Chinese Fisherman's Knife

Amber-brown crescent with a dark metal collar and a swinging ring.

This fisherman's knife is from Dongbei or Shan Xi Province, China, and dates to the 19th century. It is iron, wood & horn. Knives of iron with wooden or horn handles were everyday tools in rural northern China, where they were used for cutting line, cleaning fish and general work. Broad curved body in rich brown, glossy and slightly translucent toward the right-hand tip. A dark metal fitting at the left is riveted on and carries a small loose ring. It is 7 inches wide and 1.25 deep.

A warm, simple curve with decent manners.