Culturally and Nationally sigificant knives?

[Solomonson]

I was thinking today about knives that are culturally/nationally significant? Without getting into all the military and culinary offerings, I was thinking about knives that are quickly associated with a given culture/nation?

For example, in the US, that might mean the Bowie, the Barlow, the canoe, the Stockman and the Trapper. In Canada it might mean the Grohmann Knife. In Italy, the stiletto. In Japan, the Higonokami. In the Czech Republic, the Rybička or fish knife. In France both the Opinel and the Laguiole knives. In Nepal the famous khukuri.

I was curious about other such cultural/national knives, both folders and fixed blades? Thanks.

 

[Obturation]

An ulu is a knife Inuit folks used.

 

[ilbob]

I think you are too much of a knife person. I think the only knife most people would associate with the US would be the Bowie. it's pretty iconic and is starred in a number of movies as well.

The kukri is also pretty iconic.

The machete is iconic in jungle and rainforest areas.

That's probably about it for what most people would think of.

 

[rust collector]

How about a Turkish scimitar? Those impressed us in elementary school anyway. And the Japanese swords wielded by ninjas? The mighty katana!

 

[Solomonson]

How about a Turkish scimitar?

Even better:

 

[Solomonson]

I think you are too much of a knife person. I think the only knife most people would associate with the US would be the Bowie. it's pretty iconic and is starred in a number of movies as well.

The kukri is also pretty iconic.

The machete is iconic in jungle and rainforest areas.

That's probably about it for what most people would think of.

Why would you post the above?

 

[entropy]

Pukko!

 

[Solomonson]

Pukko!

The Finnish Puukko is an excellent example of what I'm curious about. Thanks.

 

[DocRock]

Kunjars in the Gulf. We used to get them for all kinds of things: from golf tournament trophies, to shooting competitions, to horse races and as business gifts. Mostly of the gaudy, ceremonial variety. I think we still have two decent ones in the salon.

 

[joneb]

The Finnish Puukko is an excellent example of what I'm curious about. Thanks.

https://scandinavianoutdoor.com/gear/knives-and-tools/puukko-knives/
My wife's family is from Finland, the Lapin Puukko is a handy tool.

 

[theotherwaldo]

Down here on the Border you'll see fancy personalized machetes hanging on folks' walls.

 

[.308 Norma]

I was thinking about knives that are quickly associated with a given culture/nation?

It's probably just because of Hollywierd, but in the minds of most people in the US, I think any switchblade knife is pretty much associated with the misguided American youth of the '50s and early '60s.

 

[ilbob]

Why would you post the above?

from the OP.

I was thinking about knives that are quickly associated with a given culture/nation?

Unless you are a serious knife person, there are not a whole lot of blades most would associate quickly with any particular culture/nation.

 

[DDeegs]

Navaja. From Spain

 

[Whiterook808]

I associate this type of sailor's knife with England. It has a marlin spike and a sheepsfoot blade.

 

[toivo]

As you might guess from my username and icon pic, I am of Finnish ancestry. The puukko is something I've been familiar with from a very young age. My mother's parents used to make regular trips back to Finland (by ship, telling you how long ago this was) and it seems to me that my brother and I got a new puukko out of every trip. Most people recognize the standard with the birch handle (see below), but there are regional variations, like handles made out of stacked leather or bone.

 

[SharpDog]

Horace Kephart Bushcrafter:

https://www.realworldsurvivor.com/2018/06/12/horace-kephart/

Nessmuk Ideal knife:

http://www.knivesillustrated.com/the-nessmuk-ideal-a-knifes-history/

and for @tolvo I would include a Leuku. Here is the CPM-3v Benchmade Leuku I just received:



Although a Helle would be more authentic:



https://smile.amazon.com/Helle-1010318610-Lappland-Knife/dp/B001EZ2DTG?ref_=ast_sto_dp

 

[Boattale]

Canadian belt knife.

Rapala fillet.

Buck 110

 

[Solomonson]

I associate this type of sailor's knife with England. It has a marlin spike and a sheepsfoot blade.

View attachment 959768

Rigger's knife!

 

[Whiterook808]

We always called them rigging knives, but I didn't think most would recognize the term. Mine is an Iberson made in Sheffield. I haven't been sailing in years!

 

[DDDWho]

If I want a Kukuri I want a Kukuri made in Nepal. If I want a Bowie I want one made in America. Anything else is hypocritical fluff.

 

[Mn Fats]

It's probably just because of Hollywierd, but in the minds of most people in the US, I think any switchblade knife is pretty much associated with the misguided American youth of the '50s and early '60s.

Yes. The first thing that came to mind for me was the Bowie immediately followed by the Switchblade. Both seem to fit into, and stand out, in certain era's of American history. Whether it be genuine or Hollywood.

Reality would be in America the pocket knife reigns (or reigned) supreme. Most Male adults had one on them and every kid wanted one and those who didnt, already had one. Whether it be a peanut, stockman, trapper even the swiss army.

 

[Boattale]

To me, Buck 110 screams USA in the '70's. Also Schrade Walden stockman. Those were the ones for me then.

 

[Whiterook808]

My first thought for the US was the cub scout knife. That was my first knife and most of my friends had something similar.

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

Balisong knives have long been associated with the Philippines.