this does not have a Philippine feel or look to it but I have seen more things like this in Chinese pieces.

laEspadaAncha · 16th February 2012, 06:29 PM

Thanks guys... Something about a slight undulation in the blade (on the reverse IIRC) reminded me of PI... maybe I just haven't seen enough Chinese blades to see the resemblance.

The ring pommel seems about right for inserting a finger (though mine are admittedly a little too snug). I wonder if this was its intended purpose - to assist in providing a secure purchase?

I was hoping others might also have seen something - any characteristic - that rings familiar?

josh stout · 17th February 2012, 02:17 AM

I have seen a very similar Chinese throwing knife with the same ring pommel and general construction, but with two edges. You put a red cloth through the ring, and it works like a dart.
Josh

laEspadaAncha · 17th February 2012, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by josh stout

I have seen a very similar Chinese throwing knife with the same ring pommel and general construction, but with two edges. You put a red cloth through the ring, and it works like a dart.
Josh

Interesting... and good catch. Thanks, Josh.

Found here: http://forum.grtc.org/viewtopic.php?t=179

Andrew · 17th February 2012, 04:14 PM

Chinese. I bet it was originally a longer blade.

laEspadaAncha · 18th February 2012, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew

Chinese. I bet it was originally a longer blade.

Do you think the blade had a different profile as well, or do you think it was the same shape but only longer?

David R · 19th February 2012, 10:37 PM

It might be Japanese, and an example of a throwing dagger of the above name.

laEspadaAncha · 20th February 2012, 12:40 AM

Hi David,

Thanks for that... I never would have considered Japan, but a little hunting returned plenty of examples a similarly-formed Japanese throwing knife: the Kunai.

nalan1978 · 20th February 2012, 05:18 AM

Chinese FeiDao

Darts

15th February 2012, 08:53 PM	#1
laEspadaAncha Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 608	Unknown Small Ring-Pommeled Knife I picked this little sticker last week from a collection of predominantly SEA edged weapons. One piece of metal measuring only about 9 inches in total length; the blade accounts for about half of that. Wedge-shaped/triangular cross section with a flat 'grind,' with a rather thick spine (about 7mm) for its size. I'm familiar with the small, curved ring-pommeled knives shown in Zonneveld, but this doesn't seem to resemble it. The blade has a 'feel' that suggests the (northern?) Philippines to me, but again, I haven't seen one similar. Any ideas? Attached Images

19th February 2012, 10:37 PM	#9
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,079	Kunai. It might be Japanese, and an example of a throwing dagger of the above name.

15th February 2012, 10:07 PM	#2
KuKulzA28 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: between work and sleep Posts: 731	My gut feeling is Chinese. The diamond wedge shape and leaf shapes were common for their daggers, and ring pommels were very widespread in the world of Chinese blades. Also many were wrapped in cloth/grip of some sort. Other fighting knives of southern China, including butterfly swords or baat jam do, have that wedge like blade with a thick spine... Maybe it is from southern China and found its way somehow into the collection... or maybe a Chinese-descent Hokkien or Hakka person in SE Asia, such as Sumatra, Java, Thailand, or Philippines carried a knife from their own ethnic group for protection..

16th February 2012, 12:22 AM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,226	I agree this does not have a Philippine feel or look to it but I have seen more things like this in Chinese pieces.

16th February 2012, 06:29 PM	#4
laEspadaAncha Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 608	Thanks guys... Something about a slight undulation in the blade (on the reverse IIRC) reminded me of PI... maybe I just haven't seen enough Chinese blades to see the resemblance. The ring pommel seems about right for inserting a finger (though mine are admittedly a little too snug). I wonder if this was its intended purpose - to assist in providing a secure purchase? I was hoping others might also have seen something - any characteristic - that rings familiar?

17th February 2012, 02:17 AM	#5
josh stout Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 407	I have seen a very similar Chinese throwing knife with the same ring pommel and general construction, but with two edges. You put a red cloth through the ring, and it works like a dart. Josh

17th February 2012, 04:14 PM	#7
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Chinese. I bet it was originally a longer blade.

20th February 2012, 12:40 AM	#10
laEspadaAncha Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 608	Hi David, Thanks for that... I never would have considered Japan, but a little hunting returned plenty of examples a similarly-formed Japanese throwing knife: the Kunai.

20th February 2012, 05:18 AM	#11
nalan1978 Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 19	Chinese FeiDao Darts