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Subject:ID of knife inscription - need help
Posted By: Craig Mon, Dec 01, 2014 IP: 67.53.255.114

Please help me identify the markings on a small knife I recently acquired.

Thanks



Subject:Re: ID of knife inscription - need help
Posted By: Bill H Tue, Dec 02, 2014

The Chinese simplified characters read from right to left as "Tie Dao Wang" (钢刀王), literally "Steel Blades King" but also indicated to be a company dating to the early Republic era (1912-49) and founded by a person named Wang Wanqing (王万清).

Here's the link to a Chinese language forum with further information and photos. Perhaps you can use Google or another translator program to get the gist of it.

Best regards,

Bill H.

URL Title :Steel Blades King


Subject:Re: ID of knife inscription - need help
Posted By: Super Wed, Dec 03, 2014

The problem is this:
The 钢 of the three Chinese characters 钢刀王 gang dao wang appears to be simplified Chinese, which was not invented till around 1948, therefore I cannot imagine this knife would be as old as 1912-1949. That is the problem when a poster only posted part of the object. Judging by its quality, I have to agree with Rat that this appears to be a very modern knife that was made in PROC and for every day kitchen use.

Subject:Re: ID of knife inscription - need help
Posted By: Bill H Thu, Dec 04, 2014

Regretfully I failed to point out that the "tie" was simplified and in any event didn't wish to suggest that the knife (unseen except for where marked) was a Republic piece. My intent was primarily to give Craig a lead for additional research.

Best regards,

Bill H.

Subject:Re: ID of knife inscription - need help
Posted By: Super Sat, Dec 06, 2014

Hi, Bill,

Please forgive me if I gave you the impression that I thought you suggested that it was a Republican piece. Again, when a poster failed to post the complete picture of any pieces, it put all of us who tried to help in great disadvantages.

Just curious, why did you pronounce 鋼 or 钢 as tie and not gāng? Again, no pun intended. Super

Subject:Re: ID of knife inscription - need help
Posted By: Bill H Sun, Dec 07, 2014

I stayed up past my bedtime and when looking up "steel" (gangtie), slept through "gang" and picked "tie" out of the pinyin compound. Really embarrassing! I almost never make such foolish mistrakes. :(
Bill H.

Subject:Re: ID of knife inscription - need help
Posted By: rat Tue, Dec 02, 2014

"King of the Steel Knives", seems to be a recent Chinese product.


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