hole in front of knife blade

[moccasintracks]

I have a knife from Brazil that has about a five inch blade.

There is a hole about one inch from the tip and on the center line of the blade that is about 1/4 inch in diameter. What is its purpose. Also there is a slot about one inch forward of the guard that is about 1/8 inch wide and 1/2 inch deep in a 1&1/4 inch wide blade. What purpose are these served by.

I will attempt to get my daughter to take a picture and post it when she gets home.

The blade is carbon steel and is part of a set with a double sheath with a 13 -14 inch bowie as the large blade and this as the smaller piggy back blade.

While the handles are cheap, the metal seems good, and I would like to know something about the purpose for the things in the small blade.

Thanks and sorry I can't describe it better. P

Pictures to follow

 

[moccasintracks]

Sorry for quality, the batteries went dead, and I have to get some more, but maybe you can see the parts I mentioned.

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/moccasintracks/DCFC0077.jpg?t=1203636802


http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x162/moccasintracks/DCFC0076.jpg?t=1203636844

 

[weaver]

I saw a military type knife made sort of like that one time. The hole and slot were made to work with the sheath to make a wire cutter. This looks like a cheap copy of the idea. Something trying to look like more than it is.

 

[Bootstrap Bob]

There is a hole about one inch from the tip and on the center line of the blade that is about 1/4 inch in diameter. What is its purpose.

I could be wrong but I think the hole is there to provide a fulcrum for slicing. It seems I'm not the first to think of this As they say nothing in the world is new!

For those who are struggling I'll try to explain a little better, imagine a vertical piece of wood fastened down securely to a chopping board and then put a nail horizontally into this piece of wood at about an inch from the base. Now slide the knife over the nail through the hole and hey presto you have a guillotine of sorts.
Just slide whatever you want to slice from the side, e.g. a carrot and move the handle up and down as you slide the carrot in.

 

[Buckshot]

I agree Bob.
The Skokom bush tool (designed by Mors) has a similar hole for exactly that purpose I think.

 

[h2o]

I saw a military type knife made sort of like that one time. The hole and slot were made to work with the sheath to make a wire cutter. This looks like a cheap copy of the idea. Something trying to look like more than it is.

was a kalshnikov sheath maybe

 

[Warrigal]

I have seen holes in the end of machetes ( in that position near the front) so you can insert a stick to provide a secure grip so you can use it as a draw knife.
http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/images/200/8401_w2.jpg
In bayonets the wire cutter holes are normally elongated or slotted so they "lock in".
http://www.areseod.com/catalog/M9-640-72.jpg
A series of different sized holes to use as a range finder.
Extend the cord, place the end at your chin and each hole covers 18inches at the marked distance. ( why you would waste time with that I'm not clear)
http://www.amronintl.com/ItemImages/bladetech_66022.jpg
Or as a tool to straighten bush made arrows
http://news.webshots.com/photo/1062445239032835624tFAGiX
I must admit that big slot at the rear of the blade concerns me. If it gunna break that is where it'll go. Dunno why they would do that.
Carl

 

[Draven]

Bob's suggestion seems to be an excellent idea, though not for that knife IMO; the presence of the guard, coupled with the location of the hole in relation to the edge of the knife and its point seems to me that it would be very difficult to get anything but partially-sliced carrots. And if it doesn't have a matching part on the sheath, I fail to see how it could be used as a wire cutter either; or why you would need one... personally, if I was going to be working with wires I'd bring wire cutters rather than a knife, but that's just me and completely besides the point

I vote for Weaver's:

Something trying to look like more than it is.

People look at it and think "I wonder what those holes are for! But it was designed by someone who knew MUCH more about knives than me, so I'm sure they have an amazingly ingenius purpose that I would NEVER have thought of!"

Reminds me a bit of the Calvin & Hobbes quote:

Hey Mom, I saw a bunch of products on TV that I didn't know existed, but I desperately need!

No offence to the threadstarter, I don't mean to suggest that you're being immature or superficial, or even that the knife is no good. I just see no realistic purpose for them, and therefore see them as a liability more than anything else.

However, seeing as it's designed to be used in conjunction with the larger knife, you won't be needing to batton it and breaking should be a pretty small concern.

peace