Strange African piece

[Freddy]

This is something I traded last week. I have seen a lot of African knives in all sorts of shapes, but this one is new to me.

Is it a sickle knife or a throwing knife ?

The knife is made out of one solid piece of iron with a handle consisting of some cloth covered with leather. The top part of the knife is sharp on three edges. It also has some decoration (zigzag pattern, dots).

Any comment is welcome.

Total length : 53 cm

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding002-18.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding003-13.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding004-15.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding005-14.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding006-10.jpg

[Luc LEFEBVRE]

Are the decorations engraved on the both sides ?
And is there a flat side and the other rounded ?
Strange form, never see some like this.
Surely from Chad, but south or north (Tibesti) ?

[Freddy]

Luc, both sides are rounded.

The seller also thought it came from Chad, but he wasn't sure.

I have indicated the sharp edges on this piece with red arrows (hope you can see them). This piece is extremely sharp. You can easily cut paper with it.

On the other side there's some decoration (zigzag pattern) on the top part of the blade.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding003-pijlen.jpg

[Mauro]

Freddy, I agree with the indication of Luc. Most probably Tchad but also I have never seen this form. Very interesting form of throwing knife. I don't understand if the zig zag has been locally erased. Luc asked if one side is flat and the other convex and the decoration are only on one side and nothiung in the reverse. is it like this ? Mauro

[Freddy]

Most of the decoration is on one side. On the other side there's only some decoration on the top part of the blade, nothing on the 'stem' of the weapon.

The piece is quite heavy. I doubt if it was used as a throwing knife. It seems more something to 'hack', similar like the Congolese sickle knives. That's also why there is no 'hollow' side of the blade, I think.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding009-12.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Afbeelding010-3.jpg

[Tim Simmons]

Curious European stampings on the blade? Forged from scrap metal? deadly.