Waist knife

　　Many minority nationality people have a custom to wear a waist knife, so do the Tibetan people. Usually, almost everyone wears a waist knife which is used for production, living, self-defense and decoration. There are three kinds- long, short and small knives. The longest one is more than one meter, the short one about 40cm and the small one over 10cm. Made from delicately processed steel, Tibetan knife is bright and sharp. The handle is made with cow horn or wood wound with silver, copper or iron threads. The top of the handle is inlaid with copper or iron sheet, or silver decoration. The sheath is wrapped in copper or silver. Some are carved with flower or animal design, or even inlaid with jewels. Actually, they have become an arts and crafts item. Lhasa, Damxung, Lhaze, Yi'ong and Qamdo are well known for the production of the Tibetan knife, favored not only by local people, but also by domestic and for-eign tourists.