View Full Version : Zulu knife ?
graeme gt
26th May 2010, 05:39 PM
Large Bowie style blade total length 17" has anyone seen Zulu's carrying knives? It has a braided wire loop with a really heavy brass chain (looks military) going through it.Would like to hear yous comments chaps.Thanks Graeme.
Lew
26th May 2010, 06:25 PM
Graeme
Sorry to say your knife seems to be something one picks up while traveling for pleasure. I have not seen an actual Zulu knife/dagger I saw a sword once but never a dagger. I would think if they did have one it would be similar to Shona daggers? Your knife reminds me of a European naval dagger with the chain and all :shrug:
Tim Simmons
26th May 2010, 06:31 PM
I have seen and handled this piece when it belonged to a collector not too far from where I live. It is indeed a nice piece. The chain is from military horse trapping. The blade is thin but very sharp. I see no reason it is not Zulu but it could be from many tribes in Southern Africa. We the British pushed then all around.
Lew
26th May 2010, 06:49 PM
Tim
I don't think this traditional Zulu dagger style if there ever was one as in the Shona daggers? This just seems to be a tribal copy of a European style dagger with the addition of Zulu wire work art.
Tim Simmons
26th May 2010, 07:57 PM
Talking about South African wire work. I have this piece. 109cm long I had to do some emergency repair work as there were a few areas where the wire was coming off. I fixed these areas with my own blend of wax and resin gunge much like any "native" would have. The whole thing can be run through your hands without any wire poking out to snag on.
graeme gt
26th May 2010, 11:13 PM
I am not sure about this piece but the wire work is tight and well done its not a bit of tourist tat (i hope and think) .The cross guard could have been made out of a flattened cartridge case .You have seen it Tim shoot from the hip what is your vibe man.
asomotif
27th May 2010, 06:45 AM
Maybe this piece was made by local a worksman to the style and liking of a European or other non Zulu person ?
Think of the Cikeruh / tjikeroe knives from Java.
They had local craftmanship with foreign style characteristics.
Tim Simmons
27th May 2010, 05:41 PM
Ok graeme, You got it from an auction house in Dorset. You will find that the chain is just long enough to fit over your shoulder with the knife between your body and arm. The chain is heavy too heavy for a helmet strap.
Lew
28th May 2010, 04:34 PM
I spoke with one of the UK's Zulu experts today and he said "Yes. Of course they did buy knives from white traders, and from the 20th c you see odd examples where they've tried to copy these - but they are not true 'Zulu knives'. Cheers! So Graeme yes your knife is of Zulu manufacture but there is no real stylized tribal form. I was also told that the Zulu used unhafted spearheads as daggers.
katana
28th May 2010, 06:07 PM
I spoke with one of the UK's Zulu experts today and he said "Yes. Of course they did buy knives from white traders, and from the 20th c you see odd examples where they've tried to copy these - but they are not true 'Zulu knives'. Cheers! So Graeme yes your knife is of Zulu manufacture but there is no real stylized tribal form. I was also told that the Zulu used unhafted spearheads as daggers.
I have seen a 'sheffield' Bowie with Zulu wirework, no pictures I'm afraid, but was obviously a traded/captured piece.
Regards David
graeme gt
30th May 2010, 08:44 AM
Thanks for your input guys.
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