Tribal Knife

Name/Title

Tribal Knife

Entry/Object ID

224; Full Code: 224.68.110-KN-NB

Tags

Knife

Description

This is a smaller, more specialized version of the Poshina Bhil knife, hand-forged by the same traditional blacksmiths of Poshina, North Gujarat. While the larger version is a versatile "life-support" tool, this compact variant is designed specifically for high-precision tasks and daily utility within the Bhil community. The Blade: It maintains the characteristic upward-swept recurve of the Poshina school but on a more refined scale. The belly of the blade is shorter and more acute, designed for controlled slicing, carving, and skinning. The surface retains the "grey-forged" patina indicative of traditional open-hearth quenching processes. The Handle: Consistent with the larger model, it features a hooked-beak pommel crafted from local hardwood. The bolster is reinforced with a simple brass sleeve, a common feature in tribal tools to prevent the wood from splitting under tension. This specific beak shape is a mechanical "fail-safe" ensuring the knife remains locked in the palm even if the user's hands are wet or oily. The Scabbard: It is paired with a rugged, utilitarian black leather sheath that follows the dramatic curve of the blade. Unlike the crimson velvet version, this sheath is built for the "Process reliant" environment of a working forest dweller, prioritizing protection and rapid deployment over ceremonial aesthetics.

Made/Created

Manufacturer

Dharma Panchal of Poshina

Date made

circa 2019

Ethnography

Cultural Region

City

Poshina, Gujarat

Dimensions

Dimension Description

10"

Length

7 in

Material

HCS

Acquisition

Acquisition Method

Purchase

Place

City

Poshina, Gujarat