An interesting blade from the Himalayan regions

[ddean]

Fresh made in China.
Bought from Ebay source.
Any info on history of this type of blade is welcome.
So far the best description I have is that the
basic blade/sheath design is a "hunting knife."

One the side of the blades shown, there is a very distinct fuller.
On the other side, there is only a -Very- shallow fuller.
To be more accurate, I have to add, I might describe the spine as thickened,
more on one side than the other, giving a mistaken impression of the depth of the fuller.
I believe this is a style rather than an error.
The back of the blades has a convex bevel from the fuller to the edge.
The front (shown) has a flat bevel from the fuller to the edge.

The dark material in the handle is horn.
The metal layers appear to be copper, brass, and steel(strongly magnetic).
The tang extends the length of the grip internally and is peened over at the end.
In addition to pinnings, there is also a 'lanyard hole' of brass tube.

Large blade 6.9 oz; Small blade 1.9 oz

The sheath is thinnish brass sheet over a drilled/carved out one-piece wood core.

 

[ddean]

I very much like the layered handle.

 

[Red]

The blade of the smaller one and the scabbard remind me of an eating trousse. The handles look modern and western influenced. I'm not an expert however and china has had lots of time to come up with all sorts of weapons and tools.

 

[ddean]

Here are a couple examples of 'old' blades of similar style.
"Tibetan Rice Knife"

 

[ddean]

And, "Himalaysian Dagger"

 

[Red]

I see what you mean in overall shape, however they still look like they have a lot of western elements to me.

 

[ddean]

Originally posted by Red
I see what you mean in overall shape, however they still look like they have a lot of western elements to me.

I don't know.
What do you see as Western elements?
My own exposure is too limited.
What I've put in the thread is the limit of my knowledge.
I like the knives and want to find some more info.

Although I've had them since May'03 I haven't yet
tried to etch them to check for zone hardening.
But, the edge of the larger knife is hard enough to shave
metal from the spine of a Bura Sirupati 20".
And the siru cannot shave the spine of the other knife.
So I'm guessing through-hardened very hard.
Probably too hard for chopping and prying, but
maybe appropriate for the intended use.

 

[Red]

I was tinking that the different layers of colered hilt pieces seemed western and modern.
This is what I mean by an eating trouse

http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/OA/items/000542.html

I think your identification of the knife is good but check out the scabbard.

 

[ddean]

Originally posted by Red .......This is what I mean by an eating trouse...... check out the scabbard.

I see what you mean about the scabbard design.
And I have two different eating trousse(s)that share those basic design elements.
I suspect both of mine are tourist pieces, but the design
elements are probably traditional.
Maybe these elements are regional rather than related to a specific blade.

I'll be interested to see what comments come in tomorrow
while the locals await the feeding frenzy.

Here is a pair of knives from the same site as your trousse.
Identified as Chinese. Some similarities.

And "Chinese knife"

 

[ddean]

Can anyone else help ID this style?

Is there a traditional precedent for this laminated handle?

Anything else?

 

[PZ93C]

I don't have any input.... just that those are cool. Any pics tucked in the scabbard? Does the scabbard have a cap like the eaters? OAL on this thing? You put weights but no length. That's just too cool. I see why you bought it. It sings to you too. Made in China or not.

Brian

 

[ddean]

"Any pics tucked in the scabbard?"

? Accessories? No.

"Does the scabbard have a cap like the eaters?"

? Cap? I don't think so.

" OAL on this thing?"

The pair measures 6.5" & 9.3"
That's a quarter in one of the pix (measures a hair under one inch).

BTW, fit & finish A-,B+. Sheath a notch or two below blade.
[edit: that's considering blade as user,
as show item--B. Blade could be polished up better.]

Here's more pix while they last, more info too.

One most similar to my version:
(Each set varies a bit)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=20272&item=2181151730

And some other versions he sells:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=20272&item=2181151647

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=20272&item=2181151582

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=20272&item=2181151851

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=20272&item=2183614951

 

[PZ93C]

Thanks Dean. He's a seller to watch.

Brian