NEED HELP - Cultural Knife Resurrection

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Blongathan

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Hello everyone,

First off, I am new to this site and the only reason why I made this site is to find information on what I needed. HOWEVER, I do have a weird fixation on knives (or anything that can be sharpen). I am picky about the knives I buy. (but I don't know what is good).

Now the real deal: (And please be patient for I am a nooby in the world of metal and knives).

I am an Asian American and my ethnic is Hmong. Back in the days when my parents-grandparents lived in the jungles of Laos, they depended on one certain knife to do everything they could possibly ask for. And that is the Hmong Knife. Some examples they use it for: Cooking, butchering, wood working, hunting, and etc. This knife was well rounded and the Hmong people who are left in the Jungle still carry these knives everyday with pride.

I am looking for a blacksmith with a quote of how much it'll cost to make one of these knives using Damascus steel. I understand that Damascus steel can only be imitate, but closer to the hardness is fine. All I want from the black smith is the steel (along with their signature beveled in the bottom shaft of the knife). I will make the handle myself because there is a certain look I want it to be.

Why am I asking for such a thing?
My culture is dying, and I want to revive our pride in our ethnic.
A lot of people who make these use poor scrap metals with no understanding of the metal
Please help.

I will take offers. Best way to contact is via email (blongolo@hotmail.com).

Thanks for your patience!

This is the knife I am looking for.
Dimensions: About 8 inches long with a 2 and a half inch wide area.

hmongknives2.jpg



And please let anyone know who you think might be able to do this. I would appreciate it! thanks
 
Hopefully someone can help you. The knife-maker forum is the place to go.

By the way, welcome to bladeforums. I hope you will continue to visit and contribute.
 
Locutus D'Borg said:
Hopefully someone can help you. The knife-maker forum is the place to go.

By the way, welcome to bladeforums. I hope you will continue to visit and contribute.
Click to expand...


Thanks! You guys are already a big help. I'll keep you guys updated on what I'm planning to do with the knife if and whenever I get it!
 
(Sorry this is a repost but I was told to come here)

Hello everyone,

First off, I am new to this site and the only reason why I made this site is to find information on what I needed. HOWEVER, I do have a weird fixation on knives (or anything that can be sharpen). I am picky about the knives I buy. (but I don't know what is good).

Now the real deal: (And please be patient for I am a nooby in the world of metal and knives).

I am an Asian American and my ethnic is Hmong. Back in the days when my parents-grandparents lived in the jungles of Laos, they depended on one certain knife to do everything they could possibly ask for. And that is the Hmong Knife. Some examples they use it for: Cooking, butchering, wood working, hunting, and etc. This knife was well rounded and the Hmong people who are left in the Jungle still carry these knives everyday with pride.

I am looking for a blacksmith with a quote of how much it'll cost to make one of these knives using Damascus steel. I understand that Damascus steel can only be imitate, but closer to the hardness is fine. All I want from the black smith is the steel (along with their signature beveled in the bottom shaft of the knife). I will make the handle myself because there is a certain look I want it to be.

Why am I asking for such a thing?
My culture is dying, and I want to revive our pride in our ethnic.
A lot of people who make these use poor scrap metals with no understanding of the metal
Please help.

I will take offers. Best way to contact is via email (blongolo@hotmail.com).

Thanks for your patience!

This is the knife I am looking for.
Dimensions: About 8 inches long with a 2 and a half inch wide area.

hmongknives2.jpg



And please let anyone know who you think might be able to do this. I would appreciate it! thanks
 
Welcome! I would love to see the finished product too. Some of the knifemakers on here are some of the best craftsman around. Good Luck!
 
I think it will be a great way for you to keep with your traditions! I think that you and your people will help to keep traditions alive here in the USA as well as in other parts of the world where the Hmong have settled.

I do want to ask why you want damascus though? I'm pretty sure that traditional Hmong knives of the last Century were probably fabricated from spring steel salvaged from truck springs and it was not low-quality "scrap" metal. These perform incredibly well and this method is still used worldwide by many countries and cultures. Why not stick with the traditional source?
 
CWL said:
I think it will be a great way for you to keep with your traditions! I think that you and your people will help to keep traditions alive here in the USA as well as in other parts of the world where the Hmong have settled.

I do want to ask why you want damascus though? I'm pretty sure that traditional Hmong knives of the last Century were probably fabricated from spring steel salvaged from truck springs and it was not low-quality "scrap" metal. These perform incredibly well and this method is still used worldwide by many countries and cultures. Why not stick with the traditional source?
Click to expand...


Main reason is... I want to resurrect it with a whole new life form and look.
A lot of the Hmong knives I've seen were made from scrap metal that were easily chipped. It's hard to find someone who really understands how to make one. The tips can be fragile, however a good Hmong knife will withstand most of the beating. My family has a Hmong knife passed down from generations and it still has its tip, compare to a few we bought were used in the same ideal functions, yet they couldn't withstand it. (I don't know the difference of the metal between the knives, but I want to be safe at the same time).

My parents gave up on finding another family heirloom, so I'm putting myself up to this job.
 
I've read about the Hmong culture and have come to respect their reputation for courage and loyalty. I would consider it an honor to help you pass along the culture to your descendants. Email sent.
 
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