Let us appreciate the Cane Knife.

[Houlahound]

Possibly one of the most specialised and used knives of modern history. This knife has been held by slaves, pioneers, colonists, migrants and land owners.

This knife created nations and has all but faded away and forgotten like it never was there.

As a child I actually watched black ash covered men methodically take down and stack entire fields of cane in the blistering hot tropical sun.

Good to hear any experience or knowledge you have of this forgotten worker.

 

[Henry Beige]

Mine came as one of five blades in a Big Box o’ Machetes from Machete Specialists or Sportsman’s guide. I have quite a few machetes. The cane knife is not one that I grab too readily when I am selecting a blade.

 

[NapalmCheese]

I was in Guam watching a guy shimmy up a palm tree and make short work of cleaning up the low hanging dead fronds. I remember he would chop a few, then stick in the knife in one, scoot around the to the other side and continue. Guam has a history of making some big Chamorro knives, but this guy was using a cane knife.

I bought a big knife/machete made by a local blacksmith (his apprentice really, he wasn't actively making knives at that point anymore) and not a cane knife, but to this day I still feel a need for one.

Someday I'll get around to buying one, I think we all need a cane knife!

 

[jideta]

In the olden days everyone here had one.
A cane knife was used to trim the hedges.

 

[NapalmCheese]

Update, I just ordered one because why not right? I was looking for an Imacasa (everyone knows Salvadoran machetes are better) but they were out so I guess I get to try an Tramontina!

 

[Houlahound]

Good fo

Update, I just ordered one because why not right? I was looking for an Imacasa (everyone knows Salvadoran machetes are better) but they were out so I guess I get to try an Tramontina!

Good for you, put the other one on back order so you have two. I trying to figure out which one has the longest handle.

 

[DocT]

I remember as a kid men cutting/chopping sugar cane to make syrup and sugar. Those local family owned mills and fields are long gone. It was hot, stinky work.

 

[Houlahound]

I remember as a kid men cutting/chopping sugar cane to make syrup and sugar. Those local family owned mills and fields are long gone. It was hot, stinky work.

The cane fields I knew as a kid are all prime suburbia now.

 

[3fifty7]

Tug at my heart strings why don’t you. I’m a 4th generation sugar cane farmer in Louisiana. We still cut cane by hand and make a 45-50 gallon batch of syrup every year. There are a dozen or so cane knives scattered throughout our shop at any time. I’m “restoring” one that was my fathers right now. I cleaned up the edge and hook then plum browned the blade. I’m going to rehandle it with natural micarta scales that will be extended to accommodate a hand and a half grip.

 

[The Zieg]

Pics?

Zieg

 

[3fifty7]

Pics?

Zieg

Syrup making or a pile of cane knives ?

 

[The Zieg]

Syrup making or a pile of cane knives ?

Either, both. I like this thread and I'd enjoy seeing what your experiences look like.

Zieg

 

[afishhunter]

"Historic Cane Knife" ... My first thought was of a knife (or sword/rapier) hidden in the shaft of a walking cane ... .
I think the closest I have to the type cane knife being discussed is a Cold Steel "Heavy Machete".
(Note I said "closest to the type". I'm not claiming the CS "Heavy Machete" is one.)

 

[USMCPOP]

In Thailand they generally use a slightly different style with a thicker, forged blade. Though it varies by region. Some have a stick tang and others have a integrally forged socket.

 

[3fifty7]

Ok so I’m may have exaggerated at a dozen but here is a decent pile. Plus most everyone carries one in their truck too.

Full disclosure I carry a Woodmans Pal in my truck but I think the heritage is still there.

Here are a couple in the works :

 

[MolokaiRider]

I use this a lot. This particular one gave me a good gash in my left tricep after swinging it back and the hook making contact with my arm.

Definitely an effective tool and useful. These have a lot of flex and “sing” loud!

 

[jideta]

I use this a lot. This particular one gave me a good gash in my left tricep after swinging it back and the hook making contact with my arm.

Definitely an effective tool and useful. These have a lot of flex and “sing” loud!
View attachment 1410297 View attachment 1410298

That's the one!
The cane knife as I remember it, was a sort of do all cutting tool.
You could cut the grass in the yard, trim the mango tree, cut up the mango, etc.
Getting a bit dull? just grab the file and work the edge some.
Like I said, seems like everyone had one.
I was swinging one when I was a little kid and no one ever told me to put it down.
I always thought it was a k-knife; I didn't get the cane part until I got a little older. I spoke with a strong pidgin accent back then (actually been documented as a creole, but that's another story)!

I can still remember seeing the cane fires out on the Ewa plain.
Sometimes the smoke would even drift in to Honolulu.
Agriculture is long gone; tourism and development killed it off in the 70s.
My grandmother grew up on a plantation camp on Maui.
You can still see the ruins of sugar mills, both 19th and 20th century.
The cane knife is an artifact from a long gone era.

 

[Houlahound]

The cane knife is an artifact from a long gone era.

Except it is still doing the same job it's always done to this day.