Author Topic: So what is this, really?  (Read 2822 times)

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Offline Branson

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So what is this, really?
« on: July 28, 2013, 09:16:19 AM »
I have one of these, though factory made, and not as long.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=271247411547&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1120

The seller doesn't seem to be certain how to identify this tool, and I have long wondered what specific use it was designed to do.

Billman, do you have any ideas?

Offline rusty

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Re: So what is this, really?
« Reply #1 on: July 28, 2013, 11:48:06 AM »
Coconuts?
Just a weathered light rust/WD40 mix patina.

Offline Helleri

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Re: So what is this, really?
« Reply #2 on: July 28, 2013, 01:11:10 PM »
I would want to see pictures of yours first. It's easy to think that two items look the same given general form and materials. But, they can often be very different in the details.

...I will say though that is not a corn knife. corn knives are strait, wide and flat. they taper out from the base and have no tip (just a flat edge that meet the side edges at an acute angle).

...And tobacco knives are, what ever someone chooses to use for tabacco cutting...typically short to downright stubby though as it doesn't take a lot.
« Last Edit: July 28, 2013, 01:16:17 PM by Helleri »

Offline keykeeper

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Re: So what is this, really?
« Reply #3 on: July 28, 2013, 01:34:30 PM »
End of blade curves right....I would thing that is indicative of being made for a left handed person to cut close to the ground in full swing.

I would think it would be thicker to cut tobacco or corn.

My guess is for cutting sorghum or sugar cane for harvest.
-Aaron C.

My vintage tool Want list:
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Offline Helleri

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Re: So what is this, really?
« Reply #4 on: July 28, 2013, 02:21:56 PM »
If it were not for the handle I would say it looks more like a weapon. I don't see it working as a heavy cutter very well. Have you taken it out side and played around with using it different ways to see what works best for the design?

Offline Billman49

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Re: So what is this, really?
« Reply #5 on: July 29, 2013, 04:09:13 AM »
I would think the seller has got it fairly right - harvesting tool corn or tobacco - both require a medium weight tool - corn kniives tend to be a little heavier, like a lightweight machete - tobacco knives are often similar to a cabbage knife, like a heavy bread/meat knife... But there are no standard patterns, and home made tools can vary quite considerably...

Offline mikeswrenches

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Re: So what is this, really?
« Reply #6 on: July 29, 2013, 07:08:02 AM »
The ones I've seen for sugar cane used a much wider blade with no hook.  Cane is pretty tough stuff.

Mike
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Offline oldtools

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Re: So what is this, really?
« Reply #7 on: July 29, 2013, 02:22:29 PM »
Definitely not a Cane knife!!!..
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