In the Museum of the Royal Irish Academy is yet another variety, with the blade pierced in the centre (Fig. 258).
| Fig. 255.— Ballyclare. ½ | Fig. 256.— Reach Fen. ½ | Fig. 257.— Ballycastle. ½ | Fig. 258.— Ireland. ½ |
Before proceeding to describe some other symmetrical double-edged blades, it will be well to notice such, few examples as have been found of single-edged blades, like the ordinary knives of the present day. Abundant as these are, not only in the Lake-dwellings of Switzerland, but in France and other continental countries, they are of extremely rare occurrence in the British Isles.
In Fig. 259 I have engraved a small instrument of this kind, found at Wigginton, near Tring, Herts, the handle of which terminates in the head of an animal. It was therefore not intended for insertion into a haft of some other material.
I have another bronze knife, rather longer and narrower, and with a pointed tang, which is said to have been found in London; but of this I am by no means certain.
Fig. 259.—Wigginton. 1/1
The rude knife found with the Isle of Harty hoard, and shown full size as Fig. 260, is the only other English specimen with which I am acquainted, but no doubt more exist.