A Whatzit / A Little OT

Rick · 13th August 2005, 04:37 PM

Brought to me by one of my yard sale amigos .
He was told it's a tobacco knife .
The front edge and bottom edge are sharpened .
The blade is 1/16" thick , no taper .

So whatzit ?

Jeff D · 13th August 2005, 05:23 PM

Hi Rick,

I think it is a cane knife. but who says it can't be used for tobacco?
http://www.cutsforthknives.com/item-...1-01&storeid=1

Jeff

Rick · 13th August 2005, 05:52 PM

Thanks Jeff !

Shame on me ; a rum drinker .

Tim Simmons · 13th August 2005, 05:56 PM

There is a British? military issue machete that was used in West Africa almost identical to this, the ones I have seen have not had the projection at the end of the blade but that alone does not mean much as one years version may vary from the next especially if made at a different factory. The handle constrution on your example is typical of issue type knives. I shall see if I can find a picture of the issue machete, somebody must have a picture. Pictures of Africanised ones can be seen in C Springs- British Museum Publication- African Arms and Armour. Tim

M ELEY · 14th August 2005, 05:04 AM

These patterns go back to American colonial times and were 'camp knives' used to clear away brush. See Neumann's "Swords and blades of the American Revolution" for very similar pieces. I've heard them called 'fascines', which is odd, as this word means literally "bundle of sticks", perhaps after their use. I have seen later 19th century British camp knives such as this, as well as a similar(but not exact) type used throughout the old Spanish colonies and independent Mexico (like a cross between this piece, an espada ancha and a machete). In any case, they are kinda cool in their general shape. I'd like to get an old Rev War version one of these days...

13th August 2005, 04:37 PM	#1
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	A Whatzit / A Little OT Brought to me by one of my yard sale amigos . He was told it's a tobacco knife . The front edge and bottom edge are sharpened . The blade is 1/16" thick , no taper . So whatzit ? Attached Images

13th August 2005, 05:23 PM	#2
Jeff D Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 473	Hi Rick, I think it is a cane knife. but who says it can't be used for tobacco? http://www.cutsforthknives.com/item-...1-01&storeid=1 Jeff

13th August 2005, 05:52 PM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	Thanks Jeff ! Shame on me ; a rum drinker .

13th August 2005, 05:56 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	There is a British? military issue machete that was used in West Africa almost identical to this, the ones I have seen have not had the projection at the end of the blade but that alone does not mean much as one years version may vary from the next especially if made at a different factory. The handle constrution on your example is typical of issue type knives. I shall see if I can find a picture of the issue machete, somebody must have a picture. Pictures of Africanised ones can be seen in C Springs- British Museum Publication- African Arms and Armour. Tim

14th August 2005, 05:04 AM	#5
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,097	These patterns go back to American colonial times and were 'camp knives' used to clear away brush. See Neumann's "Swords and blades of the American Revolution" for very similar pieces. I've heard them called 'fascines', which is odd, as this word means literally "bundle of sticks", perhaps after their use. I have seen later 19th century British camp knives such as this, as well as a similar(but not exact) type used throughout the old Spanish colonies and independent Mexico (like a cross between this piece, an espada ancha and a machete). In any case, they are kinda cool in their general shape. I'd like to get an old Rev War version one of these days...