And now for something completely different

Ron Anderson · 17th October 2010, 08:30 AM

I bought this on the weekend.

It's a folding knife with a guillotine which I believe is for betel nuts. It has white on part of the knife which is typical of betel nut utensils. I've never seen an item quite like this though.

It has a fair bit of rust, unfortunately. But its not irredeemable.

I'm not sure where it comes from - India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan/Afghanistan are the most likely candidates.

In some ways it reminds me of a Lohar pick from Afghanistan. But that may be entirely coincidental. The blade has two resting points – at a 90 degree angle, and straight at 180 degrees.

Does anybody have more of a clue as to where it hails from?

Ron Anderson · 17th October 2010, 09:19 AM

This isn't penknife size by the way. It's fairly hefty. Here's another photo to give you an idea of the size, and a close up of the brass inlay.

fernando · 17th October 2010, 01:38 PM

Quite unusual, both guillotine design and pocket knife blade !
Possibly Indian?
You don't see anything similar in "BETEL CUTERS" by Henry Brownrigg.
Is it my eyes or there are two initials on the handle?

-

Sajen · 17th October 2010, 04:23 PM

I would guess that it is indeed Indian but I also never have seen something similar until now. But it is certain a betel cutter. My guess is the north of India, maybe Rajasthan.

Ron Anderson · 17th October 2010, 11:33 PM

Thanks Fernando and Sajen

Fernando, no that's not a signature. There's a fair bit of rust on that side and the brass inlay pattern has been broken up there,making it look perhaps like initials.

I'm sure India is correct, and I suspect it's pretty old.

It might even be described as "Indo-Persian". It may not show in the books because it's not strictly speaking a weapon.

It's a nice little oddity.

17th October 2010, 08:30 AM	#1
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	And now for something completely different I bought this on the weekend. It's a folding knife with a guillotine which I believe is for betel nuts. It has white on part of the knife which is typical of betel nut utensils. I've never seen an item quite like this though. It has a fair bit of rust, unfortunately. But its not irredeemable. I'm not sure where it comes from - India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan/Afghanistan are the most likely candidates. In some ways it reminds me of a Lohar pick from Afghanistan. But that may be entirely coincidental. The blade has two resting points – at a 90 degree angle, and straight at 180 degrees. Does anybody have more of a clue as to where it hails from? Attached Images

17th October 2010, 09:19 AM	#2
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	This isn't penknife size by the way. It's fairly hefty. Here's another photo to give you an idea of the size, and a close up of the brass inlay. Attached Images

17th October 2010, 01:38 PM	#3
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Quite unusual, both guillotine design and pocket knife blade ! Possibly Indian? You don't see anything similar in "BETEL CUTERS" by Henry Brownrigg. Is it my eyes or there are two initials on the handle? - Attached Images

17th October 2010, 04:23 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,770	I would guess that it is indeed Indian but I also never have seen something similar until now. But it is certain a betel cutter. My guess is the north of India, maybe Rajasthan.

17th October 2010, 11:33 PM	#5
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	Thanks Fernando and Sajen Fernando, no that's not a signature. There's a fair bit of rust on that side and the brass inlay pattern has been broken up there,making it look perhaps like initials. I'm sure India is correct, and I suspect it's pretty old. It might even be described as "Indo-Persian". It may not show in the books because it's not strictly speaking a weapon. It's a nice little oddity.