Any info on traditional knives from around the world?

[Frostyfingers]

Hey folks.

I know this subforum focuses a lot on traditional American/British patterns, but does anyone know how to get ahold of information about traditional knives from around the world? Perhaps a website or book I could look into?

Thanks,

Frosty

 

[Blues]

If you can get a copy of "Levine's Guide" (4th edition) you'll have a great resource for ready reference. Not exhaustive on the range of patterns from around the world but excellent nonetheless.

There are many excellent websites also depending on your particular area of interest.

 

[kamagong]

Hey folks.

I know this subforum focuses a lot on traditional American/British patterns, but does anyone know how to get ahold of information about traditional knives from around the world? Perhaps a website or book I could look into?

Thanks,

Frosty

The term "traditional knives from around the world" is almost impossibly broad. Off the top of my head, that would include khukuris from Nepal, bolos from the Philippines, French Opinels and Laguioles, Finnish puukkos, Spanish Navajas, American bowies, Argentine punales, Yemeni jambiyas, Tibethan thees, and a whole bunch of others. Anything specific that you are interested in?

- Christian

 

[Cosmic Superchunk]

Most of the websites I've seen that are knife specific are generally aimed at a particular knife pattern. Thus, a site or blog discussing puukkos will only be about puukkos. Even within one country it's still possible to find find various knife patterns specific to certain regions as is the case with Spain.

 

[Frostyfingers]

Thanks, folks. I'm not looking for an exhaustive list, just a general profile of the most common patterns from around the world, those that are seen as representative of the countries from which they come. I guess I'll just have to do some looking country by country!

Frosty

 

[Berkley]

Here's a thread with a few: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/758619-Around-the-world-in-80-days...I-mean-knives?
Another good starting point: http://www.vikingsword.com/ethsword/index.html

 

[silenthunterstudios]

The current Blade price guide includes a chapter on ethnic knives. I would go with Bernard Levines 4th guide for the best info, IMHO.